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Specialist Princess has osteomyelitis in her toe 😭

Camisla

Camisla

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there,
Our little rescue piggie has been at vey an been treated last week for bumble foot. She was rayed today and she has osteomyelitis in her toe.
Vet took swab too and going to see what antibiotics she needs to hopefully clear the infection. Says about 6 weeks maybe to clear but no guarantee.
What happens if it does clear? Had to keep me wee girl off school today as she was distraught when they kept her for an X-ray.
Vet also properly seen to her nails too which were curved round from her bad living conditions before she arrived at the rescue centre,
I’m feeling total rubbish. I am beating myself up thinking it’s something I should have spotted earlier.
Can any one share any light on the osteomyelitis... cases where it’s been resolved?
Thanks
 
One of the TEAS pigs recently had an operation to remove one of his toes. He didn't use his foot for a few days but he was soon feeling better. He's had a check up and it's all healed lovely. You would never think he'd ever had a toe there!
 
Jaycey said:
One of the TEAS pigs recently had an operation to remove one of his toes. He didn't use his foot for a few days but he was soon feeling better. He's had a check up and it's all healed lovely. You would never think he'd ever had a toe there!
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Sorry I’m not sure what the TEAS is but thanks for reply. I thought vet was going to suggest that when she called earlier however she wants to get the swab results back and then start her on more antibiotics, she mentioned 6 weeks..
I’m so emotional, she such a sweet little piggie. I feel I’ve let her down and the rescue centre too who trusted me with her. They really are looked after like royalty, I’ve bought so much for them for them to be comfortable. I researched everything to death to make sure we knew what we were doing but clearing somethings gone wrong 😢 my daughter reaction too when princess had to stay in over night for X-rays too really got to me. She was distraught and loves her piggy so much. Can’t help but feel guilt
 
TEAS is the name of the guinea pig rescue I volunteer for. I had a couple of the pigs stay with me over the past month and one had to have his toe removed just before he came to stay.

A bone infection isn't something that happens quickly so I would imagine she came with it, so you haven't done anything wrong.
 
Bone infection is usually a chronic syptom of diseased soft tissue surrounding the particular bone.in humans flucloxicillin is used and for a lenght of time 6 months.I'm unsure which antibiotics would be most suitable for cavies.any ' cillin drug in guinea pigs can not be given can cause death.i would suggest zythromycin maybe useful,the vet will await to see which antibiotics are sensitive the strain of gram + infection.you are not responsible for this,i agree with the above it takes a lenghty time for it to develop into infection of the bone.:hug:
 
Jaycey said:
TEAS is the name of the guinea pig rescue I volunteer for. I had a couple of the pigs stay with me over the past month and one had to have his toe removed just before he came to stay.

A bone infection isn't something that happens quickly so I would imagine she came with it, so you haven't done anything wrong.
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:agr:you have done nothing wrong x
 
Jaycey said:
TEAS is the name of the guinea pig rescue I volunteer for. I had a couple of the pigs stay with me over the past month and one had to have his toe removed just before he came to stay.

A bone infection isn't something that happens quickly so I would imagine she came with it, so you haven't done anything wrong.
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Thanks so much for taking time to reply. If that is worst case scenario for her to have a toe removed then hopefully she’d make a full recovery like your little foster piggy. It’s the waiting for the antibiotics to work that will kill me. Worrying it might spread further making her prognosis worse. 😬
 
eileen said:
Bone infection is usually a chronic syptom of diseased soft tissue surrounding the particular bone.in humans flucloxicillin is used and for a lenght of time 6 months.I'm unsure which antibiotics would be most suitable for cavies.any ' cillin drug in guinea pigs can not be given can cause death.i would suggest zythromycin maybe useful,the vet will await to see which antibiotics are sensitive the strain of gram + infection.you are not responsible for this,i agree with the above it takes a lenghty time for it to develop into infection of the bone.:hug:
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Thank you so much for your reply. All of you have made me feel so much better his morning. I’ve been tossing and turning since about 4am with little princess on my mind.I’ve to get her this morning so hoping antibiotics are ready for us then too if the results have come back.
I guess if it’s a worst case scenario in 6 weeks then I’m guessing the little toe might have to go, just scared it spreads in that time and prognosis is worse.
She’s a fab wee girl and v chilled so I know she won’t mind the prolonged meds, loving all the extra cuddles and so is my daughter. She’s only 6 and already confident holding her still while we do the medicines. My friend is a reiki master, I think Enlist her into the recovery plan, anything that might help ☺️ Xx
 
