NicholsS10
Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Posts
- 794
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 794
It's been a long time since I've posted here, but I want some advice from other guinea pig lovers.
I only have one guinea pig left from my herd, my 7 year old sow, BoJangles (Bo).
Over the summer she was diagnosed with arthritis, and to make a long story short, she's on 2 different medications daily to control her arthritis symptoms: 0.35cc of Metacam every night and 0.10cc of Gabapentin every morning. Recently I started her on a physical therapy regiment every 3 to 4 days to help strengthen her legs (walking/swimming in the bathtub for about 10 to 15 minutes). Her arthritis is pretty well controlled now, as long as I can keep her strength up.
Because of her age, her nails don't grow much anymore, so it was only a few days ago that I noticed what I believe to be bumblefoot developing on her front 2 paws. Since I give regular updates to her vet via e-mail (her vet is 90 minutes away since I'm in college, and the local vets are terrible with guinea pigs), I took pictures of her feet, and sent them to my vet. She confirmed my diagnosis and started her on Trimeth Sulfa 0.35cc twice a day (I had a decent amount leftover from November that was being kept in the refrigerator just in case I needed it). She has also recommended doing epsom salt soaks. I called the vet this evening since I have more questions, but she won't be in until tomorrow.
I looked up and read the page on bumblefoot on guinealynx.info which was quite informative; however, I was wondering if anyone had personal experience with bumblefoot that can give me tips and tricks for dealing with it?
Has anyone tried and/or had success with diluted betadine soak? If so, how much do you dilute and how often do you do them?
Should I apply cold pressed virgin organic coconut oil after epsom salt soaks to prevent drying?
What about chlorhexidine solution soaks? How much do you dilute? How often do you soak? Is this better than betadine? Would I use the coconut oil after this as well?
SHOULD I wrap her feet? This is something I keep asking myself...Even with everything I do for her arthritis, she still stumbles from time to time, I wonder if wrapping her feet are going to make it too difficult for her to move properly, and I CANNOT allow her to stop moving less than she is now, she would weaken further. If I wrap her feet, is there something I can wrap her feet with that won't effect her mobility too much? I read on guinealynx that someone recommended new skin wound and blister and band-aid brand corn relief cushion...if I soak her feet twice a day, putting those on and off may be irritating...What about something waterproof so I can continue her physical therapy (it's not something I can really stop while her bumblefoot heals...)
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you everyone in advance! (Below is a picture of her bad paws)
I only have one guinea pig left from my herd, my 7 year old sow, BoJangles (Bo).
Over the summer she was diagnosed with arthritis, and to make a long story short, she's on 2 different medications daily to control her arthritis symptoms: 0.35cc of Metacam every night and 0.10cc of Gabapentin every morning. Recently I started her on a physical therapy regiment every 3 to 4 days to help strengthen her legs (walking/swimming in the bathtub for about 10 to 15 minutes). Her arthritis is pretty well controlled now, as long as I can keep her strength up.
Because of her age, her nails don't grow much anymore, so it was only a few days ago that I noticed what I believe to be bumblefoot developing on her front 2 paws. Since I give regular updates to her vet via e-mail (her vet is 90 minutes away since I'm in college, and the local vets are terrible with guinea pigs), I took pictures of her feet, and sent them to my vet. She confirmed my diagnosis and started her on Trimeth Sulfa 0.35cc twice a day (I had a decent amount leftover from November that was being kept in the refrigerator just in case I needed it). She has also recommended doing epsom salt soaks. I called the vet this evening since I have more questions, but she won't be in until tomorrow.
I looked up and read the page on bumblefoot on guinealynx.info which was quite informative; however, I was wondering if anyone had personal experience with bumblefoot that can give me tips and tricks for dealing with it?
Has anyone tried and/or had success with diluted betadine soak? If so, how much do you dilute and how often do you do them?
Should I apply cold pressed virgin organic coconut oil after epsom salt soaks to prevent drying?
What about chlorhexidine solution soaks? How much do you dilute? How often do you soak? Is this better than betadine? Would I use the coconut oil after this as well?
SHOULD I wrap her feet? This is something I keep asking myself...Even with everything I do for her arthritis, she still stumbles from time to time, I wonder if wrapping her feet are going to make it too difficult for her to move properly, and I CANNOT allow her to stop moving less than she is now, she would weaken further. If I wrap her feet, is there something I can wrap her feet with that won't effect her mobility too much? I read on guinealynx that someone recommended new skin wound and blister and band-aid brand corn relief cushion...if I soak her feet twice a day, putting those on and off may be irritating...What about something waterproof so I can continue her physical therapy (it's not something I can really stop while her bumblefoot heals...)
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you everyone in advance! (Below is a picture of her bad paws)