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Poppy - two problems, need opinions

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tattyruncy

tattyruncy

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I live in Scampton village, famous for the Dambust
I took Poppy to the rodentologist last night as over the weekend I had noticed a small hard lump towards her back end :(
The rodentologist had a good look over her and it is parasitic :( and to top it off she discovered bumblefoot on her paw :( Its the same paw that she had bumblefoot about a year ago when we first got her from rescue.
I feel mortified that she has bumblefoot and I hadn't noticed :( and gutted that she has parasites.
I cuddle all my girls every day and they are thoroughly cleaned out every morning - clean vet bed without fail.
They are all bathed every 4-6 weeks with lice and easy which is repeated after 7 days.
What am I doing wrong :(
The rodentologist has been great and Poppy had some Rimadyl - a quarter of a tablet, and she has some more which the rodentologist gave me.
I don't quite know what to do about the bumblefoot for the best :( the rodentologist said not to allow it to get wet - I was thinking of getting happy soles cream? or should I bathe in iodine?
I have a small amount of flea or die to use to bath all the girls with today, the rodentologist thought that Poppy might have a fungal infection? I should also get some nizoral shampoo for in between the flea or die.
She also said the bumblefoot may have occured due to Poppy having parasites. Poor Poppy - she had to have her toofy pegs filed down aswell as they grow at an angle, she hated it and squealed 8... I feel a bad piggy mother that she has got poorly and I didn't see her poorly foot.
I have tried to get a picture of her bumblefoot.

DSC05102.jpg
 
Aww Bless you and poor Poppy. I'm afraid that I don't really have any advise as I have never had these issues to deal with (touch wood). But one thing I can say, is that you are NOT a bad piggy mummy. You are an excellent one. Please do not beat yourself up as guinea problems can happen so quickly.
(((hugs))) to you and my girls are sending piggy x>>x>> to Poppy x
 
Thank you Claire :) I've just ordered some Happy Soles then at least it is on its way in the post should I need it :)
Poppy is such a sweetheart, she is 4-5 years old bless her, she doesn't seem bothered bless her, but then they can't tell you can they :( The Rimadyl is anti-inflammatory as well as pain relief so I hope she is not in pain :(
 
Hiya, firstly as Claire said you are not a bad piggy mummy.

Make sure she is on fleece or towels or something soft as it will be uncomfortable for her. Is she on Baytril? You can get foot soaks for this condition and if you look at Peter Gurney's site you should get all info you need -

I seem to remember also that using the cushioned corn plasters - the round ones like a polo mint can be used after treatment to help cushion the wound.

Do wait for more advice on this as others will be able to help also who maybe have actual experience of this condition.

Love Helen.
x
 
Thank you Helen :) I will look at Peter Guerney's websites :) She is not on Baytril - I will ring the vets and get an appt so I can get her some :) Poppy is always on vet bed which is freshly changed everyday :) I was really impressed with the pictures of the piggy on GG website which had bumblefoot and treated with Happy Soles - the improvement is staggering, hopefully Poppy will benefit from this :)
 
You are doing nothing wrong. The fact that you took her to see a rodentologist is proof in itself of your love and care for your piggies! I remember one of my sows had severe hairloss on her sides, and an obvious stone in her urethra, and I never noticed until Vedra pointed them out - some things are not easy to spot unless you give the most thorough checkover, which isn't easy with some pigs.

The effectiveness of Baytril on bumblefoot is very much "up in the air"; often it makes no difference, and many pigs live out the rest of their lives with the condition despite various attempts to cure it - Baytril would not be practical in such cases. It is up to you if you'd like to try Baytril; you have to do what you feel comfortable with. Anti-inflammatories could be beneficial, and will relieve any pain from the foot. Foot soaks in diluted Povidone Iodine or diluted Chlorhexidine Gluconate (Hibiscrub) are often tried, with varying success.

Personally I would recommend the Happy Soles ointment and an anti-inflammatory (Rimadyl/Metacam), give her a week on that and see how she's doing. Maybe consider trying foot soaks every few days, rather than once or twice daily as is done by some.
 
Thank you :) I have enough Rimadyl for 4 more doses. I have some metacam left over from my rabbit teddy being poorly. Should I use that when the Rimadyl runs out? (It's 1.5mg/ml oral suspension for dogs). if I think she is uncomfortable?
Where do I get Iodine, I'm presuming the chemist? sorry to sound thick :)
 
You can give around 0.1ml of Metacam as she needs it - just leave at least 24 hours between the Rimadyl and Metacam as both are NSAIDs and they shouldn't be given close together.

My own supplies of Povidone Iodine were sent by a friend in the US, as yet I've not needed to buy it in UK! :))
I am not sure if a chemist/pharmacy will sell it, but I do know of an online store that stocks it:
http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/vetasept-povidone-iodine-antiseptic-solution_1_20573.html
 
She's gorgeous! I love how her hair and skin colour lines up perfectly where the hair colour changes.
 
She is looking good! I love your cage setups - and the pink Vetbed! :(|)
 
Bumblefoot is an absolute pig to treat!
Baytril is a waste of time.
Often the swellng will burst and there will be a white discharge, I put Aloe Vera ointment, or Manuka honey, on the sole and then put micropore tape around the foot.
Bumblefoot can be quite destructive. It is not uncommon for pieces of bone to be shed from the foot, either through the sole or, occasionally through the top of the foot.
My oldest pig, almost five years old, has the condition, at the moment. However, for reasons I don't know, the problem is in remission, for want of a better description.
All of which means, best of luck, let us know if you find a cure!
 
Thanks for that AP :) I didn't bother with the Baytril. I am hoping the Happy Soles ointment will work a miracle - which I am goint to try first, failing that I will have to try something else - lots of people have lots of ideas - the pictures on GG website has kept me positive hoping it will be able to get sorted.
 
The Happy Soles ointment arrived this morning - we have done a patch test on Poppy - hopefully start using tonight if there are no signs of irritation. She was not impressed at having her Rimadyl this morning. She seems happy in herself. Will keep you all posted on her condition.
 
Please don't feel bad. Many pigs have problems that go unnoticed by their owners. Lots of people have given you good advice on here and you are lucky to have found a good rodentologist too. Wishing you and Pop all the best and hope she's sorted soon :)
 
Great news! That the scab has come off and it's fresh and clean underneath is a good sign. :)
 
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