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Possible Bumblefoot on Maisie?

PoptartShop

PoptartShop

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi guys. :( I'm sad to be posting in this area once again, as you know my guinea pig Maple passed away a few weeks ago from gastric stasis...her sister Maisie has been coping pretty well, however, now SHE has an issue. Minor, but still!

Backstory: She's on fleece bedding. I keep her cage clean. Super soft. She IS a bit on the overweight side though LOL. She weighs 3.4lbs. Over 3 years old.
I've been giving her more floor time though & not giving her treats, increasing her exercise etc.
Diet: She gets fed unlimited amounts of Oxbow hay blends, she gets Oxbow pellets, & of course veggies. Plenty of vitamin C as well.
Her nails are not overgrown (I clip them as needed, usually 1x a month).

Yesterday, out of nowhere, she began walking almost like she had a limp. I was like what's wrong?!
Turns out she didn't want to put any pressure on her left front paw. I looked at it, & I saw a tiny, very tiny 'scab' looking thing...looked like Bumblefoot possibly? She didn't really want me going near it. She has some spurs, but nothing major, I've left them alone.

So, I went ahead & soaked her paw in some Epsom salt with warm water. I also put some Neosporin on it (very little). I have coconut oil as well which I heard can help?

I did another Epsom soak this morning before work. Today she was walking better, not 100% but better, & she also didn't mind the soak AS much (last night she barely wanted her paw touching anything). So I am hopeful it's improving with the soaks. :(

Any other ideas on how I can help keep her comfortable? I'm not super familiar with Bumblefoot & I am keeping a close watch on it, if it gets worse I will take her to the vet, but as of right now I can't really afford another vet visit at the moment unless absolutely necessary (Maple's vet bill ran me up over $700, which I would do again in a heartbeat but finances are tough). Thank you.

Sorry I couldn't get super clear pictures, but you can kinda see. I'll try to get a clear one later.
 

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If it is the start of something, then you need to take her to the vet. Undertaking any form of home treatment can make the problem worse as it delays the start of appropriate treatment and can mask symptoms making it harder for a diagnosis.
 
I will keep a watch on it & and keep you guys updated, as she has shown improvement since last night but I know it's still early. Thank you.
 
If you suspect bumblefoot then it would be much easier and cheaper to go to the vet now than wait for it to get worse. The infection from bumblefoot can spread into the bone which can be fatal or necessitate amputation in the worst case scenarios. I know vets bills are a lot higher in the US and it's always difficult when you haven't had time to recover the last payout from the vet fund but it could save you money in the long run as well as save Maisie suffering if it is something like bumblefoot.
 
Also make sure you aren't overfeeding pellets and veg daily. She's a large lady indeed but if she is overweight then it really won't help her feet and joints
 
Oh no, I'm not overfeeding them at all, I was just telling you guys what food she's on, lol. Sorry if it came off that way.

I may just call the vet & have them suggest what I do, because I have a new thing of Baytril & bene-bac (probiotic) from when Maple was sick (only used it one time, then she ended up passing), I have clean brand new syringes/needles (they gave me like 15, I kept them in case I need them in future) I could give her that if that's what they would give me anyway. Obviously I will call them & get the correct dosage etc. I can't afford a visit right now unfortunately & I don't get paid for another week. :( If they're just gonna prescribe those to me anyway, I'll save some money since I already have them at home.

I won't give her anything until speaking with them.

I'll keep you guys posted. It's pretty minor & getting better (definitely since last night). Thank you.
 
PoptartShop said:
Oh no, I'm not overfeeding them at all, I was just telling you guys what food she's on, lol. Sorry if it came off that way.

I may just call the vet & have them suggest what I do, because I have a new thing of Baytril & bene-bac (probiotic) from when Maple was sick (only used it one time, then she ended up passing), I have clean brand new syringes/needles (they gave me like 15, I kept them in case I need them in future) I could give her that if that's what they would give me anyway. Obviously I will call them & get the correct dosage etc. I can't afford a visit right now unfortunately & I don't get paid for another week. :( If they're just gonna prescribe those to me anyway, I'll save some money since I already have them at home.

