[Gpdd] HEALTH: update on Tumbleweed's abscess

[Cindy]

Tumbleweed has had many ups and downs in regard to his abscess, and I am 
very worried about him.  Almost two weeks ago, his pal, Friday (or Dr. 
Friday) informed us that the abscess might be back.  Sure enough, it 
was, and had to be lanced again.  My vet sent off for a culture, and 
unfortunately we learned that he has MRSA.  That upset me very much.  
Although we already were washing our hands after holding him, etc., we 
now are taking more precautions (I wear a mask and gloves when cleaning 
his cage, for example).  Fortunately, though, Baytril is effective 
against MRSA, and my vet had already put Tumbleweed back on Baytril 
before the culture results came back.

Now, though, despite eating and eating, Tumbleweed has lost four ounces 
in two days!  I was shocked when I weighed him today and he was only one 
pound, twelve ounces.  I couldn't believe the scale was correct.

We've been giving acidophilus a couple of hours before the Baytril and 
also giving Reglan as needed.  He doesn't seem to be in discomfort and 
until today was actually running to his water bottle instead of just 
sauntering.  I thought for sure his weight would be up instead of down.  
Can antibiotics cause a piggie to lose weight even if the piggie is 
feeling better and eating well? 

Any thoughts, info, advice, etc. would be much appreciated.

TIA,
Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Dr. Friday