Sore foot?

[Bucks]

Hello. I noticed there’s a red patch on Dash’s back paw. Is there anything I need to do? Can I do this at home or do I need to get him seen? Scamper’s paws are fine.
He’s on fleece bedding which I’m changing every 3-4 days. It never seems wet to the touch on the fleece side and none is soaking through to the correx. I’m also spot cleaning the cage 2-3 times a day.

 

[lucypigs]

Do you sprinkle some hay or do the pigs have access to hay to stand on? Those sores happened to my pigs and it was because the hay was irritating their skin

 

[lucypigs]

Do your guinea pigs have access to stand on hay? Hay could irritate there paws

 

[Bucks]

Do your guinea pigs have access to stand on hay? Hay could irritate there paws

yes I leave hay on the floor for them. Most of the fleece is just bare though

 

[lucypigs]

yes I leave hay on the floor for them. Most of the fleece is just bare though

Ok. Mabye try to minimize the amount of hay on the floor so they don't get scratched or irritated

 

[Bucks]

Ok. Mabye try to minimize the amount of hay on the floor so they don't get scratched or irritated

Ok thanks. Do I need to do anything to help him? Id taken the hay rack out as had read they can get strangled in them and on the floor was better

 

[Rivervixen]

@Bucks i would wait for a second opinion on this thread, ideally you want to take advice from people we know have a lot of experience with piggies (not to come off as rude) just want to make sure you get the correct advice

 

[lucypigs]

Ok thanks. Do I need to do anything to help him? Id taken the hay rack out as had read they can get strangled in them and on the floor was better

I make my racks out of cardboard boxes so that if they do get stuck, they can chew out. I don't think you need to take to the vet, but keep an eye on it. If it's not better in a week, mabye look into a vet

 

[Piggies&buns]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with piggies walking on hay at all as long as it isn’t wet.

There are no open sores which would be the concern for it being bumblefoot. Some piggies do just have pinker feet. If, however, the redness is a new thing then it would be best to go to the vet to just have it looked at in case it is the start of something

 

[Siikibam]

It’s fine to leave hay on the floor, that shouldn’t cause irritation. Is there something absorbent underneath the fleece? Perhaps keep an eye on it over the weekend but I would take him to the vet next week. You could also email them a (clear) photo and describe it then see what they say.

We don’t advocate home treatment on here and there’s nothing you can do in any case.

 

[Bucks]

It’s fine to leave hay on the floor, that shouldn’t cause irritation. Is there something absorbent underneath the fleece? Perhaps keep an eye on it over the weekend but I would take him to the vet next week. You could also email them a (clear) photo and describe it then see what they say.

We don’t advocate home treatment on here and there’s nothing you can do in any case.

It’s a fleece with an absorbent layer so hadn’t put anything else under. Can start adding paper. So you think I should take to the vet to get checked out rather than monitoring? Happy to do so if that’s what’s needed. Not sure if it’s different from normal as we’ve only had them a little while and it’s been difficult to get a good look whilst they’ve been settling.

 

[Bucks]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with piggies walking on hay at all as long as it isn’t wet.

There are no open sores which would be the concern for it being bumblefoot. Some piggies do just have pinker feet. If, however, the redness is a new thing then it would be best to go to the vet to just have it looked at in case it is the start of something

Thank you and that’s a relief re bumblefoot. Will keep a close eye. It’s the fact it’s not a uniform colour across the foot that worried me as part appears redder. Will check tomorrow evening then give the vet a call on Monday to see what they say.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s a fleece with an absorbent layer so hadn’t put anything else under. Can start adding paper. So you think I should take to the vet to get checked out rather than monitoring? Happy to do so if that’s what’s needed. Not sure if it’s different from normal as we’ve only had them a little while and it’s been difficult to get a good look whilst they’ve been settling.

As long as the fleece has an absorbent layer then you don’t need to add anything else, just check the fleece is always dry and therefore wicking properly.

As I say some piggies just have pinker feet and it’s not necessarily a problem (I’m not seeing any open sores which would be an immediate concern), but it’s always a good idea to get new piggies a vet check anyway.

 

[Bucks]

As long as the fleece has an absorbent layer then you don’t need to add anything else, just check the fleece is always dry and therefore wicking properly.

As I say some piggies just have pinker feet and it’s not necessarily a problem (I’m not seeing any open sores which would be an immediate concern), but it’s always a good idea to get new piggies a vet check anyway.

Thanks again. The rescue we got them from offers follow up care too as I think the lady that runs it is a qualified vet nurse. Will get in touch with the vets next week as there’s one locally that treats exotic pets. We used to take my family dogs there many years ago and I trust them.

 

[Bucks]

Thanks again. The rescue we got them from offers follow up care too as I think the lady that runs it is a qualified vet nurse. Will get in touch with the vets next week as there’s one locally that treats exotic pets. We used to take my family dogs there many years ago and I trust them.

As long as the fleece has an absorbent layer then you don’t need to add anything else, just check the fleece is always dry and therefore wicking properly.

As I say some piggies just have pinker feet and it’s not necessarily a problem (I’m not seeing any open sores which would be an immediate concern), but it’s always a good idea to get new piggies a vet check anyway.

Sorry one more question - when going to the vet do you take the one that needs attention or both for company?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Sorry one more question - when going to the vet do you take the one that needs attention or both for company?

Take them both. My two don’t go anywhere without each other

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hello. I noticed there’s a red patch on Dash’s back paw. Is there anything I need to do? Can I do this at home or do I need to get him seen? Scamper’s paws are fine.
He’s on fleece bedding which I’m changing every 3-4 days. It never seems wet to the touch on the fleece side and none is soaking through to the correx. I’m also spot cleaning the cage 2-3 times a day.

I think those feet look pretty much ok actually except a nail trim needed! Piggies get red feet when they are warm, though this could also be the start of some irritation caused by sitting in pee. Worth a vet check or nurse check to make sure if you are worried, and maybe buy some small fleecy pee pads that you can change daily to put in the hidey houses where piggy sleeps? If there is no broken skin it isnt bumblefoot and is usually fine, maybe the vet might suggest some weekly cleaning and moisturising just to make sure- thats what we do for our piggy Jezzy floof who has crusty red feet that she pees on a lot, things she developed before we got her! And walking on hay doesnt cause foot irritation usually.
Hope that helps, you can check if the person responding to your posts is one of the forum health advisor peoples by the symbol by our names...