abcess tooth in guinea pig

Question
took Brownie to visit vet with a large swollen area on side of face.  Second time thishas happened.  lst time Vet lanced area and said i t was bad tooth.  Puss drained out  and I flushed it out 2 timesa day and gave antibiotics.  Seemed to befine.  Not gaining weigh like he should.  Took G.pid back today with swollen jar.  Vet said it is his tooth.  Toothremoval is very expensive. The jaw has to be broke and the tooth extracted and the tooth left has to be filed down periodically.  Or he said we can put him down.  I don't want to see him be put to sleep.  It is my Granddtgs pig. He is 2 yrs old.  He eats constantly and Vet says he is in pain.  Please help

Answer

Ethyl I've never heard of a cavy getting an abscessed tooth like that. Of course that's not to say they don't, I've just never seen one.  Abscesses on the side of the face are very common. Usually we open them and allow it to drain, keep it flushed every day and it heals in a week to ten days. Did the vet open the abscess on the jaw or from the inside of the mouth?  

I hate to question the vet's opinion but if this pig is eating all the time it doesn't sound like he's hurting that bad.  Is there any chance you can send me a picture?  I'd like to see what this thing is.  

The problem with this type of surgery (besides an expense) is the issue of the animal handling the anesthesia. I wouldn't get too anxious to think about putting this little guy down. I'd really like to see this thing first. I've dealt with many of them and they've always healed up without issue.  

I'm going to attach a picture for you to see. This was a Kindergarten pig that came to me with an abscess on her jaw. It healed within a week after draining it and did not require antibiotics. So I really think it's important to take a better look if you can take the picture.