Worried About Paddy's Toes

[Drezella]

I was a little worried though when I held Paddy, as I noticed that his end toe on each back foot is really wobbly and looks like he can't use it. I touched each toe to check them and he didn't flinch, there's no blood, wounds or any visible damage to them, yet they looked like they were really loose. He is running about ok though, and is fine with the ramp in the cage, so they don't seem to be hindering him. Is this normal? Do you think he might have caught it on something? I've never really looked at his feet before, and I'm a bit worried. I don't know what 'normal' guinea pig feet look like as he is one of my first guinea pigs along with Rohan.

 

[Wiebke]

Paddy has got an extra toe in his back feet; normal are three. It is called polydactyly. If they are not bothering him, you can leave them as they are or see a vet about safe removal.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-body-quirks.58854/
http://www.guinealynx.info/feet.html#poly

 

[Drezella]

Right, thank you. I'll keep my eye on him and if they become too loose or start to bother him I'll take him to the vet.