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Advice - bedding, feet problems

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Mother Hubbard

Mother Hubbard

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Still a novice here. Now I could be overreacting but my big bum Bloss has a discoloured slightly swollen foot, she seems to be walking and eating fine, no squeaks or anything when moving etc. I do check my wee girls often but sensed something not right.

Currently I use wood shavings in their cage and have been thinking of changing this for sometime, certainly been reading as much as I can on here.

So a) am I overreacting?
b) on the basis I'm working tomorrow and nearest vet supplies is Pets at Home,what would you recommend?

When I read the threads everyone seems to be so knowledgeable about treatments etc. so whatever you can suggest and where I can it from then please shout out.

My girls are the love of my life along with the hubby of course and neither of us could bear if they are in any pain, as would any decent person of course.

Excuse the ramblings, fresh home from a hard day...
Thanks.
Lil
 
If you have an indoors cage, it may be worth trying out fleece with different underlays. The advantage of fleece (washed WTHOUT softener) is that it wicks away any pee and leave the surface dry. Have a look in housing about more info.

You could try and order "happy soles" ointment from http://www.gorgeousguineas.com/

As it doesn't bad yet, you could try bepanthen or an aloe vera salve for children from the pharmacy for immediate relief.

If it gets worse, of course, you will want to see a vet.
 
Thanks so much, the hubby having to wait for his dinner whilst I get advice, as I can relax until I know a course of action. Will be straight on it. thanks again.
 
If her foot is swollen and looks different to how it usually does then you're definitely not overreacting, so don't worry about that! Just means you care :)

I'm afraid I'm pretty much a novice in many aspects also, so I can't really comment on her foot, but I would definitely recommend switching from woodshavings as soon as you realistically can. I used to use shavings but have since changed to Vetbed and then fleece, after discovering (on here) that there are many better alternatives to shavings.

Hope Bloss's foot returns to normal soon and they all remain happy and healthy :)
 
You can get cheap fleeces in lots of places (market, primark, supermarkets... look for bedspreads or baby blankets). My towels are from Ikea, for instance, at less than £1 per towel.

I think there are some sticky threads about that in the housing section; please have a look at the top.
 
Blimey, I must have sounded thick then, when I heard fleece, I was thinking of specific fleece.....gotcha now! Durrrrr. right off shopping during work lunchtime tomorrow...hope to have happy pigs tomorrow night just in time for clean out time.
 
The Primark fleeces seem to be very popular with people around here - they do some really nice patterned ones for just £2.50 each. I've also recently bought some fab ones from Asda, Sainsbury's and Dunelm Mill but they cost a bit more.

I'd recommend making sure that your fleeces are 100% polyester so they should wick well and not absorb much. Also make sure that they don't have any chewable 'extras' on them - some fleeces (especially some baby/kids ones) have decorative bits sewn onto them which may not necessarily be safe for pigs, especially those who nibble!

Enjoy your shopping trip! :)
 
Hi Lil, when you say discoloured foot, in what way? Which foot is it?

Changing the bedding is a great first step, I'm sure they will love their fleece. :)
 
Can you post a picture of the foot that is sore so we can look at it?
 
Her foot isn't as pink as it usually is...hard to describe...les pink? but I'll get a photo posted later. I've been and purchased fleeces aplenty from Asda this morning and will be changing them straight over tonight. I'm going to check her again obviously when I take a photo.

I'm sure they will be much happier when I've changed them over, (so will I) but obviously I'm going to treat her foot tonight and see what difference it makes. It isn't really that noticeable except...well you just know your own piggies don't you?

Thanks for the advice, I'm sure you've heard it all before..will keep you posted.
 
Sorry I've been off line for a few days.

Update, have changed the bedding to fleece.

Bloss went to the vets today, her swollen foot he reckons she's been overgrooming and licking her fur off which is hardly noticeable and it's causing her foot to be swollen and her foot is turning black. I've been treating all the girls for mites appropriately etc from the moment I adoped them and using the right shampoo and regular nail clippings. To be fair they weren't clipped or treated often enough til I took them over.

Vet reckons the bedding may help, but he identified a problem in that they aren't toilet trained and will soil everywhere which will aggreviate there feet, and they do, and that's because there cage was so small. So am now wondering how I toilet train 3 sows who are approx 1.5 yrs old whom are now living in an appropriate size cage.

Am treating all the girls feet at the moment and of course ensuring they have extra veggie treats to compensate a trip to the vets...must have been bad. Buttercup even tried to take a bite of my arm! Poor things. I feel like a bad mum even though they are much better looked after now and I've listed all the improvements they have and still they've had a few health issues, Buttercup - Ruttles, Bloss - swollen feet, good ol Vile Voilet has had no problems which is great. Why do we beat ourselves up?

Anyway, end result, need to wait til the girls are due there next Invermicin treatment (sorry for spelling) and give a larger dose in 2 weeks.

Any further advice would be great thanks. Haven't posted any pictures yet, so will try that in a bit.
 
I'm not sure that you're going to be able to toilet train your guinea pigs. It's just guinea pig nature to generally go wherever they are. Having said that I have fleece with either towels or inco pads underneath. Using fleece should hopefully mean the surface stays dry and as long as you change it regularly and do a poop scoop every day, I don't see why it should affect their feet.
I also have litter trays with megazorb and hay in. Because they tend to wee/ poop whilst grazing, I am lucky that a lot of their toilet needs take place in the tray. I change the hay every day, and the megazorb every 2-3 days.

Can I ask what you're treating the girls feet with? (I haven't a clue what to suggest but someone else might have specific advice).

Sounds like these girls have a much better life now. Just carry on doing the best you can. :(|)
 
Yes bepanthen at the moment. I'm hoping with the change of bedding that it will make a difference. I think the vet was thinking that they might be standing in their own wee for periods of time, clearly not my usual vet and doesn't know me. I run a clean ship. Fingers crossed I'm trying different locations of their food bowls i.e. near a corner which will encourage them to eat and poop in the same area. I will perservere and see how it pans out. I've taken loads of advice from this site which has helped me tonnes. Watch this space....the toilet training. Thanks
 
lil said:
Yes bepanthen at the moment. I'm hoping with the change of bedding that it will make a difference. I think the vet was thinking that they might be standing in their own wee for periods of time, clearly not my usual vet and doesn't know me. I run a clean ship. Fingers crossed I'm trying different locations of their food bowls i.e. near a corner which will encourage them to eat and poop in the same area. I will perservere and see how it pans out. I've taken loads of advice from this site which has helped me tonnes. Watch this space....the toilet training. Thanks
Click to expand...


Makes sense. :))
I think some people cut up extra pieces of fleece to put in the main poop areas which they can change more often than the main fleece. I have made a padded fleece mat which I use under the hay rack for the same reason.
Good luck. x
 
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