Conditions Red feet issue

[Jake8771]

Jen, who will be 7 in December, has an issue with foot inflammation on her front feet. The right foot had bumblefoot but I was able to get it healed with foot soaks and wrapping, its almost back to normal. Now her left foot is starting to get inflamed and red. She’s on fleece, and nothing abrasive at all. I just don’t get it. Right now I have both of her feet wrapped, she doesn’t bother with it thankfully. I trimmed the spur.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I would start with the foot soaks again. She is older and I would guess isn't as mobile as she used to be? That COULD mean that she is lying in her own urine longer than maybe she would have in the past. At least you've caught it quickly and you have the tools to treat it. This isnt a reflection of the care she receives from you. In your shoes I would perhaps use fleece pads where she lies the most, and change them out at least once a day.

 

[Jake8771]

I would start with the foot soaks again. She is older and I would guess isn't as mobile as she used to be? That COULD mean that she is lying in her own urine longer than maybe she would have in the past. At least you've caught it quickly and you have the tools to treat it. This isnt a reflection of the care she receives from you. In your shoes I would perhaps use fleece pads where she lies the most, and change them out at least once a day.

Thanks! Another question is how quickly should fleece absorb the pee and become dry again? It doesn’t sit on top of the fleece but it takes a couple minutes to become dry again

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Thanks! Another question is how quickly should fleece absorb the pee and become dry again? It doesn’t sit on top of the fleece but it takes a couple minutes to become dry again

It sounds to me like it's doing exactly what it should. But bear in mind if she's laying on it she's putting pressure on the fleece and whatever absorbent layer is underneath it, so the fleece may not dry as quickly as it should or would if she wasn't lying on it.

 

[Jake8771]

It sounds to me like it's doing exactly what it should. But bear in mind if she's laying on it she's putting pressure on the fleece and whatever absorbent layer is underneath it, so the fleece may not dry as quickly as it should or would if she wasn't lying on it.

Sure, good point. My vet called about the picture and recommended antibiotics. Now, I’m no vet, but I just think this is not deserving of antibiotics. So I’m now stressed about that. I’m about to leave on vacation tomorrow, I’m bringing her with me but this is just not a great time.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I understand.. Just so you know, bumblefoot IS an infection and if your vet is a qualified exotics vet, I would follow his instructions. Piggies needs rarely follow a timeline that we choose. Jen needs you.

 

[bpatters]

I don't know that I'd give oral antibiotics for that. Deeper infections, which can invade the bone, definitely need oral ones. But you may be able to treat that topically.

I'd start with Epsom salts soaks -- 1/2 cup of warm water with 1/8 teaspoon of Epsom salts. An upside-down bottle cap makes a good foot bath. Soak the foot for several minutes two to three times a day, being very careful not to let the pig drink the solution or get it in its eye. Rinse with plain water afterward and dry the foot well. At night, rub the foot with cold pressed coconut oil -- it's got antibacterial and antifungal properties.

If a couple of weeks of this doesn't show improvement, then you could consider the oral antibiotics.

 

[Jake8771]

I don't know that I'd give oral antibiotics for that. Deeper infections, which can invade the bone, definitely need oral ones. But you may be able to treat that topically.

I'd start with Epsom salts soaks -- 1/2 cup of warm water with 1/8 teaspoon of Epsom salts. An upside-down bottle cap makes a good foot bath. Soak the foot for several minutes two to three times a day, being very careful not to let the pig drink the solution or get it in its eye. Rinse with plain water afterward and dry the foot well. At night, rub the foot with cold pressed coconut oil -- it's got antibacterial and antifungal properties.

If a couple of weeks of this doesn't show improvement, then you could consider the oral antibiotics.

This is where I’m at too, I just don’t think it needs antibiotics, there is no wound. Yesterday I began the epsom salt soaks like in the past. I have more experience than it might seem, I just come here for reliable opinions that I know I can trust. Both of you have been helpful in the past.

Instead of coconut oil, I’m using manuka honey and then I wrap it.

 

[Jake8771]

I understand.. Just so you know, bumblefoot IS an infection and if your vet is a qualified exotics vet, I would follow his instructions. Piggies needs rarely follow a timeline that we choose. Jen needs you.

So, from all of my research on the topic of pododermatitis (bumblefoot) across all species, basically it’s just inflammation of the foot pad. You’re correct in that infection COULD be the cause, but its not always the case. If there is a scab or ulcer, its draining, etc, it’s probably an infection. But the redness and inflammation can be from many other things such as well, such as walking with unequal distribution of weight, urine scald, etc.

Having said that, there is no wound so I am hesitant to treat it as an infection.

 

[Jake8771]

thursday then today

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Which one is which? Bottom photo looks a little worse and beginning to ulcerate?

 

[bpatters]

I think the bottom one is newer. But I'm not sure about the ulceration. It's hard to tell which is worse.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I think the bottom one is newer. But I'm not sure about the ulceration. It's hard to tell which is worse.

The bottom one, at least to me, looks a little redder, and LOOKS like a pustule forming near the top left. I have zero experience with this and only going by what I've seen here.

 

[Jake8771]

The bottom is newer, that ulcer looking spot has been there, you just cant see it in the other picture as well. I think it seems redder because its shiny from soaking and applying stuff to it. Im going to incorporate betadine soaks as well. We are on vacation out of state and I have her with me. Sigh, worst possible time for this.

 

[Jake8771]

This is another one from today

 

[Jake8771]

Well after having the bandage off and not right after soaking it, look how less red it looks

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Well after having the bandage off and not right after soaking it, look how less red it looks

That's definitely better than earlier. I'd say keep doing what you're doing, it seems to be helping.

On a side note, others may not agree with this but if I could take my boys on vacation with me I would do it in a heartbeat. That would be why I want to buy a large camping trailer or RV, so that I can do exactly that.

 

[Jake8771]

Yes I’m very fortunate to have a family home here where I can bring her. I just use her travel cage, Its okay for a short period. I change the fleece daily. She requires too much to leave her, especially with her sister not being here anymore

 

[Jake8771]

I think that wrapping it is somehow making it more irritated. The first picture was this morning after not having it wrapped overnight, then I wrapped it and the second picture is this afternoon after being wrapped.

 

[ItsaZoo]

I haven’t had a Guinea pig with feet that red, but I have used diaper rash cream on irritated feet and back legs. I cleaned the area first, then applied the cream to get it covered thoroughly. It’s waterproof so if she’s sitting in one place and it’s wet, the cream will act as a barrier.