Inflamation Or Infection To Foot?

[Ravengreg]

Hello All,

It would be good to get some advise on our current situation please...

Background info -

Our Ruby (6 month old sow) caught her outside toe nail on something 12 days ago (Friday 29th April) which snapped her toe nail clean off (according to the vet) - cue lots of blood from the nail which stopped after about 20 minutes. In panic we washed the foot with slightly warm salty water in the hope of avoiding infection.

Took her to the vet that day (29/04) whom said that as it had scabbed over she'd leave it to heal but she did prescribe baytril as a preventative measure (0.15ml twice a day).

We administered the baytril for 3 days at which time Ruby was completey off her food and loosing weight (30g in the space of 3 days) - at this stage we took the decision to stop the baytril which bought back her apetite.

Visit to the vet 7 days after the initial accident (Thursday 5th May), to which the vet said we'd done the correct thing with the baytril and that the toe had healed well and it would be unlikely to become infected going forward and that only to come back if it got worse.

Current situation -

Ruby seems fine in herself, running and eating fine etc., - no signs of pain or anything, however the toe is still slightly swollen and warmer than the others and we are thinking of another vet visit to check for infection - we are unsure if it is taking an unusually long time to heal?

What we dont want is another episode of anti-biotics (and weight loss) if this is not necessary seeing as though no other sypmtoms are presenting themselves. Could it just be the pad of the toe is being used more (for grip when running?) now that the nail is practically missing?

Does anyone have any thoughts please?

Many thanks

Greg

 

[RosieMaia]

In a somewhat similar situation, our vet prescribed hibiscrub washes twice daily plus topical treatment with an antibiotic cream, active ingredient was neomycin sulfate. I read in GuineaLynx that Neosporin/Tripple antibiotic ointment could also be used. You could check with your vet whether this would be a possibility in your case.

 

[helen105281]

I agree a topical antibiotic could be used or your vet could consider an antibiotic called Septrin which is usually kinder on the gut.

 

[Ravengreg]

Rosiemaia, Helen

Thank you both for your suggestions.

I have made an appointment to with the vet to get this checked agin and I will discuss your ideas with them.

Thanks so far

 

[TAN]

Most of my pigs have been on septrin at some time or other and never had any problems with it.

 

[Ravengreg]

Thanks all,

The vet inspected her foot / toe yesterday and is not concerned with it being infected as it looks clean and healthy!

She has been prescribed an anti-inflamatory (metacam), which I guess is to reduce the swelling (but not too sure - I was just pleased it weren't infected)