Buttercup poses with her toy carrot

How’s that for an article title?! If anything, it’s even more proof of what a tough year it’s been for Ms. Buttercup.

As our friends are most likely aware, Buttercup, the guinea pig, has been battling a persistent tooth infection since early this year.

After several rounds of antibiotics, a multitude of treatments, and hundreds of hours of care, the infection still hasn’t healed. Partly, this is due to her tooth infection needing to be “flushed” several times a day – cleaned of infection fluid – which can only be done through her empty tooth socket. Unfortunately, by doing so, her tooth socket isn’t able to heal properly. It’s a guinea pig health catch-22: The socket needs to heal, but the infection needs to be drained.

Summary

• Since January 2015, Buttercup has undergone antibiotic treatments for an infection in her mouth
• In May 2015, Buttercup lost her front right bottom incisor, presumably due to the infection
• Buttercup underwent surgery to create an opening under her chin to allow bacteria to drain. The opening will be closed once the vet determines she is no longer at risk of a recurring infection
• This is part #3 of a three part series. Jump to part #1 or start at part #2.

This conundrum has resulted in the need for a more aggressive approach to what is ailing poor Ms. Cups.

The Guinea Pig Care Plan

Buttercup’s multitude of post-surgery medications

The setup: It’s been nine long months since Buttercup began taking a myriad of different antibiotics for a tooth infection that resulted in her losing one of her front teeth.

Needless to say, nine months is a long, long time for any animal – human or otherwise – to be taking antibiotics. Thus, in collaboration with the vet, a new approach was devised: a short and relatively straight-forward surgery that would allow her tooth socket to heal, while giving the infection fluid a channel to be drained from her jaw area.

Much to Buttercup’s chagrin, an appointment was scheduled for this procedure – a final rally against her infection.

But first, a blood sample would have to be taken and tested, to ensure she was healthy enough to undergo the knife.

So, on September 16^th, Buttercup was taken to the Family Vet for a full-panel blood test.

Unfortunately, the area where the blood sample needed to be taken (under her chin), was the same area that had developed a hardened, bony “pocket” encapsulating the infection – the same “problem area” that needed surgery.

Because of this hardened growth, the veterinarian was unsuccessful in drawing any blood. And so, the decision was made to proceed without a blood test – and hope for the best.

Fortunately, the Family Vets are expert guinea pig care-takers, and The Humans had no doubts the surgery would be a success.

Buttercup’s Chin Surgery

The signature Buttercup smile!

September 17, 2015
Vet Visit Fee*: waived
Cost of Surgery*: $315.45
Cost of Medicine*: $52.75
TOTAL*: $368.20
What Was Done: Office visit and surgery
Perscriptions: Metacam, Silvadiazine cream, Chlorhexidine flush
*All prices are based on our own personal veterinarian in the Portland, Oregon metro area. For recommended guinea pig doctors in your area, visit http://wheek.it/vets

At 6:00 am on Thursday, September 17^th, Buttercup began her pre-surgery fast: food and water were removed from her cage to make sure her stomach was empty when anesthesia was administered.

Buttercup arrived at the vet office at 9:00 am; she was in good spirits, although a bit irritated from having her food removed.

Buttercup came through the door of the vet office and was greeted by the familiar welcome: “Princess Buttercup is here!” She was quickly taken to the back of the clinic to begin her wait for the scheduled surgery.

The surgery took place later that afternoon, according to plan, and lasted only half an hour.

The news to report? “Uneventful,” according to the surgeon. That’s good news!

The surgeon cut into Buttercup’s chin to reach the hardened “pocket” surrounding the infection. Once there, the pocket was incised, and the underlying abscess was cleaned to rid the site of the infection fluid. A sample of the fluid was taken to determine which antibiotic would work best.

The now-opened “hole” beneath her chin was stitched so that it remained open, allowing the Humans to flush out the entire site, keeping it free from infection, and letting the tooth socket heal without interference from the infection.

Post-Surgery

Buttercup’s post-surgery wound, obscured by a tuft of chin fuzz

After surgery, Human #2 spent a half hour at the clinic hand-feeding a tired and stressed-out Buttercup, while vet techs and the doctor checked in on her status. Once she was cleared for discharge, she was sent home with prescriptions for Baytril and Flagyl antibiotics, as well as Reglan and a probiotic for gut health. Additionally, she was ordered to take a once-per-day dose of Metacam for pain.

The most important part post-surgical treatment: Every 12 hours, the Humans must flush her open site with Chlorhexidine antiseptic, meant to aid in keeping the site clear and clean. Then, her wound is packed with Silver Sulfadiazine Cream, to prevent any unwanted debris from making its way inside her now exposed under-chin area.

Fortunately, Buttercup – described by the vet as “feisty” and “scrappy” – is a trooper, and is in good spirits throughout the post-surgery fussing by the Humans.

The Humans will continue to administer the care routine of antibiotics, Reglan and probiotics, and site flushing for 10 days, until September 30th, when she will return to the Family Vet for a progress check-up.

Edit 9/30/2015: Buttercup has had a successful check-up! The doctor, always cautious (with good reason!), wants to keep Buttercup’s wound open for two more weeks, to ensure the infection and any remaining bacteria are eradicated. Stay tuned and keep your paws crossed for Ms. Buttercup’s improved health!

Edit 10/13/2015: Buttercup went in for her second check-up, and the news is the same: She is in great health and gaining weight, but the family vet wants to wait until her wound is more healed before removing any stitches. She will be going back to the doctor in two weeks for a re-evaluation.

Edit 10/28/2015: Buttercup had her third follow-up appointment after her surgery to determine if her stitches could be removed. After a thorough assessment, the doctor removed her stitches (yay!) and ordered her to remain on antibiotics for at least one week to ensure any remaining infection has been cleared. Buttercup received many compliments — she is gaining weight and looks healthy as can be! The Humans will publish an update once Buttercup’s post-stitch antibiotics are finished.

Catch up on Buttercup’s story. Read part #2 of this story, or skip back to read part #1 of this story.

Buttercup Needs Some Love!

While Human and vet are confident that this procedure should help tremendously in Buttercup’s recovery, she isn’t feeling too chipper about her new look.

Ms. Cups still sports the signature smile, but she prefers to spend much of her day resting in her pigloo.

Do you have an experience with a guinea pig surgery that left your cavy looking less-than-attractive afterwards? Did the surgery affect mobility, appetite, or appearance? How did you, and your guinea pig, learn to live and thrive with this change?

Buttercup would love to hear your stories in the comment section below!

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