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View Full Version : Possible ruptured abscess- wide gash appeared overnight


SugarBooger
07-14-2023, 12:55 AM
Last night I noticed a swollen lump on Louise's neck/right shoulder that looked like a possible fluid-filled abscess. I got her to let me look her over better & found a small pea-sized spot that looked scabbed over. Cleaned it & the swollen area with Bactine spray & then warm water with a q-tip. I made sure she had clean bedding & no hidden nasty little food stashes (she likes to try to save nibbles of fruits & forgets about them) She got mad about all of that but happily went to bed as soon as I was finished.

This morning when she got up she was in good spirits & anxiously awaiting breakfast like always. While she was eating I noticed that the swollen lump was now a large gash. It doesn't look deep but I'm worried about it not healing properly on its own.
I have Clindamycin I can give her if needed but she hates it so much. I don't want to cause her any unnecessary discomfort if I can help it. Especially since it will be challenging to make her take the antibiotics if she fights me with the wound being where it is.

I need some experienced eyes to give me advice on what would be the most effective treatment for this.

These pictures are from about 2 hours ago. I couldn't get any pictures of it before it popped, she wouldn't cooperate with me at the time.325322325323325324
island rehabber
07-14-2023, 06:54 AM
Poor sweetie, that does look nasty. But, squirrels heal quickly on their own and that doesn't look infected at the moment.

I would lightly wipe it with some diluted Betadyne....add water til it's the color of weak tea. If it closes and puffs up again she may need further treatment.
SugarBooger
07-14-2023, 12:36 PM
Poor sweetie, that does look nasty. But, squirrels heal quickly on their own and that doesn't look infected at the moment.

I would lightly wipe it with some diluted Betadyne....add water til it's the color of weak tea. If it closes and puffs up again she may need further treatment.

Thank you for responding. I was thinking the same about it not looking infected, only painful. I will go get betadyne in a few minutes & continue to keep it clean & watch for any changes.
Tashahaven
07-21-2023, 12:00 AM
How is little Louise?
SugarBooger
07-22-2023, 06:40 PM
How is little Louise?

She's doing a lot better. It still looks like it might hurt but not nearly as bad as it was when I took the pictures. Now it's about 1/2 of the original size & scabbed over. I'm still making sure it stays clean & so far, no signs of infection or swelling.
I think the heat wave going on here helped a little bit with her healing by keeping her from wanting to spend a lot of time outside during the day.
It's been miserable outside for a while now. Today was cooler, but still too hot for most people that don't live in Texas, lol
I know the little wild ones in my yard have been appreciating the daily grapes, apples & cherries(they were on sale super cheap)& cool water in the shade of my pecan tree lately. So much so they've started bringing friends
Tashahaven
07-24-2023, 08:27 PM
I’m so happy to hear she seems to be doing better!

Hopefully it will heal up just fine. I’m sure she feels quite relieved now that the pressure and discomfort of an abscess have receded.

JW is she a wild? Or a captive? Or is she temporarily inside until she heals?

I was confused when you mentioned “she doesn’t want to go outside”… as to whether she is currently inside or outside.

Still so happy she is feeling better! ❤️