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Adopted a guinea pig yesterday with gnarly nails! Help please

Soggyeggroll

Soggyeggroll

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
May 30, 2020
Messages
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Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hi everyone, so I adopted this boy yesterday and noticed his nails were really long. Today he was comfortable enough for me to actually exam them... I'm beyond shocked. Not only are they long with quicks the length their nails should be but one on the front seems to be blown up, the two next to it has red veins sticking throughout them. I've never in my life seen this... I've made a vet appointment. Unfortunately it wont be before the 9th I can bring him, what on earth can I do until then to help him be more comfortable? I'm too scared to cut them seeing their state... any advice would be appreciated as I'm feeling bad for him :( thank you for reading.20200530_150458.webp
 

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Oh your poor piggy! They must be so uncomfortable! Can't give any advice as not had any experience of this problem. Someone will be along soon.
 
I don’t know if it would be an idea to trim off a little bit. One of them look a little bloody (second pic) - where is it from? Poor boy that must be quite sore. Was he previously kept in bad conditions?
I’ll tag @Wiebke @VickiA @Piggies&buns
 
Soggyeggroll said:
Hi everyone, so I adopted this boy yesterday and noticed his nails were really long. Today he was comfortable enough for me to actually exam them... I'm beyond shocked. Not only are they long with quicks the length their nails should be but one on the front seems to be blown up, the two next to it has red veins sticking throughout them. I've never in my life seen this... I've made a vet appointment. Unfortunately it wont be before the 9th I can bring him, what on earth can I do until then to help him be more comfortable? I'm too scared to cut them seeing their state... any advice would be appreciated as I'm feeling bad for him :( thank you for reading.
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Poor boy! :(

That needs some careful trimming and ideally a vet check for the bloody toe to make sure that no infection is getting into the foot. Start with the easy bits or ask your vet whether some of the nurses would be willing to do it for you when you send them the pictures.
 
Oh the poor little love. I think that those feet should count as priority with the vets if you send them photos in an email. I think they need looking at and carefully treating to make sure there isn’t an infection in the swollen toe. I would speak to the vets and explain it isn’t simply a nail trim that is needed but a check over and specialist review.
 
I agree, I'm sure if they see those.pictures they will see it as an urgent case.
 
Siikibam said:
I don’t know if it would be an idea to trim off a little bit. One of them look a little bloody (second pic) - where is it from? Poor boy that must be quite sore. Was he previously kept in bad conditions?
I’ll tag @Wiebke @VickiA @Piggies&buns
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Thank you so much for the reply, all I know of his past is that he was kept as a single pig and is around 4 years old, and only had carrots for veggies so hes experiencing a lot of new things but not very active. I have him separated from the other two for now in a clean cage. Been holding him on a soft dog bed but trying not to stress him. I've contacted another vet, hoping he can go in sooner.
 
He was in serious need of a haircut also. I forgot to add
Soggyeggroll said:
Thank you so much for the reply, all I know of his past is that he was kept as a single pig and is around 4 years old, and only had carrots for veggies so hes experiencing a lot of new things but not very active. I have him separated from the other two for now in a clean cage. Been holding him on a soft dog bed but trying not to stress him. I've contacted another vet, hoping he can go in sooner.
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I'Ve emailed another vet, hoping for a sooner date. I'm hoping if he gets a trim every two weeks his toes will go back to normal as his toes are a bit warped. I had no idea what condition he was in other than in need of a haircut, I was told he was healthy. He doesnt seem healthy enough though. I doubt he was neglected... just not properly cared for. I think it's been a long time, she said he hasnt had a haircut since the virus started :(
Wiebke said:
Poor boy! :(

That needs some careful trimming and ideally a vet check for the bloody toe to make sure that no infection is getting into the foot. Start with the easy bits or ask your vet whether some of the nurses would be willing to do it for you when you send them the pictures.
Click to expand...
 
Under the Daily Care section there is a Guide to grooming guinea pigs. Can't link it in on this device. You may find that helpful.
 
I would email the vets a photo then follow up with a phone call. Hopefully that should get you an earlier appointment.

Please can you add tour county/state/country to your profile. Sometimes the information given needs tailoring depending where you’re located.
 
Siikibam said:
I would email the vets a photo then follow up with a phone call. Hopefully that should get you an earlier appointment.

Please can you add tour county/state/country to your profile. Sometimes the information given needs tailoring depending where you’re located.
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Sorry, I just joined for this post I haven't had time to edit all that info, I normally look at posts from this site though so I felt I could trust it! I'm in halifax, nova scotia, Canada. From what I know theres one exotic vet that works a lot with guinea pigs, and one other place that sometimes does. I'm hoping to see dr farrow, who's been recommended by a rescue I asked for advice.
 
Soggyeggroll said:
Sorry, I just joined for this post I haven't had time to edit all that info, I normally look at posts from this site though so I felt I could trust it! I'm in halifax, nova scotia, Canada. From what I know theres one exotic vet that works a lot with guinea pigs, and one other place that sometimes does. I'm hoping to see dr farrow, who's been recommended by a rescue I asked for advice.
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Okay that’s fine. Good luck and let us know. It’s good you’re getting him in, there’s no harm in a health check at the same time. Hopefully all will be well and his nails just need a trim ☺️
 
Aw, good on you for rescuing the poor little mite. I hope you can get him sorted soon and on his way to a much happier life x
 
Poor little piggy - he’s so lucky you rescued him.
Hope you can get a quicker vet appointment.
Keep us posted
 
Poor little thing.... they look very uncomfortable... glad you have got an appointment soon... best to get a vet / vet nurse to do them initially... all the best and hopefully he will now get some better care.
 
Thinking of you both, hope you can get him back in tip top health again x
 
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