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Guinea pig nails

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Kirstybp

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,

so I’ve been attempting to trim my boys nails again this week. I take it slowly because they make such a fuss! So I do a bit one evening and then carry on the next day if they don’t let me finish in one go. I‘ve noticed my one boy has a weird looking nail on his front paw. I don’t know if it’s just grown kind of sideways, or if it’s broken or something at some point and then grown back weird, or something else. It doesn’t look the same as the other nails, so even though he would have let me trim it tonight I left it just in case I hurt him. He seems absolutely fine in himself, popcorning and generally being the boss of the cage. But I’m going to book an appointment for him at the vets tomorrow just in case. Has anyone had anything like this with their piggies before?
 
Kirstybp said:
Oh I’d not heard of those before. I was certain it was his nail when I saw it. But like I’ve said I’ve not heard of spurs before so not sure now. It definitely seems like something a vet should look at then!
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If you aren't sure then a vet check to confirm is the best way to go. Spurs are generally harmless unless they are at risk of being caught. When I first had a piggy with them I got the vet to show me how to trim it safely and I've always managed them myself since then
 
Can you take a picture? If it's a spur, they're best to be left alone but if you aren't sure, definitely see if the vet can help you.
 
Kirstybp said:
Hi,

so I’ve been attempting to trim my boys nails again this week. I take it slowly because they make such a fuss! So I do a bit one evening and then carry on the next day if they don’t let me finish in one go. I‘ve noticed my one boy has a weird looking nail on his front paw. I don’t know if it’s just grown kind of sideways, or if it’s broken or something at some point and then grown back weird, or something else. It doesn’t look the same as the other nails, so even though he would have let me trim it tonight I left it just in case I hurt him. He seems absolutely fine in himself, popcorning and generally being the boss of the cage. But I’m going to book an appointment for him at the vets tomorrow just in case. Has anyone had anything like this with their piggies before?
Click to expand...

Hi!

Could you please post a picture? We can only guess going by your description. How old are your piggies?
 
Hi, I took him to the vet and all is ok now. Nail was Growing in an odd direction and starting to curl. The vet also thinks he stepped in some poo or something. Which is also why it looked odd. She clipped the nail right down, and said to bathe the paw in salty water a couple of times a week. She also said to keep an eye on that one cos it may grow back that way again. I’m very glad I went, she said it was a good spot and not many people would have noticed it at this early stage, and it could have become a problem if it had been left. x
 
Some piggies have odd nails, one of my piggy's nails curls a bit different than the others do, totally harmless, just gotta keep it trimmed & keep an eye so it doesn't get long. Glad you got it figured out though! :D Always good to check!
 
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