Spurs or bumble foot?

[Michellek310]

Spurs or bumble foot?

hi, my name is Michelle, I was given two guinea pigs as my class pets but I don’t really know much and I want to make sure I am taking good care of them. However I work at a private school with not a lot of extra money and I don’t want to annoy my boss, racking up vet fees if this is not actually a problem.

Can anyone please help me out and advise me from the pictures if this needs medical attention?

I learned about bumble foot from the internet and got worried and scheduled an appointment but then I read about Spurs and now I’m scared actually it’s no big deal and my boss will be upset with me if I take her (Caramel, the pig) in and nothing is actually wrong. I posted a photo of Caramel’s front foot and a photo of Apple’s (in case that one is not normal either. Thank you for any advise! Also if it is just a spur, is that easy to take care of or would I want a vet’s help anyway? If it’s bumble food, can I get the ointment from a store or do I need to see a vet? (boss asked that question- I said I don’t even know for sure what is wrong.)

 

[Wiebke]

Spurs or bumble foot?

hi, my name is Michelle, I was given two guinea pigs as my class pets but I don’t really know much and I want to make sure I am taking good care of them. However I work at a private school with not a lot of extra money and I don’t want to annoy my boss, racking up vet fees if this is not actually a problem.

Can anyone please help me out and advise me from the pictures if this needs medical attention?

I learned about bumble foot from the internet and got worried and scheduled an appointment but then I read about Spurs and now I’m scared actually it’s no big deal and my boss will be upset with me if I take her (Caramel, the pig) in and nothing is actually wrong. I posted a photo of Caramel’s front foot and a photo of Apple’s (in case that one is not normal either. Thank you for any advise! Also if it is just a spur, is that easy to take care of or would I want a vet’s help anyway? If it’s bumble food, can I get the ointment from a store or do I need to see a vet? (boss asked that question- I said I don’t even know for sure what is wrong.)

Hi!

These are the beginnings of spurs, which are harmless dead skin growths on the sides of the front paw pads that are best left be unless they are really sticking out and are risk of catching and ripping live skin. The vast majority can be left.

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is an infection that happens typically in the middle of the pads where the pressure is highest and the risk of bugs getting into small cracks in the skin in highest.
In well kept guinea pigs on clean bedding, it generally affects mainly the elderly with mobility issues and a less than perfect blood circulation that tend to sit in their excrement more and are not always able to take the weight off their front paws when the back legs are weaker and arthritis means stiff legs or a spine. Early bumblefoot before the sores manifests as a very localised red and hotter spot that has no equivalent on the other foot.
Keep in mind that a piggy that is feeling hot will dump heat via increased blood flow through the ears and extremities so don't panic whenever you see red feet!

PS: Are you in the USA or Greece? We are a UK based forum with members and enquiries from all over the world. It would help us massively if you please added your country and state/province to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar). This allows us to tailor any answers to what is relevant and available for you, from climate, rescue and vet access, differing medical brands etc. straight away with just a quick glance to the left whenever necessary. It saves you and us time.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

 

[VickiA]

What you’ve got there is the early stages of foot spurs.

 

[Michellek310]

Thank you for the responses - so I don’t need to do anything about this unless it gets worse and impacts ability to walk comfortably

 

[Michellek310]

Hi!

These are the beginnings of spurs, which are harmless dead skin growths on the sides of the front paw pads that are best left be unless they are really sticking out and are risk of catching and ripping live skin. The vast majority can be left.

Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is an infection that happens typically in the middle of the pads where the pressure is highest and the risk of bugs getting into small cracks in the skin in highest.
In well kept guinea pigs on clean bedding, it generally affects mainly the elderly with mobility issues and a less than perfect blood circulation that tend to sit in their excrement more and are not always able to take the weight off their front paws when the back legs are weaker and arthritis means stiff legs or a spine. Early bumblefoot before the sores manifests as a very localised red and hotter spot that has no equivalent on the other foot.
Keep in mind that a piggy that is feeling hot will dump heat via increased blood flow through the ears and extremities so don't panic whenever you see red feet!

PS: Are you in the USA or Greece? We are a UK based forum with members and enquiries from all over the world. It would help us massively if you please added your country and state/province to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar). This allows us to tailor any answers to what is relevant and available for you, from climate, rescue and vet access, differing medical brands etc. straight away with just a quick glance to the left whenever necessary. It saves you and us time.

Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems

Thank you for the thorough answer! I’m in US, NY I’ll edit my info

 

[Freela]

Those are spurs... they are generally harmless and you can just leave them alone. Bumblefoot is different and much nastier... inflamed, red, swollen foot pads that can become an open sore. Some pigs get spurs and others never do, even if they live in the same cage!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the responses - so I don’t need to do anything about this unless it gets worse and impacts ability to walk comfortably

Exactly - and most likely, the spurs won't cause a problem ever. About a quarter of piggies have them. Unless they grow out in a solid sideways horn that can catch and rip when they are running, spurs are best left alone.

Spurs don't impede mobility but it can be very crippling and extremely painful if you cut into live skin. We usually recommend to see a vet or a piggy savvy vet nurse if that job is becoming necessary, for exactly that reason.