• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Build-up On Paw

Status
Not open for further replies.
Carley

Carley

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 17, 2014
Messages
21
Reaction score
6
Points
95
Location
High Wycombe
Hey,
My male guinea pig has some kind of build-up on his front left paw connected to the padding and my dad and I have no idea what it is. It is causing him no pain or irritation but we are still concerned about it. The colour of the build-up is a gingery/brown colour and is in 3 small parts. Is it an infection, is it nothing serious or do we have to take him to a vet. Please let me know ASAP x
 
Hi, it really needs to be seen by a vets to find out what it is. It could be an infection, it also however could be a foot spur which are harmless or it could be but doesn't sound like it in this case caked on poo. It is were poo it would coming off after soaking, but please don't try to scratch any of it off as an infection or spur is more likely. A quick trip to the vets would get the answers your piggie needs and if it is an infection it will need antibiotics to clear.
 
Don't suppose you have a photo or can get your dad to take one and upload it?
 
Well my other guinea pig hasn't got it I don't think, I will check just in case x @Ruby's Cafe
 
Looks like this ......

http://www.guinealynx.info/feet.html#spurs

However i would not advise you try and (a) diagnose over the internet or (b) handle it yourself.

Photos can be deceiving so a quick trip to the vets should resolve this for you.
x
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I was thinking spurs too but a vet diagnosis would be good just in case. Must admit it looks a bit paler than spurs I have seen.
 
Looks like a spur to me - mine have had the same but if piggy hasn't had one before then you should check it out with the vet who will also show you how to trim it if it is a spur.
 
It does look like a spur, but get it confirmed.

If it is spurs, you need to keep an eye on them because they can sometimes cause irritation of the foot pads, as was the case with my pig, Glinda. I had to regularly trim them. Gorgeous Guineas CocoNeem Melt works surprisingly well on reducing spurs, as I discovered last week!
 
I have seen spurs this pale before and that's what I think it is, but get it confirmed by the vet. If it is a spur it is simple to trim off and the vet can show you how to do it yourself.
 
To me it looks like a foot spur, which is not painful or harmful (think of it like a really thick callus.) Some pigs get them, some don't. One of mine gets them often, the other has never had one in five years, and they both live in the same environment. It's always best to check with a vet if in doubt, though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top