I won't give her anything until speaking with them.

I'll keep you guys posted. It's pretty minor & getting better (definitely since last night). Thank you.
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My comment was about you saying she's overweight not to do with what you said you were feeding
 
Okay, no problem. She's a plump girl, but when I took her to the vet (brought her with Maple for support) they said she isn't TOO obese, but no treats for sure. LOL. She has made improvement since last night, like I said I will keep you posted & I am keeping a watch on her, absolutely. Sorry, I just don't want people assuming I'm not doing a good job or taking her to the vet, when that's not the case. :( I'm already fragile because of what happened with Maple, so I just don't want anyone thinking I'm not doing the best I can. Her vet bill was over $700 & I just don't have anymore right now. I am going to call the vet tonight when I get home, because I do have Baytril & Bene-bac at the house, if that's what they're going to give me anyway. If not, I will figure out what to do somehow, I will not let her suffer as you all know I am doing my best. Thank you. <3
 
Don't worry, it would be an extremely rare occasion for someone to post on a public forum asking for help who didn't want the best for their pet. I think calling the vets and asking advice over the phone is a good starting point. Just be aware they might not be willing to suggest treatments without an examination but it's definitely worth trying
 
Yeah, I think so too, I'm going to explain my situation to them. Crossing my fingers they will help, or at least let me do a payment plan worse case scenario, they were amazing with Maple & very understanding. Hard to find good vets around here so I am glad I have them. Thank you, I appreciate it, you guys have been so helpful & it's hard not to worry so much about these little babies, esp when these things happen out of nowhere. :( Will keep you posted when I get home tonight & see Maisie.

I may not be able to reach them until tomorrow AM, not sure if they are open late tonight, I forget which days they are, but as soon as I talk to them, I will let you guys know what happens.🤞 Crossing fingers.
 
I spoke to the vet's assistant after work on the phone, waiting for the actual vet to call me back sometime today though. They are really nice & helpful.

They did say I could give her Baytril (0.4ml 1x a day). I did give her some last night though & she was okay with it. I may have to bring her into the vet if no improvement, it's just a matter of when (I don't get paid for another week unfortunately, so going right now is not an option).

Also gave her some of the Benebac (not a full gram) in case the antibiotics were to cause any stomach upset/diarrhea. She's still eating fine & getting around better, poops are normal as well, her paw hasn't worsened which is good, did another Epsom soak this morning before work too. She's allowing some pressure on it now!

Anyone else deal with Bumblefoot before though? Curious to see what was done & how long treatment took, the process etc., thank you. Curious to know more about it, as it's my first time dealing with it. Forgot to get another picture. Gotta try again tonight.
 
Well, turns out I'm an idiot. *facepalm* It's just a darn SPUR! She has some on her front paws, I've trimmed a few back & they don't seem to bother her, but that one must have been. There hasn't been any swelling, & she's not limping anymore, walking fine , she puts pressure on her paw now.

It's definitely NOT Bumblefoot, thank goodness. Sorry for triple posting. :(
 
PoptartShop said:
Well, turns out I'm an idiot. *facepalm* It's just a darn SPUR! She has some on her front paws, I've trimmed a few back & they don't seem to bother her, but that one must have been. There hasn't been any swelling, & she's not limping anymore, walking fine , she puts pressure on her paw now.

It's definitely NOT Bumblefoot, thank goodness. Sorry for triple posting. :(
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Well at least it's a good reason for feeling an idiot! Always best to be cautious. Perhaps she had caught it and that was why she was limping.
 
Lady Kelly said:
Well at least it's a good reason for feeling an idiot! Always best to be cautious. Perhaps she had caught it and that was why she was limping.
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True, gosh I still feel silly though!:mal: My mind always goes to the worst possible thing lol.
 
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