Facial abscess surgery - pics and pica behavior?

[Nekopan]

My boy Kielbasa developed an abscess on his face - I was certain it was an abscess due to how quickly it popped up and the way it felt, though I couldn't see an entry wound. I have successfully dealt with abscesses before, but because of the location (directly under his jaw) I feared it might be a tooth abscess and I didn't want to take any chances. He saw a vet with my boyfriend as I'm working like crazy. Vet urged us to do surgery ASAP. She wasn't entirely sure it was an abscess.

So, $450 later, my Basa has a big gaping hole in his face and no more abscess. However, since I wasn't able to attend the appointment I don't really know the details. I know that they did not extract any teeth but I'm not sure if a tooth was the origin of the abscess. :wallbang:

I was given chlorhexidine with which to flush the hole three times a day, buprenorphine 200mcg/ml to give 0.03 ml orally twice a day for three days, and chlor palm 250mg to give 0.38 ml twice a day for 10 days. I don't know his weight offhand but he's around 550g. Are these doses okay and is the chlor palm a long enough course?

The vet recommended keeping him separate from the colony. I think it's probably a good idea for now, but how long until he can go back in with the others? She also made my boyfriend buy Oxbow Critical Care. It appears to be mostly for herbivorous animals like rabbits and I wonder if I should even bother giving it. It appears to be made mostly from timothy hay.

 

[victoria]

I think the Chlorpalm dose sounds high (I haven't double checked that) but if it's been given to prevent infection, 10 is long enough. I personally have never had any luck getting my rats to take Critical Care, I don't think it's bad for them but they wanted nothing to do with it. Baby food/cereal or Ensure are easier to get into them if needed. The one thing I will add though is Chlorpalm always gives my guys diarrhea (and sometimes weight loss), giving it with CC will make more likely/severe I would think.

Separating rats after surgery depends on the surgery and the rats, but I think after a few days it's important to at least have them play with the others if possible so they do not get so lonely. Once he's done the opiates you can start judging when to try to reintegrate him.

 

[jorats]

Can't help with the dosing but wishing your boy good luck.
I don't think I'd bother with the critical care though. It's not bad for them, but I can't see them really liking it in the first place.

 

[Nekopan]

So, he still seems really lumpy, and I know he's going to be swollen from the surgery, but I feel like I paid $450 for an abscess surgery that they only half-assed. My boyfriend mentioned that the vet said something about not wanting to get too close to his jaw, and he might need another surgery later? :gaah:

There's a lot of pus/abscess-y gunk still in it. I pulled a bunch out after hot compresses today. Here are some pictures:

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Also, I caught him eating litter from his box twice! Is pica "normal" after surgery/anaesthetic? Should I take away anything he tries to eat that he shouldn't?

 

[jorats]

My sister's rat had a tooth abscess but it was directly under the jaw. It left a big hole, we had to be careful flushing it because it was open inside as well. It didn't end well for Tanzy but it does look differently than your boy.
I would continue to flush it out and wait for it to heal from the inside out and hopefully that will be it. It's very hard dealing with something like this especially if the vet can't specifically see if it does involve a tooth.

 

[lilspaz68]

Sadly Pica is normal with buprenorphine (opiate). I would go back and see if you vet will give you metacam instead. or even Torbugesic. I just went through a pica session with inca and she ripped open her incision.

Does the cavity go into the mouth? Poor love it doesn't look like did much finessing on your $450 surgery. I think you need to go for a re-check and to sit down with the vet to get ALL the information.

 

[Nekopan]

I agree that I need to talk to the vet. I have a recheck scheduled in a week, which I hope I will have the day off and can go then. Otherwise maybe I should give the clinic a call, and see if the vet will give me the scoop over the phone. The incision does not go into his mouth. The buprenorphine is only another day's worth, but I can't decide if I should take away the litter for now. There isn't anything else in there he's trying to eat, but I guess he could go for the fleece.

Right now I'm just going to treat it as I would any other abscess. Lots of hot compresses, removing any pus I can, flushing with the chlorohexidine and/or sterile saline. Rissa suggested I try packing the area with granulated sugar, has anyone tried that with any success?