Broken Nail

[LilyThePiggy]

I had my guinea pigs out for lap time yesterday (unfortunately I had no internet connection so couldn't ask about this when I saw it) but I found blood on one of their claws I thought maybe she had scratched the other but I checked them both over and there was no sign of any blood. So I had a closer look and noticed that it looked like the nail had broken very near her toe. The blood was dry and she didn't seem bothered by it but I couldn't get a close enough look to know for sure. Does anyone know what could have caused this and what to do about it?

 

[Wiebke]

I had my guinea pigs out for lap time yesterday (unfortunately I had no internet connection so couldn't ask about this when I saw it) but I found blood on one of their claws I thought maybe she had scratched the other but I checked them both over and there was no sign of any blood. So I had a closer look and noticed that it looked like the nail had broken very near her toe. The blood was dry and she didn't seem bothered by it but I couldn't get a close enough look to know for sure. Does anyone know what could have caused this and what to do about it?

Catching a nail and breaking it is not uncommon in active guinea pigs.

Please disinfect it with saline solution (either streile from the pharmacy or homemade with 1 teaspoon of salt mixed into 1/2 pint of boiled, cooled water). Depending on whether the root of the nail has been affected or not, the nail may grow back a bit thicker or somehwat misformed.

 

[LilyThePiggy]

The nail is still hanging on should I just disinfect it and just leave the nail how it is

 

[Adelle]

The nail is still hanging on should I just disinfect it and just leave the nail how it is

Keep it clean and it should fall off on its own. Any pain, redness or inflamation of the toe, have her see the vet.

All the best