Feet feet problems other than bumblefoot

[lenarenee]

First, let me apologize for starting another post about the same pig. However - I've had countless problems with this forum such as having to change my password every single time I want to log in - but then finding out I still can't get in. I also can't access many parts or the forum or threads.

I'll try to be brief: 2 year old female guinea pig has had red back heels/feet (no bleeding, no scabs, no ulcers) for 2 months or more. Been to 2 vets with diagnosis of pressure sores, then bumblefoot. Did Baytril and pain medicine. Found her losing fur on her feet and one eyelid - plus scratching a lot - got Revolution for that and just applied the last dose.

Vet said change from fleece to CareFresh. I said No! Carefresh would be brutal on her feet - used Kaytee clean and cozy - but went through massive amounts of it because it had to be changed 3 or 4 times a day to keep things scrupulously clean. She liked it...but had no impact on her feet. Went back to fleece - with lots of layers of uhaul or towels under it to pad it as much as possible.

Through the whole thing, her feet would go from bright red, to a duller purple, to even a healthier looking pink. But they regress to desperately red within a 24 hour period! That's what happened tonight - after three days of seeing no changes in her condition and thinking that she's finally going to heal....SLAM! Her feet are as bad as ever!

Now, this time - I can say that there are 2 different things going on in her life. 1)Pain/inflammation med has been once a day for 1 week. 2) to stimulate blood flow, 2 - 3 times a day I cover a bed with fleece for exercise time - sprinkle bits of veggies all around to make her forage for them. Due to a busy and stressful day yesterday - she only had 2 exercise times in 48 hours. However, keep in mind that these regressions have been the status quo of the entire 2 months.

The last time I spoke with the vet, he wasn't concerned that she still had red feet! Quote: "Once they have red feet - they always have red feet."

This vet comes very, very highly recommended from other vets and the techs that work with him. But I'm shocked that there hasn't been more initiative taken here.

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience with guinea pig feet problems - whether its bumblefoot or not. Thank you.

 

[lenarenee]

It's now almost a month later, we've seen a 3rd vet who said it was early bumblefoot, but gave no antibiotics, just pain med and said she might be on it the rest of her life.

I'm not satisfied with any of this. Is bumblefoot so common, or so difficult to treat that these vets don't seem to care? Metacam is hard on the kidneys and can damage them.

I'm left with these questions: was the first vet correct in diagnosing pressure sores? Are they a precursor to bumblefoot - since injured flesh is open to infection? Or, if it is bumblefoot was 2 weeks of Baytril enough? Is that the standard length of treatment? (there was no sign of improvement at 2 weeks)

I'm also very intrigued with this from Guinea Lynx: http://www.guinealynx.info/pododermatitis.html

Has anyone dealt with vets who don't seem to care? Pressure sores, or stubborn bumblefoot? Did you try techniques not allocated by your vet?