Bumblefoot/Foot infection - opinion please

[zombieprincess]

Pirate has just been put onto a course of antibiotics for an infection in the pad of one of his front legs, thankfully we have caught it early and his pad is only very slightly inflamed, however does seem to be hurting him if it's touched too firmly (i discovered it trying to clip his nails and got a few bites for my efforts), he's walking fine and has other wise been himself.

However a little sore is begining to form on his infected pad, the vet said just to keep him on a soft surface so they are now entirely on fleece, i was reading on guinealynx that some people wrap the foot if the pig has a sore. I would do this as i want to keep it protected should it open up but their hutch has a ramp, would wrapping his foot hinder him much if he tried to go up and down? Would you just not bother or give it a go? He has an igloo, a box and some cozies so he wouldn't be lacking for shelter if he ended up staying downstairs ... i just dont want him to be in more pain.

 

[zombieprincess]

Just somthing else i thought to add, hen an old hamster of ours had an eye infection, we were told to bathe it in warm salted water, would it beneficial to wash Pirates foot in a similar solution or just let the antiboitics do their work?

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Has the vet said it is actually an infection e.g. from an injury - or is it just swollen with a scab forming? Could you get a picture perhaps, might help others identify with the symptoms? Treatment suggestions for bumblefoot vary hugely, but there is thought now is that it is not an infection, more likely to be a systemic/circulatory issue.

As the pad of the foot is tender, I would recommend dosing with an anti-inflammatory like children's Nurofen, this will help the pain as well as the inflammation.

As far as applying anything to the foot goes, an ointment may or may not help - I had success with Perfect Paws from GG.

 

[zombieprincess]

Laura the vet is pretty certain it is infected through an injury, most likely him standing on some thing, he has spent a lot of time on the lawn and the patio when the grass is too wet, and puncturing the skin and then debris getting in infecting with the scab healing over the infection. He has some tender new skin just under the scab.

I'll have a look to see if we have childrens neurofen and weigh him (I'm terrible with numbers and have already forgotten his weight from when he was at the vets) to get advise on the dosage.

I'll try and get a photo of his foot tomorrow as my camera is horrible in artificial light and no doubt it will looks like a blob.