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Sore Feet on Post-Spay Piggie

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louise_stocker

louise_stocker

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi
I didn't know whether to start a new thread here as my post-spay pig, Peggy now has problems with her feet.

Her original thread is here: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=76359

To cut a long story short Peggy had a spay about 3 weeks ago and then a post-operative infection. One of the things that alerted me to the infection was that her feet seemed hot and a little swollen.

On Thursday night, a large thick scab fell off Peggy's back foot revealing a sore, pink foot. A smaller scab also came off the other back foot. The worst foot now is darker red, like it's forming a new scab but smaller. She doesn't seem bothered by it and is still walking around and doesn't seem in pain.

I'm attaching a photo here. The pale pink spot at the top and bottom of the black foot are always there, the spot in the middle is new:

141011050.jpg


I've had three thoughts on this:
1. bumblefoot - I really hope it isn't this as she's had a lot to contend with already over the past few weeks. It does seem it's more likely to be something to do with her other spay problems and would both back feet be affected at once?
2. swelling - could it be a result of possibly poor circulation during operation and then swelling as a result of the spay-infection could have caused the scabs to form?
3. urine - due to her medications, possibly not drinking normally for a couple of weeks and being less active, could her urine somehow have 'burnt' her back feet?

Would really appreciate it if anyone could let me know if they've seen anything similar post-operatively or whether it looks like bumblefoot?

So far I've bathed in a saline solution and applied savlon and/or perfect paws ointment from gorgeousguineas.com

Many, many thanks, Louise xx
 
It doesn't look like bumblefoot at the moment - the bumblefoot i have seen results in much nasier huge type feet.

I think it does look like urine burns personally, but only a vet could tell you for sure.

the bathing of her feet, keeping them clean and dry should help her - edited as i read you already have an ointment from gorgeous guineas.
 
Lisajazz said:
It doesn't look like bumblefoot at the moment - the bumblefoot i have seen results in much nasier huge type feet.

I think it does look like urine burns personally, but only a vet could tell you for sure.

the bathing of her feet, keeping them clean and dry should help her - edited as i read you already have an ointment from gorgeous guineas.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much - the only reason I'm haven't taken her to a vet yet is because she's been through so much recently, poor thing and she's only just come off all her medications. Obviously if she needs more then she'll get them but I'm just keen to try and keep her stable and relaxed if at all possible as her digestion/eating is only really just settling itself down.

Thanks for your help x
 
I already posted on Peggy's original thread before seeing this new one. Anyway I was also thinking urine scald but am no expert. If it was one of my piggy's I'd keep bathing in saline solution and applying a GG ointment or Sudocrem/Bepanthen but if it didn't start improving within a few days I'd definitely consult a Vet.
 
Hi Missy

I just replied to your message on the other thread then dashed out to buy some sudocream :)

Do you think I need to wrap her feet up or are they okay left to the air? I know air is better for healing but just concerned that the cream may not stay on for very long with her running around, bless her x
 
Hi Louise,

It just occurred to me that Peggy's sores are partially open. Many people use Sudocrem on their piggies (so hopefully you haven't wasted your money - sorry!) and I don't *think* it'd be unsafe but, now that I think about it more, I can't say for sure if it's the best thing for broken piggy skin and you do have to be careful about this.

I've definitely seen Pebble mention that she's used the Savlon Dry Antiseptic Skin Healing Spray (contains povidone iodine) on piggy wounds. I'd check with her first though, if you do want to use a 'human' product on Peggy, especially as she could potentially lick her feet and ingest any topical treatment. I'd hate to mention the wrong thing, especially as Peggy has been under par for so long now - I just want her to get better as quickly as possible!

Simply washing with the saline solution may be enough on its own though and you could always keep using the GG ointment. I'd leave her feet unwrapped and apply any ointment during laptime, so it has a chance to be absorbed while she's resting.
 
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Thanks Missy. Please don't worry, wasting money is the last thing on my mind (not that I'm loaded or anything, but you know what I mean!) Sure sudocream is a good thing to have in the cupboard anyway. If I don't hear from Pebble on the forum tonight I might give her a call tomorrow.

