Dog abscess on cheek

[essayer]

Our whippety dog has an abscess come up on her cheek.

Went to vets last Friday and got a course of antibiotics, he suspects a dental cause, and we’re going back Friday to reassess.

Should the abscess have gone down by now? Or does it need to burst to go away? It seems bigger and redder. She’s not off food or obviously poorly, but I’ve never had this on a dog before and I don’t know what to expect!

[bexVN]

I would have hoped it would have settled a bit with antibiotics but it peobably won't go away until the cause (ie rotten tooth) is removed. There is a small chance of a foreign body (eg grass seed) but tooth is most likely cause.

How old is your whippy?

Which antibiotics did they px (I would hope Antirobe)

They should be prepared to have her in on the Friday for an examination under sedation at least, what time is your appointment.

[essayer]

Thanks Bex.

She’s 6. Prescribed synuclav for five days, so last day tomorrow.

It’s leaked a bit today and gone down slightly so we’re keeping it clean.

In 3pm Friday, it was described as a check but I agree with you, I think we’ll be going back for some dentistry

Luckily she’s happy and eating normally, so hopefully it’s not hurting her

[Davel]

Our 4 month old GSD had similar a few weeks back, traced to an infection above a milk tooth.

Antibiotics and a minor op to have a couple of teeth out and the wound cleaned out and he was much better the same day.

Fully recovered very quickly.

Good luck.

[bexVN]

essayer said:

Thanks Bex.

She’s 6. Prescribed synuclav for five days, so last day tomorrow.

It’s leaked a bit today and gone down slightly so we’re keeping it clean.

In 3pm Friday, it was described as a check but I agree with you, I think we’ll be going back for some dentistry

Luckily she’s happy and eating normally, so hopefully it’s not hurting her

Not the worst choice antibiotic but surprised they didn't choose Antirobe (climdamycin) if they suspect teeth.

Can you ask for a Friday morning appt? or change it to Thurs pm to discuss possible admittance Fri morning where she can be starved pre ga/sedation if needed.

Hope it is sorted soon for her, it can be painful so good to know she is coping well with it. She is quite young so I wonder if she has damaged a tooth?

Did they prescribe any anti imflammatory medication or was it just antibiotics.

[monoloco]

My GSP had a similar angry lump come up on the side of his face and despite a course of antibiotics it didnt go away so the vet operated. It turned out to be an infected abscess caused by a grass seed that they reckoned had worked its way up through a tooth/gum pocket. Once removed problem solved and the boy is bouncing around like a looney again.

[essayer]

She just had antibiotics, no anti-inflammatories. Vet is one of those old school, seen everything types; glance down, diagnosis, see you later..

It's gone down a lot now, almost back to normal size, still reddened.

I'll get them to recheck Friday am and we can go from there - it could be a grass seed, she's not off her dry food at all, so hopefully no teeth are hurting.

[bexVN]

How did things go yesterday?

[essayer]

bexVN said:

How did things go yesterday?

Thanks for asking. The abscess itself has pretty much disappeared now, it just feels a bit crusty and needs a clean if that makes sense!

Vet was happy and said leave for now - if it returns, book her in for a morning appointment and they'll look to investigate further under an anaesthetic - I'm assuming they'd just take out the tooth, I see from some googling that root canals are an option too, but this seems a bit more specialised.

Certainly her normal self, and crunching away at her food, so fingers crossed we're back to normal!

[bexVN]

Great result doesn't happen very often so I hope it stays away!!