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Sore foot and eating slowly

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mysteriousdave

Junior Guinea Pig
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Morning everyone - hopefully someone might have some advice!

Sherlock's got a sore and swollen looking footpad on both front feet. He's had some foot spurs which I've cut right back, but the back of the pad on the pictured foot is very swollen.

Along with this, this morning he's not his normal self and has given up on his breakfast. He normally take his time on his veggies but today he was so slow, and was making a few sneezing/choking noises. I'm assuming the 2 are unrelated, but both things seem to have come on quite quickly!

Have also given his feet a wash in some savlon solution and popped some aloe vera lotion on then. I'm not sure whether its bumblefoot or swelling caused by the spurs?

Pics at the below links... couldn't get them to embed!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100096791@N05/9534544491/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100096791@N05/9537335698/

Any help as always appreciated! :^-
 
I'd keep an eye out for scab formation on his pads, I don't see any sign of bumblefoot, but that's not to say he hasn't got the start of it.
 
What bedding do you use, some can irritate their feet and respiratory tract :(
I would take Sherlock to a savvy Vet for a check up as any piggy who shows little interest in food etc. may have something manifesting.
Piggies are notorious for hiding illness and can decline rapidly so maybe a course of antibiotics will help his chest and foot.
It is not advisable to use homeopathic remedies unless you are very experienced (that's not meant to be taken the wrong way) but sometimes people have had less than desirable outcomes from using lotions/potions on piggies so would advise a call to your Vet asap.
Please keep us posted :)
 
Hi all. Thanks for the advice so far.

Sherlock is on Back 2 Nature bedding, along with lots of hay. His brother (Watson!) is also on this although seems ok!
 
I would have him checked out by a cavy savy vet, I have read in some cases that coughing and choking noises whilst eating can indicate dental problems. I think it was a thread on here that may have caught my attention, I will see if I can find it.
 
Took Sherlock to the vets and they couldn't find anything wrong with him from a dental perspective, and his lungs sounded healthy. He's perked up a lot now too, although his feet are still sore looking and a bit swollen. The vet didn't think it was bumblefoot and gave him an anti-inflammatory injection. Have to see how he does! Very strange...
 
Frustratingly back to the vets today. Sherlock's not been eating his dried or harder vegetables, and has lost .3kg since Monday. Have been given some metacam for his foot, and have a probiotic with vitamin c in to see if that perks him up.

Booked in for Tuesday to be examined under anaesthetic. There's the possibility it might be sharp teeth, but they look ok to the vet. Still doesn't explain the foot either.

Very frustrating when there's no clear diagnosis. mallethead
 
Having just had a think, I've realised the noise he's making is hooting. Have had a look at Guinea Lynx website and am a bit worried now!

Am going to give him a good clear out in a minute in the hope it might be a bit of an allergy. The 'dust free' hay is fairly dusty this month, although Watson seems fine.

Will mention the Guinea Lynx info to the vet on Tuesday and see what she thinks. He does have a number of symptoms of a heart issue - hooting, eating less, a bit more lethargic, weight loss, easy to pick up...
 
So Sherlock went in to the vets yesterday and she gave his teeth a trim as they were looking quite sharp.

He managed a few veg yesterday, but certainly doesn't seem interested in his nuggets or hay. Today's veg has been a bit of a struggle too. Obviously he's going to be feeling a bit sorry for himself but I'm worried he won't be getting enough food etc in. Is it worth me calling the vets and asking for some recovery food and more metacam? mallethead
 
It's worth going back to the vet and try asking about heart issues so they know you are looking at other avenues. Recovery food and syringe feeding is a good option as he is losing weight and no matter what the problem, he needs enough nutrition to help him fight it.

Where are you based? That will help people give you better advice about what help is available to you locally.
 
Heya. Am based in Farnborough. I took some info from Guinea Lynx with me to the vet re Heart Problems and she still didn't think it was likely, and it was just a teeth issue.

