Need fast help with Bailey

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kleenmama
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:38 am


Long story short, Bailey had something going on with her eye starting on the 18th of November. It looked red and inflamed, so I started her on Bactrim that SAturday night and also the triple AB drops. Took her to the vet on Sunday the 19th. They did a stain and said she had a scratch, to discontinue the oral AB and gave me triple AB eye ointment to put on 4 times a day.
It looked like it was getting better that week, but on Saturday the 25th I thought I noticed increased swelling, so I re-started her on BActrim.
By Monday morning the eye was the size of a dime and protruding out of her head, so back into the vet on Monday and they removed her eye Tuesday morning.
The vet said there was no tumors, no sign of infection, but that the eyeball itself had ruptured and she came home Tuesday afternoon with Metcam and Bactrim. The vet said she put some terramycin into the eye socket to stop any infection, and as I said, she is on Bactrim.
Thursday morning, I thought her eye smelt funky, so I started her back on the triple antibiotic ointment. When I went in last night to do her meds, pus was literally pouring out of the eye socket and it stinks like a dead animal.
It is thin yellow sticky pus, not like abscess, but like active infection.
I'm so pissed, because I believe the only way we can have that kind of infection that quick is with lousy unsterile procedures during surgery.
She goes back in today, but I'm unsure what to ask for! She is already on Bactrim and the triple eye ointment.

I have to get this under control. Anyone have any good suggestions? This is the only vet here I really trust, I don't think most here have any idea what to do for pigs. This is the exotics specialist.

I have a 2:30 appt but have to leave by 12:15 so any hurried help before I leave will be appreciated.

She did leave a tiny opening at the eye so in case of infection, we can syringe if needed, but I was afraid to syringe into the eye socket for fear of pushing the crap into her brain or something. Not sure the tip of the syringe is small enough, but I still have that tiny tool from my old vet I can use and I have Hibitane cleanser.

Forgive typing errrors, am rushed of course. She is eating great, by the way, and shows no sign of pain unless I gently rub on the eye to removed the pus, which just pours out.

I've smelled abscesses, stinky boar butts, nothing compares to this. It smells like when you throw raw chicken away and then smell it in the garbage 3 days later. In summer. Yuck. Help?

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:41 am


Ack - poor pig!

You might consider switching a/bs to something like Chlor or Baytril? Presumably you'll get a culture, but you'll need something in the meantime, and it sounds as if the bactrim isn't working.

It sounds really bad - I hope you can get it under control.

kleenmama
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:44 am


I have BAytril, but it's not great at penetrating pus. Every pig I've ever used it on has gone off their feed, but I do have it here. We can start with an injection of it we need to.
Won't the culture be screwed up if she has been on AB's for a week?

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:46 am


As I understand it, if the a/b is working then the culture may come back sterile.

What about chloramphenicol?

kleenmama
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:51 am


I have none here but I can ask for it. What a frigging mess. And she is such a little trouper, she is still eating like a champ.

I'll have them culture it. Won't that take some time? I MISS MY OLD VETS BACK HOME!!
Sorry, had to rant.

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RavenShade
Thanks for the Memories

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:10 pm


Would a drain be useful?

When I couldn't kick an eye infection with Jules, we had the culture done. I think it took a day or two for the results. I don't remember it being too long.

Poor girl. Teramyicin worked for us, but that wasn't the same type of infection. Sounds like she might need something systemic and not just topical, but that's my unprofessional guess.

Would your new vet be open to consulting with the old vet (and vice versa)? Whenever my vet gets stumped, he calls a collegue.

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luvmypigs2

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:15 pm


Can you call your old vet for advice?

kleenmama
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:15 pm


I'm not sure about a drain, I guess I can ask. The trouble with these vets is they don't think they are stumped. They think they are the best.
Now her poor eye is so matted, nothing comes out. So I'm going to try and moisten it up and remove the dried pus.
Do you think I should try to flush if I can find an opening? These guys heal so fast from the outside first..

I have to get the hay orders processed for Bob before 10, so I'm doing that now, then will work on the eye.

chii
I Love Lucy

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:31 pm


Chloramphenicol can be used in conjunction with other antibiotics, so it might help to add that. I also second asking if it's possible for them to put in a drain.

I'd be hesitant to flush it until you get an OK from a vet... I have no idea how all that stuff up there connects.

kleenmama
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:37 pm


I will call my old vet as soon as I get Bob going. I'll see if they will let me add Chlor. That is why I was scared to flush, chii. Last thing I need to do is shove the infection into her brain or something.

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luvmypigs2

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:39 pm


I don't know if this is a possibility, but how far is your old vet?

chii
I Love Lucy

Post   » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:43 pm


You could also ask your vet to call Dr. Sullivan at the Animal Eye Clinic here in Seattle to consult. He's the one who fixed up Chip's eye when everyone else swore it would have to be taken out. He'd be able to tell them if it's for sure safe to flush or what you should do.

I'm not sure what the best combination with Chlor is... could be Baytril, but I can't remember. I want to say I've used it with Bactrim in the past, but I'm just not sure. Bactrim is more of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, so I'd ask about that.

I wonder if you shouldn't ask about Doxy as well. Might be better than Chloramphenicol for this type of infection, though I swear we used Chlor for my pig with a lymph node abcess.

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