The feet aren't actually open wounds though. The worst one on the pink foot has scabbed over again. The dark red bit is a partial scab again now but a lot smaller than the scab that fell off (that was the same size has her whole foot!) I hope that means things are improving. Presumably if it was bumblefoot it would be getting worse as I know I'm not giving her the proper treatment for bumblefoot.

Just going to your reply to the other thread (it is getting confusing, I can see why its important to keep to one thread but the old thread had a mis-leading title!) Perhaps we should stick to this one for foot-related things from now on :) Sorry, my fault x
 
People will still pop in and view - as she's been spayed and then this might be an idea to use your original thread as someone else could have a spayed pig and then it develops urine scalds though not moving :). Your pig could answer someone else's problem ;).
 
flintstones said:
People will still pop in and view - as she's been spayed and then this might be an idea to use your original thread as someone else could have a spayed pig and then it develops urine scalds though not moving :). Your pig could answer someone else's problem ;).
Click to expand...

I'm sorry. I've provided links to the original thread in this thread and a thread to this one in the original. Its just when things move on from one problem to a seemingly different problem that the original title seems inappropriate and you want to get the best advice based on the problem. I thought that people that are knowledgeable in particular areas may go off the title and perhaps not read the old one because of the title. I hope I've done the right thing x
 
Hi
Just for the purposes of other people finding this thread in the future, it would seem that sudocream is the best thing to use. I'm applying a few times a day in a thin layer so hopefully we'll see some improvement soon.

It only occurred to me today that when I picked up Peggy from the hospital (the second time round - she'd been in about 48 hours), the nurses told me she had barely been moving. I think this was actually more of a symptom of depression/fear as at that point they wouldn't allow me to take a friend in to be with her.

The also handed her back to me saying they'd just expressed her bladder. They didn't really explain why they'd done this and I stupidly didn't ask but when I got her home and picked her up she was soaked through down below. Whether she'd been like that some time or whether it was just because she'd had her bladder expressed, I don't know but I wish they'd thought to tidy her up a bit.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that it seems likely this would have provided the perfect opportunity to get some very sore feet from strong urine as she wasn't eating/drinking on her own at this point and would also have had a lot of medication in her urine.

Fingers crossed, we'll make progress from here and her gorgeous little feet are back to perfect soon!

Louise x
 
The gorgeous guineas foot ointment stuff. They aren't assure as pegged though, how is she?
 
Amanda1801 said:
The gorgeous guineas foot ointment stuff. They aren't assure as pegged though, how is she?
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Thanks - they're about the same. No worse which is good - its hard when they've developed a scab though because you don't know what's going on underneath it! Hopefully it will fall off in a week or so and reveal perfect piggy feet x
 
louise_stocker said:
Thanks - they're about the same. No worse which is good - its hard when they've developed a scab though because you don't know what's going on underneath it! Hopefully it will fall off in a week or so and reveal perfect piggy feet x
Click to expand...

Obviously I didn't mean to call her pegged, it was an iPhone autocorrect! :))

Collecting cameo today, she's being a little madam! I'll update her thread later, I'm at Uni now so probably won't have time...but I think she's faking it ;)
 
Amanda1801 said:
Obviously I didn't mean to call her pegged, it was an iPhone autocorrect! :))

Collecting cameo today, she's being a little madam! I'll update her thread later, I'm at Uni now so probably won't have time...but I think she's faking it ;)
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Its okay - I got the general gist :))

Yeah I'm starting to think Peggy might be putting it on too. She'll do something really naughty (i.e. digging up all the towels/fleece, throwing it all to one side, while burying the baby-pig in the middle of it all, then weeing all over the plastic liner) then when I tell her off, she lies down with big watery eyes, like "don't shout at me mummy, I'm poorly remember!"

