Abscess help!

Hi all,

My glider Digit is about 4 now, and he just got his 2nd abscess yesterday. We'd moved from Austin to NYC, so vets costs start at $130 plus whatever Manhattan prices they choose to charge for services and meds or surgery after that, plus cab fare for my little guy who hates city noise, etc. The short of it is, if we go out the door here, my costs could be in the thousands, or they could give me antibiotics that don't work, or refuse to lance the abscess.

Last time, he was well after 2 week of $12 antibiotics - no lancing, but that Austin vet can't prescribe it again without seeing him. I can't afford a vet costs more than $200 right now without a job, and his abscess grew 2x overnight, but he still eats and drinks what I hand-feed him.

Any advice at all...please? Digit brought joy to my life during dark times, and I can't bear to let this go--is this life threatening? It always looks so painful! What can I do? What else can I do but pamper him and watch him now?

I am so very sorry this is happening to you and especially your sweet Digit. It is heartbreaking to be in this situation under these circumstances.

We cannot prescribe or diagnosis as we are not vets, and he definitely needs to be seen. The sooner the better so the infection does not spread to other parts of his little body.

You might call your previous vet asking if he would conference with a new vet giving that vet the treatment protocol used for this before. But don't be surprised if the new vet prefers to diagnosis and use his own methods even if they are very similar or probably the same.

Leaving the abscess to heal itself is something you probably shouldn't do.

If you search the 'net, there are organizations that offer low to no interest loans for vet expenses. It might be enough to help you get by until you're settled.

Moving to Health & Hygiene.

Karen is correct and I suggest you get a culture and sensitivity test done on the goo in the abscess.

Sometimes these abscesses have two different types of bacteria, anaerobic and aerobic, the glider then needs two different antibiotics at the same time to fight the infection.

Please keep us posted on your little one.