Nails/Nail Trimming Odd nail

[MrWhistles]

Sugar's nails have always been crusty and thick. But now one of her hind nails has turned into this. I am not even sure if I should trim it.

 

[pineapplepigs]

I cant give any advice on that... Has she ever gone to the vet for nail trimming? I would recommend it this time the vet could give some info on her nails.

 

[Rywen]

I wonder if guinea pigs get toenail fungus, that's kind of what it looks like.

 

[MrWhistles]

I cant give any advice on that... Has she ever gone to the vet for nail trimming? I would recommend it this time the vet could give some info on her nails.

She does not, and I am not comfortable with them trimming considering they charge $12, take them out of the room and won't do the trimming in the room. I have particular ways I want my animals handled and this exotic vet is the most experienced in my area, but handles them in a way I don't like.

 

[lissie]

I wonder if the nail is infected. If it didn't used to look like that and just changed, you should have it looked at.

 

[pineapplepigs]

I have never heard of the vet taking the cavy out of the room... Now that I think of it you can always email or call your vet and ask about her nail condition. That is pretty expensave for just 5 min. When my dog Sasha was attacked by coyotes (shes a great dane) they wanted $1,100 just to see her ._.

 

[MrWhistles]

Well my vet has already closed today. They were close at the time I noticed this anyhow and they'll be closed tomorrow, but I left a message inquiring to make an appointment so they'll call me back ASAP when they open Monday.

 

[lissie]

Monday should be fine. I don't think it's an urgent issue.

 

[pinky]

I had a similar thing with my oldest guinea pig recently. Her back nails thickened and starting looking rough. When I tried trimming them, it seemed the quick was growing into the tip of the nail more. My thought was fungus, too, so I would soak her feet in a diluted Malaseb solution and a diluted chlorhexidine solution. Neither made a difference. I took her to the vet and they cut off parts of the nail to examine it for bacteria or fungus. They said it definitely wasn't a fungus and thought that the bacteria was more from walking in the cage than in the nail itself. My feeling it was from her sitting on her back legs when she pees. She always does that and it looked like the nails were getting sludgy build up on them. Anyway, my vet cut back the excess thickness on the nails and trimmed them down as much as he could. He prescribed Trizultra diluted 1 part to 8 parts water for soaking two times a day. He also put her on a low dose of Baytril. The nail looks like it's staying clean and I was able to start trimming off tiny bits without it bleeding. The two vets said they haven't seen this in guinea pigs before and that they'd contact other exotic vets in the area to consult with if it didn't improve. It does look better already so I think this is working. The funny thing is, her front nails are perfect and none of my other 5 have it so it really makes me think it's from the urine.

 

[MrWhistles]

Let me give you an analogy. I recently had shoulder surgery and I don't like my surgeon's attitude nor do I care for his "bedside manner". But, I don't plan on inviting him for dinner nor do I have any desire to date the man. The fact is that he is one of the best shoulder specialists in the country and I'm seeing him for his expertise, not anything else.

Having this vet treat your cavy once in a while won't scar the animal for life emotionally. I would bet that it bothers you far more than it does Sugar. Pay the money to have the nail examined. If the nail should be infected, it will cost you far more in the long run to just let it go.

I'm sorry, maybe I wasn't clear in my post? I stated I don't like their trimming the pigs nails because they take them out of the room for nail trimmings and won't trim the nails in the room. I've even offered to hold my pigs myself while they trim their nails. I've seen them handle the dogs and cats, they're VERY rough with them. Even with a dog that is very calm and compliant.(the reason why they aren't my dog/cat vet)
Obviously you missed the post where I stated I had called them and left them a message about setting an appointment to get this nail checked out.

 

[MrWhistles]

I had a similar thing with my oldest guinea pig recently. Her back nails thickened and starting looking rough. When I tried trimming them, it seemed the quick was growing into the tip of the nail more. My thought was fungus, too, so I would soak her feet in a diluted Malaseb solution and a diluted chlorhexidine solution. Neither made a difference. I took her to the vet and they cut off parts of the nail to examine it for bacteria or fungus. They said it definitely wasn't a fungus and thought that the bacteria was more from walking in the cage than in the nail itself. My feeling it was from her sitting on her back legs when she pees. She always does that and it looked like the nails were getting sludgy build up on them. Anyway, my vet cut back the excess thickness on the nails and trimmed them down as much as he could. He prescribed Trizultra diluted 1 part to 8 parts water for soaking two times a day. He also put her on a low dose of Baytril. The nail looks like it's staying clean and I was able to start trimming off tiny bits without it bleeding. The two vets said they haven't seen this in guinea pigs before and that they'd contact other exotic vets in the area to consult with if it didn't improve. It does look better already so I think this is working. The funny thing is, her front nails are perfect and none of my other 5 have it so it really makes me think it's from the urine.

I haven't been able to see her pee to know wither or not she tinkles on her feet. But I'll keep your pig's case in mind and speak with my vet about it, see what she says. Thanks for offering your experience.

 

[MrWhistles]

A picture of the underside of her foot if it helps someone.
I did note that these foot pads appear more dry than the others.

 

[Princess_Piggie]

I'm sorry, maybe I wasn't clear in my post? I stated I don't like their trimming the pigs nails because they take them out of the room for nail trimmings and won't trim the nails in the room. I've even offered to hold my pigs myself while they trim their nails. I've seen them handle the dogs and cats, they're VERY rough with them. Even with a dog that is very calm and compliant.(the reason why they aren't my dog/cat vet)
Obviously you missed the post where I stated I had called them and left them a message about setting an appointment to get this nail checked out.

Totally understand. I was a faithful client of one vet's with my dog, Chip, before he passed and (prior to joining to forum) assumed a good dog vet was a good cavy vet. So I took my girls along for a check up the week I got them, and it was a horrendous ordeal. First, the vet didn't have a clue about how to handle a piggie, and Daisy, true to her nature, endured the manhandling, but when poor Minnie was squealing in agony at how badly the vet handled her, I couldn't take it! So naturally, I've switched vets, and they're great with my girls, as well as being cavy savvy.

 

[MrWhistles]

They are very cavy savvy, it's just the handling outside the room that bothers me. Inside the room, the vet has correct handling, but it's when the animal gets passed onto the vet techs that it falls apart.

 

[MrWhistles]

Vet called this morning and we have an appointment settled for Friday.
I was able to text my vet the photos and she says it looks sort of like one of her boar's nails. Said he had ripped the entire nail off when living in a wire bottom cage before she rescued him and that is how his nail grew back.

But to be sure, she still would like to see Sugar so she can take some samples of her nail and see if there's any bacteria, fungus or anything of the like.

I've only had Sugar for about 3? weeks. This is the 1st time I've had to trim her nails, but I've looked her over several times before and don't remember her nail looking like this.

 

[pineapplepigs]

I would ask your vet if you could put some cold pressed coconut oil on her pad to try moisturizing it.

 

[pinky]

I would ask your vet if you could put some cold pressed coconut oil on her pad to try moisturizing it.

The coconut oil is a good idea. The vet doesn't even have to give okay on using it.

 

[MrWhistles]

Oh, I've actually started doing that. As well as an Epsom salt soak on that 1 foot incase there actually IS something there, I am getting a slight head start on knocking it down.

 

[MrWhistles]

Since starting the espom salt, the nail hasn't improved or gotten worse. The foot pad is no longer dry looking though.
Sugar also saw the vet today. Vet took samples of the nail and trimmed the nail for me. Says the nail doesn't show sign of bacteria or fungus. But she sent the samples off to a lab to confirm.

 

[pineapplepigs]

fingers and paws crossed!