Also when its feeding time, I've been trying to train them to come down their ramp (as they're usually asleep in the upper floor) and take the food in the litter tray. The other two rush down while Peggy sits upstairs looking pathetic so usually I'll just give it to her up there but if I wait long enough she huffs and puffs and comes down like "well, I suppose if you're not bringing it up I'll have to come down!"

One word...diva!
 
Oh Louise i just saw this update on Peggy :{
Poor little baby :( sending her loads of healing wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeky loves from us all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



diva? really? nooooooooo surely not rolleyes:x
 
Glynis said:
Oh Louise i just saw this update on Peggy :{
Poor little baby :( sending her loads of healing wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeky loves from us all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



diva? really? nooooooooo surely not rolleyes:x
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Thanks Glynis - I'm sure all the healing vibes will help Peggy. She's doing quite well at the moment. She just keeps springing these nasty surprises on us x
 
My other half and I have been coming up with an imaginary 'rider' for Peggy. (Those lists that diva celebs have for their dressing rooms :)) )

It would go something like this:
1. cherry tomatoes (cut in half with seeds taken out)
2. the tiny tops plucked off the top of broccoli by hand
3. lettuce - only the greenest leaves (not white crunchy bits)
4. flat green pieces of hay preferably fed by hand, one at a time
5. a cosy bed (no other pigs allowed within a 2-foot radius of the bed)
6. fluffy towels, preferably Egyptian cotton

etc, etc :))

She's actually getting a lot less fussy now but what 'diva Peggy' wants, 'diva Peggy' gets!
 
Peggy just wanted to show you her feet again! They are definitely improving - the scab is smaller and they look less angry. She asked if you'd mind if she showed you them again once they're all better :))

Just realised they may have looked less red in the first photo but the first one had a flash one so I think it was a bit 'washed' out - you might have to take my word for it that they are looking better!

 
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louise_stocker said:
She asked if you'd mind if she showed you them again once they're all better :))
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Well human feet I'm not so keen on but piggy feet I love, so I'd definitely not mind another look when they're all healed and better! Glad to hear that they're improving x
 
How are her feet doing now?

What are you using on them? Cameo's are still red and now her front paws are looking sore too :(
 
Amanda1801 said:
How are her feet doing now?

What are you using on them? Cameo's are still red and now her front paws are looking sore too :(
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They're much better. Scabs have come off and they're just a bit pink underneath. I'm using a combination of sudocream and FM Ointment from Gorgeous Guineas. Can't decide which I want to use so I tend to alternate them and rub it on about 3-4 times a day.

When they were at their worst I'd wipe them with saline solution before applying cream.

Poor Cameo - hope they sort themselves out soon.
 
louise_stocker said:
They're much better. Scabs have come off and they're just a bit pink underneath. I'm using a combination of sudocream and FM Ointment from Gorgeous Guineas. Can't decide which I want to use so I tend to alternate them and rub it on about 3-4 times a day.

When they were at their worst I'd wipe them with saline solution before applying cream.

Poor Cameo - hope they sort themselves out soon.
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She has a scab on the front foot, the rest have come off. I think Cameo's look sore because her feet are all pink apart from one!

She's currently chasing Jeff around so they can't be that sore!
 
Amanda1801 said:
She has a scab on the front foot, the rest have come off. I think Cameo's look sore because her feet are all pink apart from one!

She's currently chasing Jeff around so they can't be that sore!
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Probably not - even when Peggy's looked horrible she was chasing baby Mabel around! Poor Jeff - he's putting up with a lot :))
 
I'm just using the GG's perfect paws ointment at the moment...

Took Cameo into work yesterday as she was due a check up, and my colleague, whos been my best mate for the last 13 years, and my flatmate since 2008 up until this july, looked at the ingredients and decided "it contains witchcraft" :))

Certainly seems to be doing the job, I'm being careful not to over-moisturise her little feetsies, as I don't really want them super soft and prone to injury. She's certainly improving though :)
 
I'm not sure they really need anything, to be honest. I'm just putting stuff on so I feel like I'm doing something constructive but I'm not convinced anything stays on for more than 2 minutes as she just runs around the cage as soon as I put her down :))
 
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