Painful broken nail

[hannahs26]

I have found Rayla isn't putting her left foot down when walking, and is behaving reserved and keeping out of the way. I found she has somehow broken her nail, above the quick, and possibly twisted her finger. She's not squealing in pain when handling it, and I trimmed up to the quick, but didn't want to cut the broken bit as didn't want her in more pain.
Have contacted the vet, and he's advised to pull off the broken bit, but as I've trimmed already, just to leave be, and she should feel less discomfort by tomorrow. If she worsens, I'm to call him back.
Is there anything herbal or homeopathic which I may have at home which may help her? I have hypericum cream and calendula cream, and lots of homeopathic remedies.
I was only thinking yesterday that I need to compile a guinea pig first aid kid for emergencies :-(
Thank you for any help.

 

[piggieminder]

I wouldn't use anything from over the counter, some things used for us are toxic to guinea pigs. If she's in pain she needs Metacam from the vet, she should only need to take it for a few days. If she's twisted he toe it will also help reduce any swelling.

 

[Wiebke]

I have found Rayla isn't putting her left foot down when walking, and is behaving reserved and keeping out of the way. I found she has somehow broken her nail, above the quick, and possibly twisted her finger. She's not squealing in pain when handling it, and I trimmed up to the quick, but didn't want to cut the broken bit as didn't want her in more pain.
Have contacted the vet, and he's advised to pull off the broken bit, but as I've trimmed already, just to leave be, and she should feel less discomfort by tomorrow. If she worsens, I'm to call him back.
Is there anything herbal or homeopathic which I may have at home which may help her? I have hypericum cream and calendula cream, and lots of homeopathic remedies.
I was only thinking yesterday that I need to compile a guinea pig first aid kid for emergencies :-(
Thank you for any help.

Hi!

Just leave be and if necessary dab a little saline solution (mild disinfectant that you can make at home) on the break it if necessary.
Here is our non-medical first aid kit: First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

We strongly recommendat to refrain from using homeopathic and other DIY treatments on guinea pigs because they have different reactions to humans; by treating on spec you can make things easily worse rather than better. You need not chuck the kitchen sink at this just to help allay your own worries.

Ripped off, broken nails or nails where the quick has been caught are pretty common in guinea pigs. The nail will come off at some point and may eventually grow back if somewhat deformed. it won't impede your piggy's mobility.

 

[hannahs26]

Hi!

Just leave be and if necessary dab a little saline solution (mild disinfectant that you can make at home) on the break it if necessary.
Here is our non-medical first aid kit: First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

We strongly recommendat to refrain from using homeopathic and other DIY treatments on guinea pigs because they have different reactions to humans; by treating on spec you can make things easily worse rather than better. You need not chuck the kitchen sink at this just to help allay your own worries.

Ripped off, broken nails or nails where the quick has been caught are pretty common in guinea pigs. The nail will come off at some point and may eventually grow back if somewhat deformed. it won't impede your piggy's mobility.

Thank you so much for your fast reply yesterday. I didn't give any homeopathic or other things to her, as waited for advice first.
Your advice was really helpful and reassuring, thank you

 

[hannahs26]

I wouldn't use anything from over the counter, some things used for us are toxic to guinea pigs. If she's in pain she needs Metacam from the vet, she should only need to take it for a few days. If she's twisted he toe it will also help reduce any swelling.

Thank you for your help. After reading your and Weibke's replies I just dabbed some saline on it, and left alone. By evening she was putting some weight on it again, and appearing happier, so it seemed to help.
Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your help. After reading your and Weibke's replies I just dabbed some saline on it, and left alone. By evening she was putting some weight on it again, and appearing happier, so it seemed to help.
Thank you

The pain/discomfort is relatively short-lived and infection in well kept guinea pigs is very rare.
The one to look out for is any bleeding that lasts more than 10-15 minutes - that is when you need to see a vet asap. But again it is extremely rare. I remember only one case ever on here in the last decade.

 

[hannahs26]

The pain/discomfort is relatively short-lived and infection in well kept guinea pigs is very rare.
The one to look out for is any bleeding that lasts more than 10-15 minutes - that is when you need to see a vet asap. But again it is extremely rare. I remember only one case ever on here in the last decade.

That's reassuring. I do my best to keep them really safely and clean twice a day, so she's hopefully not at risk of infection. She's much brighter today, and limping a lot less thankfully