Feet Just picked up rescued pigs. Growth on foot. - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**rogersmithiii** · #1 10-17-09, 08:25 pm

I just picked up two GPs that were adopted out by a private family. The pigs looked well cared for, and seem to be in good shape. They're active, eating very well (gave them some leaf lettuce, a strawberry and some fresh hay). Their fur looks healthy, and I don't see any skin issues or fur loss.

I noticed though that one of the pigs has a growth in between two of his toes. It looks like a small tumor. The owner thought it was bedding, but it looks more like flesh.

Any idea what this is? Do I need to worry about it?

We're keeping these two in a separate cage and room from the resident pig, just in case there's illness or parasites.

Rog

**wigglesgiggles1** · #2 10-17-09, 08:27 pm

It could be a foot spur. Check this out. http://www.guinealynx.info/feet.html

**Dobelady** · #3 10-17-09, 08:29 pm

When in doubt with any health issue, bring the animal to the vet. Often times you can catch things early, treat and all is well. If you wait, you can end up with serious expensive problems.

**rogersmithiii** · #4 10-17-09, 08:30 pm

Don't think it's a spur. The flesh from which it's made is not dry and flaky. It's real skin.

Also, is there anything else I should watch for during the quarantine period? I see a bit of scratching, but nothing serious. Fur looks healthy on both.

Rog

**Dobelady** · #5 10-17-09, 08:35 pm

Rog,

I have one in quarantine right now and have dosed him with Ivomec to be on the safe side. I want to make sure he's mite free before I do the slow introduction with my other pig. http://www.guinealynx.info/oral_ivermectin.htm

**rogersmithiii** · #6 10-21-09, 05:32 am

Closer examination shows that the tumor is really a coiled up toenail that never got trimmed. I can;t see the quick since the nail is black, and I don't want to hurt the guy by trimming something that I'm not supposed to.

**Seonta** · #7 10-21-09, 06:00 am

Trimming the nail and drawing blood I would think as less dangerous than the toenail being inside of his foot. Can you get him to the vet? The vet may be able to do it. If you want to try and find the place that is safe to cut you can try to shine a flashlight through the nail.

**bpatters** · #8 10-21-09, 07:39 am

A friend had that problem with a rescued dog. We used a wooden cuticle stick to work the end of the nail out of the foot, and then human toe nail nippers to cut the pointed end off enough so that we could get a regular pet nail clipper around it. The dog did not like it, because its foot was sore where the nail went in, but we managed to do it without cutting into the quick.

**Peggysu** · #9 10-21-09, 08:42 am

You'll want to get the nail out as it can cause bumble foot or pododermatitis if left untreated.

http://www.guinealynx.info/pododermatitis.html

**Heady** · #10 10-21-09, 08:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seonta

Trimming the nail and drawing blood I would think as less dangerous than the toenail being inside of his foot. Can you get him to the vet? The vet may be able to do it. If you want to try and find the place that is safe to cut you can try to shine a flashlight through the nail.

Flashlight! Brilliant! I never thought to do that!! Neither of my pigs have black nails, but two of my cats do and the one can't stand to have her feet touched and trimming is always an issue...I'll have to try the flashlight! I understand that advice wasn't specifically for me, but thank you just the same! :)

**delilaharcade** · #11 10-21-09, 10:51 am

I recently obtained a pig from someone on Craigslist who had long, overgrown nails. His nails weren't nearly as bad as what you're describing though.

Wishing you luck! Keep us updated on how it turns out.

**rogersmithiii** · #12 10-21-09, 12:14 pm

It doesn't seem to be into the foot. It's all at the end of the nail, so that's one good thing.

Vet sounds like a good idea.

R