New Guinea Pigs, SERIOUS questions...

[Senamian]

1. I noticed the brown and white one (now named Creature by my roomie), was the friendliest. I was able to hold her, and she was very calm Unfortunately I found a "bad spot"... Near her spine, moving towards her belly it's very tender. She turned her head, and I knew I was causing her discomfort - especially when she tried to nip. It's ONLY that spot!

2. Not sure if 1. could be related with this, but going to ask anyways. BOTH are terribly underweight. By that, I mean I KNOW you should not be able to count the ribs of these furry critters The pellets given with them, were the only food they've been given... I'm extremely concerned for their weight issues, and vitamin C levels. Also, not sure if the poor Creature's "bad spot" could be caused by being underweight?

I examined the other one (I have yet to do feet for either guinea) and there is no other problems other than weight. Any suggestions, and good foods to get their weight back up?

edit: I checked them both, for their feet. Both, on their right back paw have a sore. I have been told I can give them a warm epsom salt foot bath, correct?

[bookwrmgrl1019]

Try some alfalfa hay, but this is only for nursing sows, babies, and underweight adults. Don't give it to any guinea pig that is healthy as it can cause bladder stones over a period of time.

[Senamian]

Good thing I have alfalfa on hand then is it okay to do a warm epsom foot bath for their sores? One looks a bit dirty (black and white gal) the other looks "okay" but I'd like to cleanse it safely.
They aren't like the bumble foot pictures I am seeing, just looks like what we get when our heels rub against our shoes - an open sore.

[bookwrmgrl1019]

Also, take them both to the vet ASAP please!
P.S. The shredded newspaper in the cage is not good for them. It has ink and doesn't absorb well.

[Senamian]

Thanks for the newspaper tip :3 I'm switching them out to the stuff Honey is on.

[bookwrmgrl1019]

This might be a cause of the sores and appetite, but don't take my word, go to the vet!
http://www.guinealynx.info/pododermatitis.html

[Senamian]

I want to get a picture for you of their feet I've actually looked up bumblefoot, and it doesn't look like the variations... They actually began chowing down on the alfalfa and new food (I tossed out the pellets they were given, and used mine that has protein and vitamin C in it...) I gave them. I will be checking around for a vet that'll take guineas, as a precaution. Do you know on average what a check up for them would be?

[bookwrmgrl1019]

To clean the feet, place the guinea on top of a wet washcloth in a bathtub with only 1 centimeter of lukewarm water in it. They should clean the sores themselves. Then place them on some kind of clean, soft bedding. You could use fleece. A vet checkup should cost around $50 more or less but don't quote me on that, call your vet

[Senamian]

Yay for fleece!! =D yay for being into sewing o_O And yeah.. I know Creature needs to go now. Checked again, hers is swollen with a sore opening. The other guinea, not so much from whatt I see..... it's just a flat sore. I'll be giving them those baths. Are there any veggies good for weight gain for these girls?

[bookwrmgrl1019]

red/green pepper, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli (can cause gas), apples and oranges (moderation...NO seeds in the apples) Greed beans, grapes, dandelion leaves

[louie_joey]

They really should see a vet, soon! Lettuce, bell peppers and cilantro are the staples for these guys, so they should be consistently eating those before you try getting them to eat other veggies. I am sure that if you did a forum search you could find some threads with people having underweight pigs and from there you can get some tips that worked for them.

[Senamian]

Thanks for the food tips! also, I added pictures above...sorry for low quality... first one is.. Creature's foot. the swollen one, who also is sore near her back. The other one is the other gal, and her foot is flat, no disfiguration of any kind. I'll definitely call around, find a vet, and find out prices too! poor things... I don't even know if they've ever been fed veggies. I doubt it.

[Senamian]

I feel sooo bad that they are in this condition... But hey, now I'll make sure they are clean, healthy, and they get what the need

[Senamian]

update: oh yuck!! I gave Creature a foot bath, and cleaned the outside of her eras (one looks to be chewed on) and not only did she reek like poo, but her ears are a terrible mess. Poor Creature!!!

[Hhbean]

I have a piggy that if you touch/scratch a certain area on his back he will have bite down (almost like a seizure) but my other 3 boys will purr. When i was checking over for bites after introducing all 4 piggies, i hit that spot and he bit my thumb down to the bone and couldn't let go I avoid that spot on him as much as possible. He is a little snuggle bug and gives kisses, it's just the nerve that sets him off.The vet said it's like a dogs belly, when you scratch it they shake their leg. Of course she should still see a vet for her foot and to rule out anything else.

[Senamian]

Hmm okay I'll keep that in mind! the other two don't mind. Phantom (the half masked gal =D ) is pretty thin, but both girls chowed down on fresh lettuce, and cilantro, plus a couple slices of apple without hesitation!!! Only wish Honey would eat her veggies/fruits And I'm definitely taking them in... I see that Creature is in some pain, and I want to make sure it is nothing too serious that a little TLC couldn't take care of

[bpatters]

You can soak that foot in a dilute solution of chlorhexadine, which is available from any pharmacy. It's better than Epsom salts for foot soaking for guinea pigs. Epsom salts will help reduce the swelling, but the chlorhexadine will attack any infection that may be there.

A large bottle cap makes a good footbath for a guinea pig, if you apply enough food to the other end for it to stay still!

Get some cold pressed virgin coconut oil and rub it in gently. It does look like the beginning of either bumblefoot or urine scald, and either should clear up with that treatment. If not, you'll need to go to the vet.

[Senamian]

Wow thanks for that helpful advice! I asked a couple other people about the yellowed nails - one mentioned it can be from standing in urine too long? They got bathed, brushed, Ceature got trimmed, and after her bath the foot actually looks normal for now... a little red. So far so good! I am still taking them to a vet because they need a check up BADLY. I'm glad I got them to ate. Today, they get to try peppers no seeds.

Also a curious question... Is there a recommended brush that is gentle to use for them? the one I have is a small wire brush - that is for dogs I am sure. Creature cannot be touched lightly with it because it does hurt (for anything to touch certain spots), and Panda (Phantom's new name, revised :3) doesn't like it.

[bookwrmgrl1019]

You could use a soft brush like this

[Senamian]

cool!! thanks the wire one without barely touching them they flipped at me and tried biting the brush o_o I don't want to use it .