Please help.... .....update

Stella developed an abscess in January this year. She had it drained straight away but unfortunately, the vet was unablt to remove the tooth.

Her face swelled again in February and the abscess was again drained. This time they were able to remove most of the tooth - the vet said there may be a small piece or root left. After this op, I gave her 2.7mls of Flagyl daily, as well as cleaning out and flushing the open wound on her face.

Now, the swelling is back.

We've been to the vets tonight and they said that it is unlikely that they can remove all of the abscess. They may be able to get out the remaining piece of root, but then again, might not. The vet gave 3 options:
1. leave it and see how big the swelling gets and if she shows any other symptoms (at the moment she is happy and eating fine)
2. try to get the last piece of root out, leave an open wound on her face to let it drain permanently
3. I think we all know what option 3 is

After talking to the vet, I've decided on option 2. I'm not sure if I made the right decision or not. I've been upset and crying since we got back. I dont know what to do for the best.

The vet said she may be fine after this op, obviously the abscess would still be there but it may not cause her too many issues. On the other hand, it might come back every few weeks like it is at the moment.

I've heard that maybe putting a dressing into the wound might help (calcium hydroxide) or irrigating with chlorhexadine? If anybody has any suggestions???

I dont know if I've made the right decision regarding tomorrow. I want to give her the best care but at the same time, don't want her to be in pain. I really dont know what to do....

I wish I could help/advise in any way, just to say I am thinking of you and Stella

Good luck with the op, that is the option I would have chosen years ago when my bridge bun had the same problem. No specialist vet then You are, imo, lucky to have this option

I'm so sorry to hear of Stella's abscess.
Others have more experience to advise you.

It is certainly the option I would have chosen, surgically. Even if they can't get the tooth root fragment out, there is a good chance that it will work it's way out in time with this procedure.

There is the matter of choice of ongoing antibiotic to control the infection in bone.

It may be worth considering Manuka honey as a dressing, because it has antibiotic properties, most importantly liquifies the thick rabbit pus so that it can drain out more easily, and doesn't "sting" like standard antiseptics. Honey does have to be changed daily - eg by saline irrigation.

It has been used successfully in rabbit abscesses elsewhere, but I have not heard of it being used in this particular situation. I hope I'm right that there is no communication with the inside of the mouth?

Everything crossed for Stella.

thumps_ said:

I'm so sorry to hear of Stella's abscess.
Others have more experience to advise you.

It is certainly the option I would have chosen, surgically. Even if they can't get the tooth root fragment out, there is a good chance that it will work it's way out in time with this procedure.

There is the matter of choice of ongoing antibiotic to control the infection in bone.

It may be worth considering Manuka honey as a dressing, because it has antibiotic properties, most importantly liquifies the thick rabbit pus so that it can drain out more easily, and doesn't "sting" like standard antiseptics. Honey does have to be changed daily - eg by saline irrigation.

It has been used successfully in rabbit abscesses elsewhere, but I have not heard of it being used in this particular situation. I hope I'm right that there is no communication with the inside of the mouth?

Everything crossed for Stella.

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I agree with thumps and I too would opt for surgery. Also, perhaps a skull radiograph BEFOREHAND to assess the extent of osteomyelitis. If it were to be extensive then trying to extract teeth could risk shattering the jaw
Your Vet would be able to contact you and discuss options (effectively option 1 or 3 already mentioned)

Longterm antibiotic therapy is likely to be needed and I would suggest asking the Vet about Depocillin injections aswell as the Metronidazole (Flagyl).
Pain relief should also be given.

I hope your Bun can be helped to feel more comfortable

Thanks everyone.

I hope i'm doing the best for her and not making thing worse. I feel so sorry for her, although she seems fine in herself.

She had the manuka honey dressing last time, although only for a couple of days, and, apart from the socket where they tried to take he tooth out, there is no communication in the mouth.

I hope I can make the right decisions for her, and I also hope that she will be ok for a long time to come. Sounds unlikely though

I do hope all goes well for Stella today.
Please keep us updated.

I will, thanks. OH just dropped them off at the vets, I'll be picking her up after work.

Fingers crossed

Just read your thread and in my opinion you HAVE made the right choice for Stella, it is the choice I would make if I had to which I pray I never do.
You are giving Stella a fighting chance.
I have my fingers and toes crossed it all goes well today, thinking of you all.

I am so sorry this abscess keeps recurring for Stella. I believe you have taken the best option to give every chance to hopefully recover. Mouth abscess can be so difficult to deal with but the treatments offered in other posts should have the best opportunity of success for Stella.

Having had tooth abscesses myself and a bun who had several over a 3 year period, I don't believe that an abscess for a bun is as painful and uncomfortable as it is for us. I think they can still have a generally good quality of life even with recurrences.

Wishing Stella all the best for today's treatment.

Thanks everyone. She should be having it done about now. The vet said I can phone after 3 to see how she is.

Having had tooth abscesses myself and a bun who had several over a 3 year period, I don't believe that an abscess for a bun is as painful and uncomfortable as it is for us. I think they can still have a generally good quality of life even with recurrences.

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I think you're right! She's not been particularly bothered at all by it. The worst part for her was taking the flagyl. Being a dental nurse, I k ow how much abscesses bother us humans, but she seems to be doing fine.

I hope today goes ok and that after today I don't have to decide on option 3. We, and her husbun, would be devastated

Stella is home....

Just brought Stella home from the vets. She seems fine in herself although a bit groggy. They think they have managed to get the last bit of root out - yippee! The bad news is that the abscess was worse than originally, this time when they drained it, it was oozing out of her tear duct. Poor bun

They have stitched the abscess capsule to the outside of her face so it can drain for as long as possible without healing and flushed her tear ducts. I have to give her tiacil??? Eye drops and also inject the drops into her wound in a morning, then in the evening inject some manuka honey into it, she has some baytril and some metacam to take also.

I'm just hoping and praying this works

Poor Stella

I hope that she will recover well from the op' and that the infection can at least be contained if not cured.

I'm pleased you have Stella back home.

I assume the Manuka Honey is rated UMF 10+ or more. Using it with the wound open will give it the best opportunity to heal from the inside out.

Let's hope that this is the last she will be troubled by the abscess.

How is Stella, cheryl21?
I am delighted to hear that the vet was able to remove the fragment of tooth root & is recommending manuka honey.

It used to be used for human leg ulcers, & was very effective in controlling infection in that situation. We only stopped using it because hospital pharmacies could not obtain it from a drug manufacturer, & the nursing time required for daily dressing changes.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Stella seems to be doing ok. I cleaned the wound this morning and injected the tiacil into it then tonight I have again cleaned it - lots of pus came out which is good bit I'm finding it hard to get all of it out. Once icouldnt get any more out I've injected the manuka into it - it's UMF 15 which I'm hoping is the right one???


She still seems ok in herself and has been eating alright.

I hope she's ok

Bless you & little Stella!
Hope she feels better soon.....

Yes you have the correct honey.
It sounds ideal for this situation.
I'm hopeful that with perseverance this will be the end of the abscess.