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Guinea pig possibly infected toe, need advice!

M

mangosugarz

New Born Pup
Joined
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I noticed last night that my poor baby gumball seems to have some sort of infection on his toe that is extremely swollen and purple, I don't think bumblefoot is the case and possibly he may have injured himself. I already have a vet appointment scheduled for him Tuesday but how can I treat him temporarily to make sure he doesn't get worse? If he does get worse when should it be considered an emergency? He's limping a little bit but is eating and drinking like normal. I noticed a little bit of a pinkish pus coming out when I picked him up to examine him. Would also like to add that I used fleece bedding that is spot cleaned daily and cleaned weekly. I'm not sure how to upload a photo onto here so if someone could tell me how I'd appreciate it!
 
mangosugarz said:
I noticed last night that my poor baby gumball seems to have some sort of infection on his toe that is extremely swollen and purple, I don't think bumblefoot is the case and possibly he may have injured himself. I already have a vet appointment scheduled for him Tuesday but how can I treat him temporarily to make sure he doesn't get worse? If he does get worse when should it be considered an emergency? He's limping a little bit but is eating and drinking like normal. I noticed a little bit of a pinkish pus coming out when I picked him up to examine him. Would also like to add that I used fleece bedding that is spot cleaned daily and cleaned weekly. I'm not sure how to upload a photo onto here so if someone could tell me how I'd appreciate it!
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Hi and welcome

It sounds definitely infected and should ideally be seen as soon as possible. Please call your vet clinic and ask them for their advice. Mention the pus. Wishing you all the best.

You can always bathe the toe in saline solution for disinfection but it won't likely be enough to bring the infection down and prevent it from going further up the foot if you are unlucky. To make saline at home, boil 250 ml or 1 pint of water, let it cool and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt.
 
mangosugarz said:
I noticed last night that my poor baby gumball seems to have some sort of infection on his toe that is extremely swollen and purple, I don't think bumblefoot is the case and possibly he may have injured himself. I already have a vet appointment scheduled for him Tuesday but how can I treat him temporarily to make sure he doesn't get worse? If he does get worse when should it be considered an emergency? He's limping a little bit but is eating and drinking like normal. I noticed a little bit of a pinkish pus coming out when I picked him up to examine him. Would also like to add that I used fleece bedding that is spot cleaned daily and cleaned weekly. I'm not sure how to upload a photo onto here so if someone could tell me how I'd appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope your piggy is soon feeling better.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

It sounds definitely infected and should ideally be seen as soon as possible. Please call your vet clinic and ask them for their advice. Mention the pus. Wishing you all the best.

You can always bathe the toe in saline solution for disinfection but it won't likely be enough to bring the infection down and prevent it from going further up the foot if you are unlucky. To make saline at home, boil 250 ml or 1 pint of water, let it cool and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt.
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Thank you for the welcome! I'll have to call my vet back and ask what I should do until the appointment but thank you for the recommendation, I'll definitely try a saline soak to hold him off until the Tuesday. Keeping a close eye on it to see if I should take him in for an emergency appointment.
 
mangosugarz said:
I noticed last night that my poor baby gumball seems to have some sort of infection on his toe that is extremely swollen and purple, I don't think bumblefoot is the case and possibly he may have injured himself. I already have a vet appointment scheduled for him Tuesday but how can I treat him temporarily to make sure he doesn't get worse? If he does get worse when should it be considered an emergency? He's limping a little bit but is eating and drinking like normal. I noticed a little bit of a pinkish pus coming out when I picked him up to examine him. Would also like to add that I used fleece bedding that is spot cleaned daily and cleaned weekly. I'm not sure how to upload a photo onto here so if someone could tell me how I'd appreciate it!
Click to expand...

mangosugarz said:
I noticed last night that my poor baby gumball seems to have some sort of infection on his toe that is extremely swollen and purple, I don't think bumblefoot is the case and possibly he may have injured himself. I already have a vet appointment scheduled for him Tuesday but how can I treat him temporarily to make sure he doesn't get worse? If he does get worse when should it be considered an emergency? He's limping a little bit but is eating and drinking like normal. I noticed a little bit of a pinkish pus coming out when I picked him up to examine him. Would also like to add that I used fleece bedding that is spot cleaned daily and cleaned weekly. I'm not sure how to upload a photo onto here so if someone could tell me how I'd appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Currently this is day 3 of infection, I am getting extremely concerned because it is getting much worse by the day and he seems to have an upper respiratory infection now. Vet offices are closed tomorrow and I'm not sure what my options are I feel so hopeless because it feels like my poor baby is suffering right now and the fact his appointment isn't until Tuesday is making me so worried 😓....is this something that might be okay until Tuesday? Or should I make an emergency appointment for him as soon as possible on Monday? Also please note I'm aware his nails are a little overgrown at the moment, I just came home from vacation while my mother was pet sitting for me and I was just about. to trim his nails thursday until I noticed the swelling.
 

