Abscesses in Guinea Pigs

Optimal treatment for your guinea pig requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your animal does not rapidly improve.

Make certain you administer all prescribed medications at the appropriate time intervals. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you are having difficulties treating your guinea pig as prescribed. If you are having problems, it may be best to hospitalize your guinea pig to assure that a proper course of treatment is administered.

Guinea pigs that are being treated for abscesses should be isolated from other animals to prevent transmission of infectious agents. Caretakers should wear a dust mask when handling the waste of guinea pigs. To reduce dust, use a misting bottle filled with disinfectant to moisten excrement before handling.

For skin abscesses, make certain that the abscess stays open so it will heal from the inside to the outside.

If a surgically opened abscess closes over, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Clinical changes associated with an abscess should begin to improve within 24 to 48 hours after the abscess has been surgically opened, and antimicrobial therapy has been initiated. If your guinea pig does not respond within this time period, you should contact your veterinarian. As the abscess heals, it should begin to decrease in size, drainage should decrease, inflammation should decrease and the guinea pig's general condition should improve.