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Charlie has a thumb like thing...

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Lisajazz

Lisajazz

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I was cutting Charlies nails earlier and I noticed that she has a thumb like thing. It's sort of hanging off and is black. It's not a claw, it doesn't have a nail on it, it IS attached to her but not much.

SOOO any ideas what it is?

Going to post a photo later on after the girls are in bed...
 
It is fairly common in guinea pigs. It's probably a "spur", a bit of skin growth that is hard and often dark. My Llewelyn has them under both front paws. You can cut them back from time to time, but make sure that it's not too close to the (live) skin!

http://www.guinealynx.info/feet.html scroll down to "spurs"
 
I think it's one of those too but I haven't managed to take a photo after bathing and then not having my camera to hand. Will do it tomorrow hopefully.

I am a bit reluctant to cut them back at the moment as she squeeked when I moved them earlier...
 
If you did cut the spurs off and you accidentally cut the skin underneath, be warned, it may bleed. Nothing unsual in that, except there can be quite an amount of blood. If that happens, just apply pressure for a few minutes, the pig will not bleed to death, there is no need to put any cream or ointment on the area.
Don't be alarmed by those comments, it is just that some owners go into panic mode.
Remember that, sometimes, the spurs can break off without outside assistance, the skin can bleed and the owner is none the wiser!
 
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