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mangosugarz said:
Currently this is day 3 of infection, I am getting extremely concerned because it is getting much worse by the day and he seems to have an upper respiratory infection now. Vet offices are closed tomorrow and I'm not sure what my options are I feel so hopeless because it feels like my poor baby is suffering right now and the fact his appointment isn't until Tuesday is making me so worried 😓....is this something that might be okay until Tuesday? Or should I make an emergency appointment for him as soon as possible on Monday? Also please note I'm aware his nails are a little overgrown at the moment, I just came home from vacation while my mother was pet sitting for me and I was just about. to trim his nails thursday until I noticed the swelling.
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Please give the clinic a call as soon as you can. Email the picture if needed.
 
Ouch, looks sore 😣
Do you have an emergency vet service? There has to be one by law here in the UK but not sure if it's the same where you are. Definitely needs looking at ASAP, especially if his breathing is becoming a problem.
 
mangosugarz said:
There's emergency vet near me but they don't treat exotics ☹️ my primary vet offers emergency appointments so I'm gonna try and see if I can get one for tomorrow asap
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Please have that toe seen as soon as possible. All the best for it.
 
mangosugarz said:
I noticed last night that my poor baby gumball seems to have some sort of infection on his toe that is extremely swollen and purple, I don't think bumblefoot is the case and possibly he may have injured himself. I already have a vet appointment scheduled for him Tuesday but how can I treat him temporarily to make sure he doesn't get worse? If he does get worse when should it be considered an emergency? He's limping a little bit but is eating and drinking like normal. I noticed a little bit of a pinkish pus coming out when I picked him up to examine him. Would also like to add that I used fleece bedding that is spot cleaned daily and cleaned weekly. I'm not sure how to upload a photo onto here so if someone could tell me how I'd appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Vet update for all, not looking too great. We're starting him on an antibiotic for 10 days with separation from his brothers however amputation is very likely. I will try my best to keep this updated on how he's doing but please keep him in your thoughts :(
 
mangosugarz said:
Vet update for all, not looking too great. We're starting him on an antibiotic for 10 days with separation from his brothers however amputation is very likely. I will try my best to keep this updated on how he's doing but please keep him in your thoughts :(
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I am very sorry but not quite surprised. Keeping my fingers very firmly crossed!

I would however recommend to not separate him if possible and unless he is actively bullied. There has been a major change of mind over the last decade on the importance of companionship for guinea pigs; medical separations can lead to permanent fall-outs.
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry but not quite surprised. Keeping my fingers very firmly crossed!

I would however recommend to not separate him if possible and unless he is actively bullied. There has been a major change of mind over the last decade on the importance of companionship for guinea pigs; medical separations can lead to permanent fall-outs.
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Thank you so much for your input genuinely! There's a weird balance of the hierarchy at the moment and I've been waiting it out to see if their bonds fix themselves and have been keeping a close eye on them to determine if separation is necessary. Unfortunately I found out male trios usually fall out almost certainly before getting my third boy which is my mistake and I've been trying to go about it as responsibly as possible :,) I've owned guinea pigs for years this is just the one thing I seemed to miss since I've owned mostly girls previously. gumball used to be the main bully of the group but my usually submissive boy Darwin seems to have taken gumball being sick the chance to overtake his position. My third Toby and Darwin get along great and so do Darwin and Toby so my main issue is trying to figure out who to separate when absolutely necessary.
 
mangosugarz said:
Vet update for all, not looking too great. We're starting him on an antibiotic for 10 days with separation from his brothers however amputation is very likely. I will try my best to keep this updated on how he's doing but please keep him in your thoughts :(
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Hopefully the antibiotics will work and his toe can be saved 🤞🏻
 
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