Abscess treatment question

[Wubymom]

Our older pig (about a year now) has an abscess under his chin.

I was wondering if anyone has ever had success with watching and seeing. He is active as ever and eats plenty.

I am not opposed to a vet visit (we are about 3 minutes away from THE cavy vets in the state.) However, they only lanced it last time and gave us antibiotics. It healed slowly, but nicely. I an typically a low-intervention person anyway. Husband is home all day and as in tune with the boys as I am, so I know that he would pick up if there was something off.

 

[bpatters]

Abscesses generally don't respond well to watching and waiting, in my opinion. Usually if they're just lanced, you get sent home with instructions to flush it several times a day.

The other thing is, it could be lymphadenitis, which is pretty contagious and can go through a whole herd. If it were me, I'd take him back and ask for a little more aggressive treatment this time.

 

[SurfingPigs]

Ditto bpatters, an abscess is better off treated than watching and waiting. It is prudent to have the abscess cultured in case it is a real nasty bacteria in there. Waiting and watching can turn into watching an abscess burst and having a big issue on your hands.