[Gpdd] [HEALTH]<abcess>

[Janneke Staaks]

Hi stacy,
 
In the netherlands we almost always wait until an abcess ripens and bursts on its own. When that has happened we try to keep the hole als clean al possible. We do this either by holding the abcess onder the water tap and flush (not a nice approach but one of the best approaches to get it really clean) If that is not an option, we use a syringe and squirt water in the hole to keep it clean and open. You have to do this around three times a day in order to keep the hole open (more is better). If a scab turns up, you need to peel it of (this is particularly nasty, i prefer to soak them first in warm water with something that disinfects the wound, which makes the scab soft). You have to keep doing this as long as possible.
 
If the abcess is particularly uncomfortable (or the opening too small once it has burst), you can have the vet lance it. It is always a good idea to use a oral antibiotic. My vet also put a cream with antibiotics (cafsalve) in the hole with jan the boar when he had an abcess. There are many dutchies that fill the hole with this cream everytime after cleaning it.
 
In the netherlands surgery is only used when the abcess keeps coming back. Especially the throat area is prone to this, so once it is healed keep a really good eye on it. If i remember correctly, there's a lymphnode in there which is known to cause abcesses.
 
About the feeding of baytrill (i tasted it too! And i'm allergic so i usually end up with a swollen lip.. it's really yukkie, isn't it). I just put it in a syringe and feed it to yaya. I wrap her in a towel so that she really has no other choice. What you can do is dip the syringe in something yummie like jam/jelly or yoghurt. Some dutch people have had good results with mixing up the antibiotic with honey. Even if they dont like it (which they usually do) it is so sticky that eating it is the only option to get rid of it. 
 
Good luck with both your pigs!
Janneke
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