How to identify and treat cysts and abscesses in guinea pigs
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What are cysts and abscesses?
Cysts and abscesses are extremely similar. Both are a pocket of pus, generally causing pain, inflammation and swelling. Cysts and abscesses most often occur on the jaw line, rump and backs of guinea pigs, but can occur anywhere on the guinea pig’s body and be the result of a hay poke, cut or scratch, or fighting.
How do they occur?
Cysts and abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection in the skin. Some guinea pigs are much more prone to cysts and abscesses and may have recurring issues with them.
How can you identify them?
Cysts or abscesses begin as small lumps, sometimes hard and other times soft as if filled with fluid. Your guinea pig is usually tender around the area and will have an obvious lump or you may notice a slight amount of fluid on the skin in that area.
How do you treat them?
Any lump should be seen by a vet to determine if it is a cyst, abscess or other kind of lump such as a fatty lump or tumour. Once correctly diagnosed, cysts are either drained and disinfected daily or may require surgery to remove. It is important that you do not treat this or burst these yourself without vet consultation. If left untreated, cysts and abscesses grow and effect a greater area causing a substantial amount of increased pain and treatment time.
When should you see a vet?
As soon as you notice any kind of lump on your guinea pig you should seek the advice of a vet as soon as possible to diagnose and decide upon treatment. The lump may need to be drained or surgically removed, and antibiotics prescribed to treat the infection. The abscess/cyst will need to be cleaned daily by the owner.
Cysts and abscesses are extremely similar. Both are a pocket of pus, generally causing pain, inflammation and swelling. Cysts and abscesses most often occur on the jaw line, rump and backs of guinea pigs, but can occur anywhere on the guinea pig’s body and be the result of a hay poke, cut or scratch, or fighting.
How do they occur?
Cysts and abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection in the skin. Some guinea pigs are much more prone to cysts and abscesses and may have recurring issues with them.
How can you identify them?
Cysts or abscesses begin as small lumps, sometimes hard and other times soft as if filled with fluid. Your guinea pig is usually tender around the area and will have an obvious lump or you may notice a slight amount of fluid on the skin in that area.
How do you treat them?
Any lump should be seen by a vet to determine if it is a cyst, abscess or other kind of lump such as a fatty lump or tumour. Once correctly diagnosed, cysts are either drained and disinfected daily or may require surgery to remove. It is important that you do not treat this or burst these yourself without vet consultation. If left untreated, cysts and abscesses grow and effect a greater area causing a substantial amount of increased pain and treatment time.
When should you see a vet?
As soon as you notice any kind of lump on your guinea pig you should seek the advice of a vet as soon as possible to diagnose and decide upon treatment. The lump may need to be drained or surgically removed, and antibiotics prescribed to treat the infection. The abscess/cyst will need to be cleaned daily by the owner.
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