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Is this bumble foot?

S

Surfergirl

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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I can’t believe I’m here again with another issue! Poor Biscuit had some blood on the fleece and my daughter has spotted it between her toes.
I’ve bathed her gently and can’t get the black bit off, which looks like poo, but I think it’s a spur? There is no visible sign of a crack or fresh blood after the wash.
I have just read other posts and the link on here for
[HEADING=3]pododermatitis[/HEADING]
I’ve read to wash in Epsom Salts. Is Sudocrem okay to use or do I need something from the vets? I’ve got a course of Baytril I didn’t use previously, I am thinking of contacting the vet as it seems it might be a good precaution.

Any advice on what I can do until I see the vet is much appreciated. Thank you.
 

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Bumblefoot is when there are open sores on the feet and bacteria gets in.
If you ever suspect bumblefoot then that needs to be seen by a vet, it can be quite hard to deal with and a method which works for one may not work for another. Sudocrem can be very drying on the skin and is the last thing a sore foot needs.
A spur is a hardened piece of skin.
To me it looks like a wound in the middle of the foot with something stuck in it? Very difficult for us to tell from a picture and this is why a hands on vet checks is always the best thing. If it is indeed a wound, because that is how bacteria would get in.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Bumblefoot is when there are open sores on the feet and bacteria gets in.
If you ever suspect bumblefoot then that needs to be seen by a vet, it can be quite hard to deal with and a method which works for one may not work for another. Sudocrem can be very drying on the skin and is the last thing a sore foot needs.
A spur is a hardened piece of skin.
To me it looks like a wound in the middle of the foot with something stuck in it? Very difficult for us to tell from a picture and this is why a hands on vet checks is always the best thing. If it is indeed a wound, because that is how bacteria would get in.
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Thank you for your advice, I will get it professionally checked by the vet. There is nothing in her indoor cage which could’ve wounded her, and no longer a mate. I’ve been taking her outside on the grass daily myself and sitting with her, to ensure she eats and is happy, following her recent illness, so definitely hasn’t wounded it outside either.
I will try and get a better photo later when I get her out again.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Bumblefoot is when there are open sores on the feet and bacteria gets in.
If you ever suspect bumblefoot then that needs to be seen by a vet, it can be quite hard to deal with and a method which works for one may not work for another. Sudocrem can be very drying on the skin and is the last thing a sore foot needs.
A spur is a hardened piece of skin.
To me it looks like a wound in the middle of the foot with something stuck in it? Very difficult for us to tell from a picture and this is why a hands on vet checks is always the best thing. If it is indeed a wound, because that is how bacteria would get in.
Click to expand...
Ps is the red bulbous shape at the top of her foot okay please?
 
Surfergirl said:
Thank you for your advice, I will get it professionally checked by the vet. There is nothing in her indoor cage which could’ve wounded her, and no longer a mate. I’ve been taking her outside on the grass daily myself and sitting with her, to ensure she eats and is happy, following her recent illness, so definitely hasn’t wounded it outside either.
I will try and get a better photo later when I get her out again.
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Surfergirl said:
Ps is the red bulbous shape at the top of her foot okay please?
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the red part at the top doesn’t look abnormal to me.

It might just be the angle of the picture which is making it look different to how you are actually seeing it!
It may be a foot spur which may or may not need dealing with. Some spurs can just be left alone, others may need a vet to deal with them if they are catching and causing bleeding.
 
Piggies&buns said:
the red part at the top doesn’t look abnormal to me.

It might just be the angle of the picture which is making it look different to how you are actually seeing it!
It may be a foot spur which may or may not need dealing with. Some spurs can just be left alone, others may need a vet to deal with them if they are catching and causing bleeding.
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Ok that’s great, thank you very much. I think it is a spur as it has been there for a while and I’ve thought it was a poo, but then realised it’s like thicken skin attached to the foot. It must be causing a problem so I’ll get her off to the vet again!
Do you know what the vets usually do with them? She’s on pain relief so I’m hoping she’ll be comfortable until I get her seen this week.
 
