Bumblefoot treatment

[Piggielover101]

So I think one of my piggies has Bumblefoot, her feet are red and a bit swollen and I think there’s a scab or two on her feet. I’ve read that I need to clean the bedding regularly (I use saw dust) and use Epsom salt. Is there anything else I can do? If nothing gets better than I’ll take her to the vets

Her nails also aren’t great :/ They have slightly curled, is there a way to somehow get them back to normal? How often should I cut my piggies nails?

 

[Wiebke]

So I think one of my piggies has Bumblefoot, her feet are red and a bit swollen and I think there’s a scab or two on her feet. I’ve read that I need to clean the bedding regularly (I use saw dust) and use Epsom salt. Is there anything else I can do? If nothing gets better than I’ll take her to the vets

Her nails also aren’t great :/ They have slightly curled, is there a way to somehow get them back to normal? How often should I cut my piggies nails?

Hi!

Piggies' nails naturally curl up or twist as they age; there is nothing you can do. Check them at least once a month. The older a guinea pig gets, the more slowly a nail grows. In some piggies, nails can also thicken as they age. Generally twists and curls happen only in the dead horny bit so can safely cut back to nearly the beginning of it. In black nails, it pays to look for little uneven growth rings - again, they don't show in the live area of a nail.

Bumblefoot generally happens only in the weight bearing front feet unless your guinea pig is living on an unsuitable and damaging wire bottom cage or in a thick layer of its own excretement.
If all feet are evenly red and calloused, then you are not dealing with bumblefoot; all-red feet are a result of your piggy being in the process of shedding extra heat via increased blood flow - you will notice the same in its ears at the same time, which is the main area of heat regulation. At that stage the feet can look a bit swollen if you have never looked more closely at them before.

Foot infections manifest as a small highly red area on an otherwise pale foot that then scabs over. The swelling is also noticeable when you compare it to the other foot. If you have any doubts, see a vet.
Guinea Lynx :: Pododermatitis

 

[Swissgreys]

It does sound like the best place to start would be with a trip to the vet.
The vet will be able to check for things like infection, come up with a firm diagnosis, and prescribe appropriate treatment for her feet.
They should also be able to help you get started trimming her nails.

As the nails grow they often curl in, so to help get them back under control you need to trim a very small amount off on a regular basis. Slowly the quick inside the nail will retract, and you will be able to get them shorter. It takes time, but it does work.
One of our guinea pigs has one super curly nail and I trim this one weekly (just shaving a small amount off every time). Her other nails get trimmed evey 3 weeks.