spurs

[amylouise]

my guinea pigs have all had or got these at some point in the last few years.. when i found them initally i was freaked but after looking around found they were "quite harmless".. i was just looking at them again on bon bon and hers are quite massive..shes not in any pain and it doesnt stop her walking.. but i did read somehwere that you can trim them down... has anyone done this? is it advisable..or should i let them be?:{

 

[mojules]

Hi there

Our two are prone to spurs, Jules more so than Mo. We trim them very carefully with nail clippers just cutting a little bit at a time. As long as you don't cut them too close so they bleed then trimming them is fine.

I didn't know what they were to start with thought they had stood on poop then thought it was bumblefoot but when i read up on feet problems discovered they were spurs and got OH to trim them as I don't want to be the bad one lol

 

[CandyDiamond]

One of my boars, Chocolate, used to get them and I used to trim them down when doing his nails. If you're careful and only trim them slightly and gradually they should be okay. I don't know how much difference it really makes, Choco never seemed to find his a problem either, but if you're worried about them it's probably worth giving them a trim. I used to use my scissor-style guinea nail clippers, but human nail scissors would probably work too. Hope that helps

 

[Wiebke]

A few of mine have spurs - they are pretty common. If they are big, you can clip them back, but not too close to life skin.

here is more info on spurs: http://www.guinealynx.info/feet.html#spurs

 

[clairelove]

ive found the older they get the more chance they have of getting them i just cut them off when I'm doing the nails...

 

[amylouise]

thanks guys, i may try giving them a little clip in a bit! they look so wierd! like a extra manky toe!@)

 

[hetherj]

One of my boys has them and I also trim them with nail clippers when I'm trimming his nails. I've heard they can get caught on things if they aren't trimmed. Don't know if anyone else has experienced this

 

[Howard&Vince]

Again yet more excellent advice! My White piggie Howard has one on his front right paw! Thanks for the advice xx