Surfergirl said:
Ok that’s great, thank you very much. I think it is a spur as it has been there for a while and I’ve thought it was a poo, but then realised it’s like thicken skin attached to the foot. It must be causing a problem so I’ll get her off to the vet again!
Do you know what the vets usually do with them? She’s on pain relief so I’m hoping she’ll be comfortable until I get her seen this week.
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Spurs themselves aren’t painful, it is only when they get caught and pull which will cause discomfort.
The vet can remove any which are problematic. It’s not something you should try yourself as they can bleed a lot
 
Piggies&buns said:
Spurs themselves aren’t painful, it is only when they get caught and pull which will cause discomfort.
The vet can remove any which are problematic. It’s not something you should try yourself as they can bleed a lot
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Thank you very much, I wouldn’t dare touch it, I’m a wimp! I’ll definitely leave it to the vet.
 
Surfergirl said:
Thank you for your advice, I will get it professionally checked by the vet. There is nothing in her indoor cage which could’ve wounded her, and no longer a mate. I’ve been taking her outside on the grass daily myself and sitting with her, to ensure she eats and is happy, following her recent illness, so definitely hasn’t wounded it outside either.
I will try and get a better photo later when I get her out again.
Click to expand...

I agree - it rather looks like a ripped foot spur and not a bumble-foot sore to me. Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) typically happens in the middle of a pad whereas spurs are growing on the sides of the pads or the foot.
Anyway, it all looks very sore and rather inflamed to me.

Please see a vet prompty and disinfect asap. You can make your own saline solution at home by boiling 1/2 pint or 250 ml of water and then mix in 1 teaspoon of salt once cooled.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

All the best!
 
Wiebke said:
I agree - it rather looks like a ripped foot spur and not a bumble-foot sore to me. Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) typically happens in the middle of a pad whereas spurs are growing on the sides of the pads or the foot.
Anyway, it all looks very sore and rather inflamed to me.

Please see a vet prompty and disinfect asap. You can make your own saline solution at home by boiling 1/2 pint or 250 ml of water and then mix in 1 teaspoon of salt once cooled.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

All the best!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice. I’m ringing the vet first thing tomorrow and should be able to see the vet tomorrow. I have disinfected it and am changing her bedding every two hours if soiled. She’s still eating and walking so hopefully she’ll be okay until tomorrow.
 
Wiebke said:
I agree - it rather looks like a ripped foot spur and not a bumble-foot sore to me. Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) typically happens in the middle of a pad whereas spurs are growing on the sides of the pads or the foot.
Anyway, it all looks very sore and rather inflamed to me.

Please see a vet prompty and disinfect asap. You can make your own saline solution at home by boiling 1/2 pint or 250 ml of water and then mix in 1 teaspoon of salt once cooled.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

All the best!
Click to expand...
Just to let you know, I’ve rang the emergency line and they’ve made me an appointment for tomorrow morning.
 
Wiebke said:
I agree - it rather looks like a ripped foot spur and not a bumble-foot sore to me. Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) typically happens in the middle of a pad whereas spurs are growing on the sides of the pads or the foot.
Anyway, it all looks very sore and rather inflamed to me.

Please see a vet prompty and disinfect asap. You can make your own saline solution at home by boiling 1/2 pint or 250 ml of water and then mix in 1 teaspoon of salt once cooled.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

All the best!
Click to expand...
Ps have you any idea From experience what they might do to her, just so I can prepare myself mentally? I’m not great when my pets are poorly, so would rather know what might happen beforehand if possible please!
 
Little update from this morning, it’s definitely looking a lot better after a wash and disinfect, but I have a vets appointment tomorrow morning to get her checked.
 

