Limping due to Foot Spur?

[GPMomandPop]

Hi,

This morning we noticed that Henry looked like he was trying not to put any weight on his front left paw. He was due a bath today so we gave him a bath and washed his feet and noticed what we think is a foot spur on his bad foot. It looks a bit like two little skin tags coming form the same place on his foot and didn't seem to cause him any discomfort when we felt it.

However, he is clearly trying to avoid putting weight on that foot this evening and looks a little sorry for himself. He is eating but seemed to be in discomfort getting to the food bowl.

Has anyone else experienced a foot spur causing an issue like this? He will be going to the vet tomorrow but wanted to check first what people thought. He is 1yrs old and normally very happy and healthy!

Thanks in advance for any help,

Nikki

 

[sport_billy]

Bumping this up for you, good luck at vets tomorrow.

 

[Abi_nurse]

I wouldn't see how a spur would cause lameness, but i may be wrong. Hope the vets goes ok today. Let us know how it goes.

x.

 

[Freela]

I've had pigs with foot spurs, but have never had them limp or act as though their feet were sore because of them. Hope the vet can give you some help tomorrow!

 

[GPMomandPop]

Hi,

Thanks for your well wishes.

Henry saw the vet this morning and she suspects he has sprained his elbow. He seems a little better today and is willing to put a little weight on it now, although not fully. He is walking from one bed to another, and to the food bowl a lot more today too, which is good. The vet has given him Metacam to have once daily, for pain and swelling. We have to monitor him for 5-7 days and go back to the vet if he is still lame.

Another question I have is regarding his bottom teeth. We take our boys to the vet for a general check and to have their nails clipped roughly every 3 months, depending on the growth. The two vets which he usually sees have always said his teeth are absolutely fine. However, a new vet today said his bottom teeth are a little long and wanted to file them down. I panicked and said no because he is a greedy piggy and they don't stop him from eating masses of veg and hay, and gnawing on wood. He is a really happy, healthy, greedy piggy. She said she wouldn't clip them, just file them away... she showed me where she would file them down to and it was a good cm. I refused as I wasn't sure if that was appropriate and I have heard some horror stories about Guinea's and their teeth. Both of the vets he has seen before said his teeth were fine but to just check them regularly, obviously.
We're in contact with the rescue center that we adopted Henry from, so I have emailed them. The boys are due their annual check up with them so we'll take them to that this week so they can give us advice. We just wanted to get a feel of what others thoughts are on this subject.

Many thanks,

Nikki xx

 

[Abi_nurse]

I would get a second opinion about the teeth from a different vet. That way you will be able to see if all agree, or disagree about it. I would advise seeing a very experienced vet in dental care.

x.

 

[Freela]

I would also suggest getting a second opinion before doing anything to the teeth of a piggie who seems to be eating fine and is not having secondary issues. Hopefully a second opinion can shed some light on whether or not there is actually a problem.