Ointments For Cuts?

[Malice]

So last night my boyfriend was trimming our piggies' nails when he accidentally nipped Syllabub's quick. Now, in seventeen years of piggies, this is hardly the first nail trimming accident I've witnessed (nor the worst; my very first guinea pig actually tore one of her nails off completely once, which bled far more and she was fine). Normally I just keep an an eye on the piggy to make sure the bleeding isn't too bad/stops and then keep an eye on them for the next few days to make sure it doesn't get infected. But I was reading around the forums and saw people suggesting putting various creams and such on clipped quicks/cuts, which had me thinking.

I've never had a guinea pig with any serious cuts, so I've never bothered with anything other than keeping the wound clean; but if I should get a wounded piggy (that doesn't need a vet), what creams and oinkments are okay? I saw some people suggesting Sudocrem and I had thought of Savlon/antiseptic cream, but are these okay to use on animals? My only concern is that they might ingest some, which I can't imagine would be healthy for them.

Would the best bet be a sea salt soak (if you can get the piggy to endure it!) as it's pretty inert but really good for soothing/cleaning out wounds?

I'm just curious as, as I said, I've never thought of using 'human' first aid on animals (nor have I ever particularly had need to). I was wondering what general consensus was as to what to use, what not to use, and if it's sometimes better to leave it? (I kind of go by how I'd treat myself; if I has a similar wound and I'd just leave it to heal without applying creams and such, then it's probably true for the piggy also; just keep an eye on it and make sure it's clean.)

Thanks!

 

[Critter]

I've heard of people putting talc on to stem the blood flow, but I feel more comfortable about using plain old saline solution to wash the cut with.
Sunrise tore a nail right off too, last year. I never thought it would grow back but it's started to now!

 

[gizzy]

Go on line and get sceptic sticks , they are handy to have in your medical cabinet for both pigs and humans, the cost is only a Cople of pounds
but if you go to your local chemist you will pay an arm and a leg,
They are non toxic used PROPALY ,, just a dab on the affected aria will stop bleeding in a few seconds

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Saline is generally the most ideal cleansing solution and the one I would recommend for most types of cuts. I'm usually loathe to apply any creams to cuts so would take advise on that on a case by case basis...the only times I've needed to use ointments is on stubborn scabs or hard growths (e.g. calluses) that needed softening.

Flour (or cornflour) can help to clot the blood flow from an over-clipped nail; I find it as effective as styptic sticks. And much cheaper. More readily to hand too!

 

[Wiebke]

I agree with the above posters!

Styptic sticks for the pharmacy, cornflour or flour to stem any heavy bleeding. Contact a vet if the bleeding is very strong or persistent and doesn't stop after about 5 minutes as normal.

To disinfect once the bleeding has stopped: saline solution, either sterile saline from the pharmacy or homemade by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 pint / 500 ml of boiled, cooled water. Hibiscrub is also very good for disinfecting.

Please don't use any creams. See a vet if the toe is looking inflamed/swollen or sore in the days after.

It would be advisable to have styptic sticks and saline or hibiscrub at home, just in case.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/first-aid-kit-for-guinea-pigs.36634/

 

[Malice]

Interesting you say about saline solution; I've always been told that for it to be isotonic it needs to be 1/4 teaspoon (of preferably non-iodised sea salt salt) to 250ml boiling water, which would make 1tsp to 500ml hypertonic, which really isn't ideal for wounds?

I've not hear of hibiscrub though, so I shall look that up. Thanks!