I’ve no experience of this but just wanted to reassure you @Camisla that this is not caused by anything you’ve done or not done xx
 
When Albert had his toe removed, he recovered very quickly. He needed a course of antibiotic (Zithromax) and it was quite sore to start with, but he was soon back to normal. When @Jaycey brought him back on Saturday, I couldn't believe how good it looked. You really wouldn't know there had ever been a toe there.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
When Albert had his toe removed, he recovered very quickly. He needed a course of antibiotic (Zithromax) and it was quite sore to start with, but he was soon back to normal. When @Jaycey brought him back on Saturday, I couldn't believe how good it looked. You really wouldn't know there had ever been a toe there.
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We’ve got another course of antibiotics and back in two weeks unlesss the culture shows something up and she needs to change antibiotics.
Collected princess earlier, she’s very subdued 😢 hope she forgives me. She is not taking food from my hand anymore, looks scared around us. Need to give her more antibiotics later. Will see how she goes.

Was alberts toe removed for the same thing? I’m worried it travels up her toe. I’ll speak to the vet when she phones as vet nurse couldn’t assure me this wouldn’t happen.
 
Camisla said:
We’ve got another course of antibiotics and back in two weeks unlesss the culture shows something up and she needs to change antibiotics.
Collected princess earlier, she’s very subdued 😢 hope she forgives me. She is not taking food from my hand anymore, looks scared around us. Need to give her more antibiotics later. Will see how she goes.

Was alberts toe removed for the same thing? I’m worried it travels up her toe. I’ll speak to the vet when she phones as vet nurse couldn’t assure me this wouldn’t happen.
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It was an infection in the toe. Simon was worried that it could spread to the foot and would then become a big procedure, if part of the foot needed to be removed. He said the removal of a toe is such a quick and simple procedure, it was best to go ahead with it immediately, especially as Albert is a lethal gene piggy and 5 1/2 years old too.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
It was an infection in the toe. Simon was worried that it could spread to the foot and would then become a big procedure, if part of the foot needed to be removed. He said the removal of a toe is such a quick and simple procedure, it was best to go ahead with it immediately, especially as Albert is a lethal gene piggy and 5 1/2 years old too.
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That’s what I’m worried about, 6 weeks down the line if antibiotics not worked it would be worse.i guess I have to go with what the vet recommends. She’s an exotic pet vet and seemed very good
 
Hi there,
Thought I’d give a wee update on my princess ..vet called last week to say the antibiotics she was on was effective however the swab results showed another bacteria on her foot so prescribed a more effect antibiotics so we started her last Friday in baytril. We are still giving the Metacam too.
Back to vet this morn for a check up and she’s pleased with the swelling as it gone down, her original scab is looking more superficial so healing well. She checked her over too, heart etc and we a wee feel about her and all good. I’ve been weighing her and her weight is stable.
So two more weeks of these antibiotics (this one does not Taste as nice as the septrin 😝 can tell from her reaction) then back to the vets.
So happy today all going well ☺️
 
That is great news!
Get the meds in and then follow up with something strong tasting she likes, like a bit of ribena. ;)
 
My Betsy must be the only piggy to ever like Baytril! Christian only tolerated it cos he knew yummy Metacam would follow.
 
Wiebke said:
That is great news!
Get the meds in and then follow up with something strong tasting she likes, like a bit of ribena. ;)
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Thanks ☺️ Been following with coriander or dill.... she doesn’t take it right away, it must taste disgusting 😂
 
Wiebke said:
That is great news!
Get the meds in and then follow up with something strong tasting she likes, like a bit of ribena. ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks ☺️ Been following with coriander or dill.... she doesn’t take it right away, it must taste disgusting
Betsy said:
My Betsy must be the only piggy to ever like Baytril! Christian only tolerated it cos he knew yummy Metacam would follow.
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Ha ha that’s hilarious.... she gets metacam too. Might make sure I give her it after the yucky stuff now. Then hopefully she will take her treat too ☺️
 
Hi everyone.. the next installment on princesses recovery is that we are putting a wee bandage on her foot with healing gel to keep it covered and hopefully get it healed once and for all.
We changed bandages yest and are it was off today, tried again and fell off again... tried again and it’s seemed to have started on. Terrified of wrapping too tight you see!
So hoping and praying this is the last step.. she’s still in baytril and metacam. Think this is her 3rd week of baytril.
I’m thankful she’s such a sweetie and just seems to take us fussing with syringes and now bandaged in her stride!
The wound is def not deep but looks more like a red rawish patch on her foot pad. Hoping having it covered will give it the chance it needs to properly heal up
Thanks for hanging on in there with me!!
 
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