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Ripped Out Nail

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ayemee

ayemee

Adult Guinea Pig
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I've just noticed Mabel's toe nail looks like it's been ripped out. The nail isn't actually off yet but almost. The toe has swollen now too.

The vets are not open until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon. Will it be okay until then if I just bathe it in salt water?

She's being really grumpy today and now I realise it's probably because she's in pain. :(
 
ayemee said:
I've just noticed Mabel's toe nail looks like it's been ripped out. The nail isn't actually off yet but almost. The toe has swollen now too.

The vets are not open until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon. Will it be okay until then if I just bathe it in salt water?

She's being really grumpy today and now I realise it's probably because she's in pain. :(
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Yes, it is OK to wait as you have disinfected. It is painful, so she is bound to be grumpy, but hopefully not for too long. Depending how bad the rip is, the nail may grow back deformed or even may not grow back at all. However, it is not going to impede the mobility.
 
Wiebke said:
Yes, it is OK to wait as you have disinfected. It is painful, so is bound to be grumpy, but hopefully not for too long. Depending how bad the rip is, the nail may grow back deformed or even may not grow back at all. However, it is not going to impede the mobility.
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Thank you. I finish work at 12 so I can take her the minute they open at 1:30.
 
Poor thing! Two of my pigs have ripped off a nail right where it meets the foot... both made full recoveries (and the nails did grow back, though in one case it grew back twisty and was hard to cut.) I'm sure the wait for the vet will be fine once you've disinfected (and realistically there may not be much they can do other than prescribe a pain killer and make sure that the foot itself is not injured.)
 
Freela said:
Poor thing! Two of my pigs have ripped off a nail right where it meets the foot... both made full recoveries (and the nails did grow back, though in one case it grew back twisty and was hard to cut.) I'm sure the wait for the vet will be fine once you've disinfected (and realistically there may not be much they can do other than prescribe a pain killer and make sure that the foot itself is not injured.)
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Yeah the main reason I want her seen is for pain relief. Poor Mabel :(


Flutterby said:
Poor lady! Sending healing vibes Amie!
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Thanks Ruth! X
 
Back from the vets. She can see the nail has torn right near where it meets her skin. She's been given anti inflammatory and anti biotics as it's red and swollen. She's got to go back next week. The vet said the nail should drop out but if not she might need to have a sedation to remove it as the infection could keep coming back if we leave it?
 
:D Ouch! Yes, the nail will have to be removed to allow the hole to seal up and heal properly, and also to ensure that it cannot get caught on anything and get torn out. Hope it goes okay. Any idea what happened?:hmm:
 
7squeakers. said:
:D Ouch! Yes, the nail will have to be removed to allow the hole to seal up and heal properly, and also to ensure that it cannot get caught on anything and get torn out. Hope it goes okay. Any idea what happened?:hmm:
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Thank you. No idea! It happened yesterday morning at some point but not sure when. She's walking on it fine and even when the vet squeezed a little she never flinched. Mabel is the most excitable and active so I'm presuming she's just got it caught on something. Checked all over the cage but can't find anything that could have caused it.

Very strange!
 
ayemee said:
Thank you. No idea! It happened yesterday morning at some point but not sure when. She's walking on it fine and even when the vet squeezed a little she never flinched. Mabel is the most excitable and active so I'm presuming she's just got it caught on something. Checked all over the cage but can't find anything that could have caused it.

Very strange!
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I am sorry that she's done such a thorough job, but hopefully things should come right in the end. A nail can easily just catch somehwere when they are popcorning or running. It is pretty common.
 
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