Infected foot/mass?

[PatchandSilky]

Hi all, I took my male GP (aged 6) to the vet last week as I noticed when bathing him (he always sits in his poop so needs cleaning!) that one foot was swollen and blue-ish. They assumed an infection...and he’s been on metacam and baytril for a week.

Having gone back today, he’s not responded at all, his foot is the same and he’s lost a a bit of weight...he is still eating but I’ve noticed more being left in his cage.

I’ve got a few more days worth of the above and we’re back on Weds, but I wondered if anyone has any ideas? It’s only been while on the medication that he’s not eaten as much, so could one of them have that as a side effect?

The vet pulled a scab from his foot today which then left a patch red raw...which she was concerned about considering he’d been on antibiotics all week. She expected there to be liquid.

I can attach a photo of his foot if required?

Many thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, I took my male GP (aged 6) to the vet last week as I noticed when bathing him (he always sits in his poop so needs cleaning!) that one foot was swollen and blue-ish. They assumed an infection...and he’s been on metacam and baytril for a week.

Having gone back today, he’s not responded at all, his foot is the same and he’s lost a a bit of weight...he is still eating but I’ve noticed more being left in his cage.

I’ve got a few more days worth of the above and we’re back on Weds, but I wondered if anyone has any ideas? It’s only been while on the medication that he’s not eaten as much, so could one of them have that as a side effect?

The vet pulled a scab from his foot today which then left a patch red raw...which she was concerned about considering he’d been on antibiotics all week. She expected there to be liquid.

I can attach a photo of his foot if required?

Many thanks

It is worrying that antibiotics haven't worked at all.

Here is more information on bumblefoot; perhaps that can help you and your vet?
Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is not that rare in older guinea pigs with a less than optimal circulation that struggle to take the weight off their feet. Keep him on a soft surface and change/clean the area he sits in twice daily.
Guinea Lynx :: Pododermatitis Links

 

[PatchandSilky]

It’s a bit of a rubbish photo but he’s had enough of being messed around today bless him

 

[PatchandSilky]

It is worrying that antibiotics haven't worked at all.

Here is more information on bumblefoot; perhaps that can help you and your vet?
Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is not that rare in older guinea pigs with a less than optimal circulation that struggle to take the weight off their feet. Keep him on a soft surface and change/clean the area he sits in twice daily.
Guinea Lynx :: Pododermatitis Links

Thank you, this is what I assumed it was. I’m using carefresh bedding and have been spot cleaning daily. I’m concerned now he has a raw patch as that’s bound to get poo/wee on it I imagine. The vet is concerned it’s a mass and said if he doesn’t respond after a few more days then the only option would be to put him under and cut it open...but that doesn’t guarantee ‘fixing’ it.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, this is what I assumed it was. I’m using carefresh bedding and have been spot cleaning daily. I’m concerned now he has a raw patch as that’s bound to get poo/wee on it I imagine. The vet is concerned it’s a mass and said if he doesn’t respond after a few more days then the only option would be to put him under and cut it open...but that doesn’t guarantee ‘fixing’ it.

I am very sorry; can you bandage the foot?

 

[PatchandSilky]

I’ve no idea..never done it before and they didn’t mention it, but might be worth a look?

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve no idea..never done it before and they didn’t mention it, but might be worth a look?

Your vets may consider it better for healing if air can get at the scab wound; in that case, you have to poo patrol and change the bedding in the sitting areas very frequently.

 

[Freela]

Can you double-check that there is no tiny hair or anything else wrapped around the foot and obstructing circulation? This can happen and can be very hard to spot (happened to one of my hedgehogs once- we had to cut the hair off to restore circulation.) It does look quite sore and the color makes me wonder about circulation. Baytril can decrease appetite and cause stomach upset for some pigs, which may be why his appetite is low. A probiotic may help if his stomach is out of sorts due to the meds.

 

[PatchandSilky]

Can you double-check that there is no tiny hair or anything else wrapped around the foot and obstructing circulation? This can happen and can be very hard to spot (happened to one of my hedgehogs once- we had to cut the hair off to restore circulation.) It does look quite sore and the color makes me wonder about circulation. Baytril can decrease appetite and cause stomach upset for some pigs, which may be why his appetite is low. A probiotic may help if his stomach is out of sorts due to the meds.

I’ll try and have a look...I did wonder about giving his foot salt water baths? Can’t do any harm can it? I agree about circulation..I think his foot looks blue. I’m going to pets at home in the morning to look for a probiotic. To be fair he seems fine otherwise and seems happy...how would I know if he was in pain?

I kind of want to deal with it myself if possible and vet has said there’s not much else they can do if he doesn’t respond to anti-biotics. Obviously I don’t want him in pain but equally don’t want to put him to sleep if he’s not in pain

 

[PatchandSilky]

So I’ve given him salt baths daily and have checked there’s definitely nothing wrapped around his foot. He does have big scab looking things I’m dying to get off but I won’t as I don’t want to hurt him.

I’ve got him the probiotics which are in his water. He seems fine in himself and is eating, he’s back at the vets on Wednesday to check his weight.