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Surfergirl said:
Ps have you any idea From experience what they might do to her, just so I can prepare myself mentally? I’m not great when my pets are poorly, so would rather know what might happen beforehand if possible please!
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Hi

I expect some topical (outside) treatment and likely an antibiotic.
BUT I am not a vet - not even close - and I am not the one treating the foot. It very much depends on their hands-on examination.

Make sure that you keep the cage very clean; epsecially the sleeping area.
 
Surfergirl said:
Thank you. Fingers crossed it’s not an amputation I’ve been reading about and scared me! It’s definitely much improved from first thing.
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No, it is not going to be an amputation. These are only ever a measure of the very last resort once medical treatment has failed and only if the infection has penetrated too far into the leg/bone for there to be any other way - usually for guinea pigs with long term untreated and really badly advanced cases of bumblefoot from serious neglect backgrounds that fetch up in rescue. Not that 'tripod' piggies can lead a pretty much normal and full life... I've met several rescue residents. Your piggy is nowhere near that league.
Yours may look concerning to you but it is a fresh injury/infection.

If you have anxiety/mental health problems, please stay away from reading online stuff; even more so all the horror stories. You only prime yourself for all the worst case scenarios that are unlikely to come to pass and end up scaring yourself badly. Not at all helpful, neither for your piggy nor for yourself.
Please take the time to read this article I have written for Guinea Pig Magazine. You should find it very useful: Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters
 
Wiebke said:
No, it is not going to be an amputation. These are only ever a measure of the very last resort once medical treatment has failed and only if the infection has penetrated too far into the leg/bone for there to be any other way - usually for guinea pigs with long term untreated and really badly advanced cases of bumblefoot from serious neglect backgrounds that fetch up in rescue. Not that 'tripod' piggies can lead a pretty much normal and full life... I've met several rescue residents. Your piggy is nowhere near that league.
Yours may look concerning to you but it is a fresh injury/infection.

If you have anxiety/mental health problems, please stay away from reading online stuff; even more so all the horror stories. You only prime yourself for all the worst case scenarios that are unlikely to come to pass and end up scaring yourself badly. Not at all helpful, neither for your piggy nor for yourself.
Please take the time to read this article I have written for Guinea Pig Magazine. You should find it very useful: Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters
Click to expand...
Thank you, I did read that helpful article the other day. Don’t suffer from anxiety, just get super worried when a pet needs to see the vet! Treat mine as I would a child, they get 5* treatment, so when they’re poorly, I’m probably overly concerned. It was the amputation I read about on this site when I searched sore foot for information. Don’t generally google elsewhere. This website is fantastic with such knowledgeable members who give wonderful advice.
 
Surfergirl said:
Thank you, I did read that helpful article the other day. Don’t suffer from anxiety, just get super worried when a pet needs to see the vet! Treat mine as I would a child, they get 5* treatment, so when they’re poorly, I’m probably overly concerned. It was the amputation I read about on this site when I searched sore foot for information. Don’t generally google elsewhere. This website is fantastic with such knowledgeable members who give wonderful advice.
Click to expand...

Sense can go right out of the window when somebody is involved that you love strongly and worry about.

I would recommend staying off online research because it is not balanced and as a lay person you are very often not able to put things into the proper perspective. There is also the point that where you love strongly, you can do things you would never imagine being able to do or endure simply on the strength of your love, no matter how scary it is. Because you do not have to be strong yourself; but your love is and it will see you through. ;)
 
Bill & Ted said:
Good luck, hope it goes well at the vets and she is on the mend very so
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Wiebke said:
Sense can go right out of the window when somebody is involved that you love strongly and worry about.

I would recommend staying off online research because it is not balanced and as a lay person you are very often not able to put things into the proper perspective. There is also the point that where you love strongly, you can do things you would never imagine being able to do or endure simply on the strength of your love, no matter how scary it is. Because you do not have to be strong yourself; but your love is and it will see you through. ;)
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply.
May I ask if the outside nail is normal being black? I know nothing about feet, but it almost looks ‘dead’ compared to the others. Is that normal or should I mention it to the vet as well please?
 
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