2 piggies with bumblefoot, Bolton UK

[maxman]

Hi everyone.

We have two guinea pigs at home that are about 18 months old.

We clearly haven't been looking after their feet well enough at all. Their nails are very long and I think both piggies front feet are suffering from bumblefoot.

I'm going to ring a vet first thing in the morning. Unfortunately I've checked the VET map and there are non local to us.

I've asked on local Facebook groups for other cavy owners recommendations.

How should I transport them to the vets?
I assume the vet will give us antibiotics but will they cut the piggies nails? I assume even if they do they will only be able to trim the 'dead' bit off up to the quick?

Is mobile guinea pig grooming a thing?

I'm basically sat here feeling horrendous because I feel like these two animals are in discomfort or pain and I just wish I had realised sooner.

They have a huge area outdoors which I've built and in winter they live inside in two separate c and c hutches which are joined but separate as they fight.

I've been spending an hour up in our playroom with them every night letting them have sofa time etc. I tried to trim their nails this evening which is when I realised

I assume the vet won't be able to cut their nails back to the correct length? My worry is thst they are so long trimming them every couple of weeks is still going to take a long time to get them the right length.


Any help/advice is very much appreciated.

 

[fluffysal]

If they fight they should go to the vet in seperate carriers, vets do offer a nail trim service this is usually carried out by the vet nurse. They should be able to get them to a proper length in one go. I am not an expert and have never had issues with my pigs so definitely get them seen asap.

 

[maxman]

If they fight they should go to the vet in seperate carriers, vets do offer a nail trim service this is usually carried out by the vet nurse. They should be able to get them to a proper length in one go. I am not an expert and have never had issues with my pigs so definitely get them seen asap.

Yeah without a shadow of a doubt they will be transported in separate carriers.

I've sent a couple of emails to local vets and will be ringing them at 9am.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Good luck with the vets, hope you can get an appointment soon and get the right treatment for your piggies.

Is this bumblefoot? One of my oldies got bumblefoot a year ago, this thread I made shows what treatments might be given for it.

 

[fluffysal]

I always use the vet nurse for nail trims. At first it was just because George has all black nails and Tim made it feel like a fight to the death! (He was a 3 person job! One to hold him, one to give him something to bite and one to do the actual trim!). I no longer have Tim and can do Boris but appreciate that they get a check up while there, especially as Boris is a satin.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Good luck getting in at the vets.

 

[YvonneBlue]

I'm sure the vet or veterinary nurse will be able to trim your piggies nails. Hope all goes well at the vets. Do ask here on the forum if you need any help or advice.