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limping guinea pig :(

sarah_sparkle

sarah_sparkle

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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We took our guinea pigs to a lady that clips small animals nails today. My timid girl was actually ok with it, which surprised me, but my boy who is normally so calm didnt like it at all and squealed all the way through it. Unfortunately the lady did nip one nail in a bit too far and it started bleeding, so she applied a special powder. I do have to say at this point, that these guineas are older ones (both 5) that we have just rehomed, and their nails were very long to begin with. ive just got them out to gaze in the garden, and have noticed that the boy is limping :( hes not putting any pressure on his foot at all and is holding it out to the side. My husband says that he may just be sore from the nail that got cut too far, and to give it a day or two to see what happens. Id like some advice from others, as being someone who hasnt kept guinea pigs before, i dont know if this is normal or if I'm right in worrying about him. I hate that i had to take them to have it done, because they were so scared, but it absolutely had to be done as they were so long, and i was worried about doing them myself. I'm grateful for any advice anyone can give me. Thanks so much xx
 
You did right with them. I would think the same as your husband and give it a day or so-just maybe inspect for any other little injuries that might not have been present before. I've never had this in a guinea pig before (although a concern as well). Hopefully someone with some better insight here will jump on.

Hoping the little one is limp free very soon. I always send out an extra thought to anyone such as yourself adopting a special little one needing to be re-homed. These little ones have very good new parents.
 
It may well just be that the paw is slightly tender after the nick but if you are concerned go see a vet.
I take mine to the vet nurse for their nails to be clipped and occasionally a wriggly piggy will get a slight nick - it’s never been a problem.

Welcome to the forum and it will be lovely to see pics of your piggies.
There’s a lot of experience, wisdom, support and information on the forum as well as fun.
 
Thank you both. I'm a natural born worrier as it is, but i hate to think that he is in pain. i'll keep an eye on him and see how he is in the morning.

Ive also updated my avatar as you mentioned seeing their picture. Ive never had guinea pigs before, i ive fallen head over heels in love with them! :)
 
I've never experienced limping after accidentally cutting a nail too short on one go, if it was cut a lot too short then perhaps it is very sore but it's equally likely to be an unrelated issue. I would try and have a feel of his leg to see if there's anywhere he has particular soreness or can feel any breaks. Check his feet as well looking for swelling, redness and inflammation. If there's any of these signs then pop him to the vet as there could be a break, sprain or infection.

Don't worry though, even the most experienced owners still clip the quick from time to time. My male at the moment doesn't mind a trim unless I cut too short but the girls are kickers and lily still screams. My last boar didn't mind having it done but he would squeal with each clip just to let the neighbours know I was being a mean piggy mum
 
He was fine right before we took him in, so it definitely happened in there. I'm hoping its just a sore toe, rather than her having pulled his leg a little too far out or something. I'm probably over worrying about it, but i will keep an eye on him, and take him to the vets if it doesnt improve. I'll do as you suggested too and have a look and feel. he really did scream all the way through it. i felt as bad as i did when i took the kids to have their jabs when they were babies lol. I guess its something I'm going to have to get used to if he screams every time, bless him x
 
sarah_sparkle said:
He was fine right before we took him in, so it definitely happened in there. I'm hoping its just a sore toe, rather than her having pulled his leg a little too far out or something. I'm probably over worrying about it, but i will keep an eye on him, and take him to the vets if it doesnt improve. I'll do as you suggested too and have a look and feel. he really did scream all the way through it. i felt as bad as i did when i took the kids to have their jabs when they were babies lol. I guess its something I'm going to have to get used to if he screams every time, bless him x
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I remember very little anymore of my terrors being babies but I'm quite sure I cringe way more when one of my guinea pigs or two chihuahuas makes any kind of groan, load noise or quick movement as if in some discomfort lol. I wonder if that's age.....

Your guinea pigs are just so beautiful! It only gets better getting to know these precious ones.
 
I'm with Ladykelly here, I've never heard or seen a piggy whose limped after a slight nip when trimming. So I have to go with my instinct too, in that keep on eye on your piggy, perhaps even weigh him now and keep a check on him, additional checking for any hotness on the foot which would be clear sign of infection too.
Let us know how you get on, will be interesting.
 
sarah_sparkle said:
Thank you both. I'm a natural born worrier as it is, but i hate to think that he is in pain. i'll keep an eye on him and see how he is in the morning.

Ive also updated my avatar as you mentioned seeing their picture. Ive never had guinea pigs before, i ive fallen head over heels in love with them! :)
Click to expand...
I know what you mean by falling in love with them! Had mine nearly two weeks and I think I may be slightly obsessed with these little furries! Hope he is ok and happy again in the morning
 
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