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Possible Bumblefoot?

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Helenfelen

Helenfelen

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Hi I am new here, I have a Himalayan guinea pig who is 4 and a half years old, He has always been a bit lazy and fat but I noticed recently he had lost a bit of weight but he is still eating and drinking though. This afternoon we had him in the living room on our laps and when i put him back his foot started bleeding - had a look and there was a huge open sore covering the heel and a sort of scab on the side of the foot - I am taking him to the vets tomorrow and have bathed it and disinfected it and put a dressing on it to protect it - do you think it is bumblefoot and what am i looking at treatment wise please? xx
I have photo's but not sure how to add them!
 
Hi welcome to the forum, please could you confirm your location?

I am glad you are taking him to the vets, the weightloss alone is a concern. It does sound like it could be Bumblefoot but like Piggyfan says a photo would help. You have done the right thing cleaning it. I have a few questons?

What is he bedded on?
Does he seem in pain at all?
Does he have a history of any heart issues as bumblefoot can often be linked to heart issues as this would mean that his circulation is compromised?

On the subject of heart, have you noticed any of the following:

- laboured breathing? nodding in time with breathing?
- Blue lips, nose ears or feet?
- Deep sleep
- random coughing or a hooting sound followed by a cough?

The weight loss which can also be a sign of heart problems, how much weight has he lost and over what period of time?
 
Hi Helen - thanks - he is bedded on hay but has a large outdoor area which is where he usually is - he has eaten all the grass and it is due to be returfed (which i do every year) -no laboured breathing or blue lips - his ears are dark so can't tell but feet are pink apart from the sore, no coughing and had noticed yesterday that seemed to be hopping his back legs instead of running like he usually does when carrot is involved - he is very lazy and will sit in 1 spot all day if he can!
 
You can put the photo on photo bucket to post it on here if that is any easier.
 
This is Photobucket www.photobucket.com

Ok it doesn't sound heart related but when you go to the vets ask them to have a listen in case, my Nigel was a heart pig and had bumblefoot.
 
2014-04-16194240_zps7c2f0c38.jpg.html
2014-04-16194218_zpsd092b207.jpg.html

Hope this works - this is his foot! x
 
finally the upload file button has appeared! contrary to how i am portraying myself i am fairly computer savvy! lol 2014-04-16 19.42.40.webp 2014-04-16 19.42.18.webp
 
Woo hoo it worked.

That does look very sore and angry, I am not convinced it is bumblefoot though, possibly more like a wound from something.
 
thanks everyone - just checked on him and he is eating and drinking still and seems ok in himself!
 
How did it go at the vets today? It does look very similar to bumblefoot with either some spurs at the side or scabbing.
 
going this afternoon! getting him out and bathing it shortly so will try to get some better pics! xx
 
Had him out and bathed & disinfected his wound - i think it's bumblefoot as all his feet are affected! Here are the pics from today!
2014-04-17 11.11.55.webp 2014-04-17 11.11.42.webp2014-04-17 11.12.14.webp 2014-04-17 11.11.30.webp
 
Yes that looks like Bumblefoot to me now I can see the whole foot, last night's photo was quite close up so looked more like a normal wound. I agree with Dindypig that there are spurs too.
 
That's what i thought to be honest! and with it on all his feet - my poor little piggy! Have put fleece down in his hutch now instead of the straw & sawdust! the rabbit now seems depressed as i've separated them!
 
ouch :( that looks sore. Good luck at the vets and yes fleece is going to be much kinder on his feet. Bless him.
 
Ask the vet if he has spurs on the sides of his feet and if so will he remove them and show you how to do it your self at a later date. Once you know how to remove spurs, they can be done easily when trimming nails.
 
he was having a good walk round on it when i put him down, bless him. feel so bad - he must have had it a while to be like that but it never occurred to me to check the bottom of his feet - generally check his fur & ears & weight when holding him but not feet! big hard lesson learned though! :(
 
Just catching up on this thread, lots of hugs to your piggy. Good job for putting the fleece in, definitely keep it in for good (unless it gets too hot) and put the hay in a pot or corner.
Bumblefoot can be caused by multiple things but the most common cases are caused from harder bedding, throughout his treatment, keeping the bedding as soft and cushioning as can be is best for the little buddy. Has he got a cage mate?
Don't worry, it's not your fault, I used to use hay/straw; but from now on it would be best for him to stay off straw/sawdust.
Best of luck to the little guy xoxo
 
Helenfelen said:
he was having a good walk round on it when i put him down, bless him. feel so bad - he must have had it a while to be like that but it never occurred to me to check the bottom of his feet - generally check his fur & ears & weight when holding him but not feet! big hard lesson learned though! :(
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It's okay, now you know so it can be prevented from happening again :) Everyone's had to learn the hard way at least once
 
He was in with a rabbit (i know but it was recommended at the time by a vet and a pet forum!) but I have separated them -Buddy (the rabbit) is now depressed!
 
Helenfelen said:
He was in with a rabbit (i know but it was recommended at the time by a vet and a pet forum!) but I have separated them -Buddy (the rabbit) is now depressed!
Click to expand...
Ok, that's good he has a friend. Have you put the cages next to eachother so they can see one another?
(I'm not experienced with rabbits, but Buddy may just be sulking; he should get over it within a day especially if their cages are next to each others; if he's still depressed after a couple of days I'd suggest taking him to a vet).
 
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