Sherlock's still making low level hooting type noises. Food wise today I've managed to give him some mushed pellets via syringe and he's nibbled some of this veg. He's been out for a few drinks too, so at least he's not given up.

I've left a message with a local piggy savvy vet who will ring me tomorrow - searching on the forum bought up her name so will hopefully get her advice and maybe take him along.
 
My Esme has recently been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and her symptoms were very similar to what you describe. She stopped eating and had to be syringe fed, lost some weight, was more lethargic and was breathing fairly heavily.
She was initially diagnosed by having an enlarged heart and fluid on the lungs, which wasn't really detected by stephoscope.

I just thought i would give you some info about my experience and to let you know if it is heart related that there are treatment options. Esme is on a diuretic longterm to prevent fluid buildup.

Fingers crossed that you get it sorted. Kayleigh x
 
Please ask your vet for recovery foods and metacam; a piggy is always feeling sore after any dental work. if you wish, you can try mushed up pellets in the meantime.
 
The vet called and I've picked up more metacam, 2 pouches of recovery and some baytril. Good job I had this week off!

Also booked an appointment with a more cavy savvy vet for tomorrow morning to get a second opinion.
 
In good news Sherlock seems to have made a vast improvement so far. Got some recovery in him and it perked him right up. He's eating his veg and even his excel nuggets too. Still a bit slow, but getting there. I'm keeping a close eye!

The hooting and noises seemed to have calmed down too since taking the baytril, so perhaps it was an infection of some type.

If he's eating relatively normally now would people still recommend recovery? I have another sachet but don't want to overfeed him!
 
Great that Sherlock is picking up! it can well be that he has had an infection somewhere; secondary problems can develop when the immune system is lowered.

I would weigh him daily at about the same time in the feeding cycle to see whether he is losing weight or picking up weight. That should give you an answer as to whether you need to top him up or not.

Please weigh any piggy once weekly and any piggy that is ill or that you suspect daily. Weight loss is often the first indication that something is not right and needs to be investigated. Please be aware that 30g can make the difference between a full bladder and tummy and an empty one. http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html
 
Hello all,

As way of update, Sherlock took a turn for the worse this week once his Baytril and Metacam had finished, and was struggling to eat again.

I took him to a recomened Cavy vet locally, who has finally managed to diagnose the issue. He has an issue where the roots of his back teeth are growing down under his mandible/jaw leading to an abscess and infection. Obviously this is making it very sore for him to eat.

Currently got 2 types of antibiotics, metacam and recovery to feed him. Hoping a longer course of antibiotics might get on top of the problem. If not the vet said we could operate, but its not an operation she'd put her pigs through and chances of success aren't great. Obviously if I don't go down that route it leaves PTS as the best option for Sherlock.

Currently trying to get the recovery food into him - he likes the sachet stuff, but have critical care this time and he isn't as keen.

Thought some might find it interesting now I finally got to the bottom of it!
 
So Sherlock has been getting no better despite 2 antibiotics and metacam. We're having to feed him recovery round the clock to keep him a reasonable weight.

I spoke to the vet this morning, and she feels that draining the abscess is unlikely to have any major effect. Due to the position, and the likely infection in jaw bone she says its likely to just keep coming back. She feels she probably can't remove the abscess completely due to the location, and if it was her pig she would be considering PTS due to quality of life. He's displaying very severe dental disease for a young pig (2 years in November).

The vet seems to know her stuff, and came recommended locally on the forum. Does anyone else have any advice?

At the end of the day seeing him like this is very distressing, as is the round the clock care. Its just a horrible thing at his age. I know we could operate at see what happens, but I'm just struggling whether its the right thing to do...
 
Oh poor Sherlock. I know it is the hardest thing to do but given his quality of life and the vets suggestion maybe it would be kinder to let him go. I am so sorry to say that as it is just the hardest decision ever to make. My thoughts are with you.
 
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