Curled Toes?

[Jennifer D]

Hi everyone,

One of my piggies that I "adopted" a couple months ago has different front feet than my other pigs. They curl to the side whereas my other pigs all have straight long toes. I can't take a picture right now as they're all asleep but the family that I bought them from said that they were trimming their nails regularly and when I got them they only needed a little trim. The pig is between 5 and 6 years so an old piggy and the toes don't bother her and the nails on the toes are short. They don't bother her as far as I can tell and there are no sores from walking strange (Which I haven't noticed). I'm sure she's lived with it for a long time but does anyone know what causes it? I'm sure she probably came from a pet store so she could be a mixed mutt breed piggy Just thought I'd ask anyhow. Thanks!

 

[Freela]

I've read somewhere recently that older pigs may have toes that splay out. Their nails certainly get thick and can corkscrew to the side when they get older, even if they aren't really that long. Linney just turned 6 and her toes splay out more (it's also harder to cut her nails really short, as they are now really thick and the quick is really long... it's hard to cut them short without making them bleed. And they grow more 'to the side' than straight now. Even short, her nails are slightly outward-curving.) I've always read that if you want to guess the age of a pig, look at their feet, so I suspect it's due to age and nail growth patterns that come with age. I know for Linney it doesn't bother her, and it is definitely an old lady thing, as she has 'normal' feet and nails in her youth.

 

[Jennifer D]

I've read somewhere recently that older pigs may have toes that splay out. Their nails certainly get thick and can corkscrew to the side when they get older, even if they aren't really that long. Linney just turned 6 and her toes splay out more (it's also harder to cut her nails really short, as they are now really thick and the quick is really long... it's hard to cut them short without making them bleed. And they grow more 'to the side' than straight now. Even short, her nails are slightly outward-curving.) I've always read that if you want to guess the age of a pig, look at their feet, so I suspect it's due to age and nail growth patterns that come with age. I know for Linney it doesn't bother her, and it is definitely an old lady thing, as she has 'normal' feet and nails in her youth.

Thank you! I assumed it wasn't anything major as it doesn't affect her movement or anything. She's blissfully unaware that one

 

[Wiebke]

It is a sign that she is a mature adult and nothing to worry about. Older piggy often get curly or thicker nails.

 

[GPTV]

Do u mean the actual feet point outwards, as opposed to the nails?
My Ellie is 7+ yrs old &I have had her since she was about 5.
Her feet have always curled outwards the toenails are difficult to cut as the toe to the sides of her nails obscure her nails.
I'll try &post a picture when I get home from work tonight or tomorrow,for u to compare.
If they're like Ellies she doesn't seem at all bothered, but I did wonder how come they were so sideways.
She's the oldest piggy I have had though, so wondered if was an age thing.
Xx

 

[Jennifer D]

Do you mean the actual feet point outwards, as opposed to the nails?
My Ellie is 7+ yrs old &I have had her since she was about 5.
Her feet have always curled outwards the toenails are difficult to cut as the toe to the sides of her nails obscure her nails.
I'll try &post a picture when I get home from work tonight or tomorrow,for you to compare.
If they're like Ellies she doesn't seem at all bothered, but I did wonder how come they were so sideways.
She's the oldest piggy I have had though, so wondered if was an age thing.
Xx

Yes, it's just the toes that curl, thankfully not her feet

 

[biscandmatt]

eddie has curled toes aswell. he's only 2 and a half so not age related. all his toes get in each others way and it's really hard to trim his nails. my other boar ches had the same toes and he arrived here aged 2.

 

[GPTV]

Took a few photo's, but miss diva pants wasn't playing the game! I'll look to the front or I'll snuggle into you mum-toes neatly tucked under... But no thanks I dont want my photo taken!
I'll try again later. Xx