Bumblefoot? Help/opinions please.

[Tallyn]

I just recently bought 2 new guinea's on December 22nd of this month. They had been doing fine for a little while, until just yesterday I noticed that one (Nea) seemed lathargic and cold, she was shivering and nearly looked to be sleeping or trying to during a time she would not normally sleep. This particular guinea was the more skittish of the two and it was extremely out of charector. She even let us grab her and lay her down on her back without trying to flip over and that was EXTREMELY uncharacteristic as we had never even been able to touch or grab her yet without her running. I had to bring her back to petco and they have a doctors appointment tomorrow on Friday the 30th. I fear a UPR. They are so young and I am worried about her pulling through..

Then this AM as I was researching things on the internet I learned about bumblefoot, and not while looking at my remaining guinea at the moment, I am worried about that as well! This guinea (Nala) seems to be fine so I dont think the bacteria affected her to give her a UPR. But she is a little heavier than the other one, and does seem to get around a little slower than the other when the other (Nea) was showing healthy. It seemed normal as she was just less skittish and a little larger/chunkier pig. But after looking at her front foot now I am concerned about potentially having bumblefoot. I have attached some pictures, any opinions here?

 

[Tallyn]

I am trying to attach pictures, but they option seems greyed out.. What in the world. Ugh. Still trying to post them.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear your new piggies are poorly.

You will be able to add pictures once your registration is fully complete and ‘new born pup’ appears under your avatar. The health team will keep an eye on this thread and can comment once the process is complete.

 

[Tallyn]

Here are the pictures!

Again, she doesn't seem she is in any pain or anything. She is eating and acting normal. But ss you all know prey mentality is good at hiding issues. She doesn't squeak or show any pain she its touched or she moves.

 

[Piggies&buns]

To clarify, the piggies have been separated and one is now back at the shop and one is still with you is that correct?

Keep an eye on them and weigh them regularly to ensure she is eating enough hay - weekly weight checks are your only way to know they are eating enough hay. Any reduction in hay intake and consequently weight loss can often be a first sign of something wrong.
Weight - Monitoring and Management

I’m not seeing any open sores (which is what bumblefoot is).

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

It doesn't look like bumblefoot to me, just normal differently coloured skin markings. But you may want to keep an eye on potential ringworm (which is a fungal skin infection) on one foot. We cannot diagnose it without access to your piggies, nor are we allowed to here in the UK where our forum is based.

But you can find helpful information in this guide link here: New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

 

[Swissgreys]

If I have understood correctly you already have an appointment for one of your piggies on 30 Dec?
In that case I would take both of them along so they can both be properly checked by a vet.
If you haven't had them very long then the chances are high that any problems they have now they already had when you bought them from the shop.
This means the shop should offer to treat them free of charge.

 

[Tallyn]

To clarify, the piggies have been separated and one is now back at the shop and one is still with you is that correct?

Keep an eye on them and weigh them regularly to ensure she is eating enough hay - weekly weight checks are your only way to know they are eating enough hay. Any reduction in hay intake and consequently weight loss can often be a first sign of something wrong.
Weight - Monitoring and Management

I’m not seeing any open sores (which is what bumblefoot is).

Yes that is true. I didnt want them seperated. But unfortunately it was necessary due to the way one was responding. They came into the shop together and had been together the entire time at home. So it does raise concerns in me about them being just as friendly when re introduced expecting my one piggie at the pet store now soon to be at the vet tomorrow at 10:30AM (Nea) comes out to be fine.

And okay, I was concerned on the twist of the foot, how it doesnt look exactly flat like the others. And it did look like a little hair loss as well.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I agree, the shop should pay your vet bill. I would be aware that the shop may offer to take them back, please don’t give them back as they are classed as “spoiled goods” and face a very uncertain future

 

[Tallyn]

If I have understood correctly you already have an appointment for one of your piggies on 30 Dec?
In that case I would take both of them along so they can both be properly checked by a vet.
If you haven't had them very long then the chances are high that any problems they have now they already had when you bought them from the shop.
This means the shop should offer to treat them free of charge.

I have considered doing this. I was trying to identify potnetial issues first though, as I didnt want to create more stress on them. And put them through additional seperation and stress. However, the store also doesnt seem super involved and excited in taking care of the animals. They 'returned' my first guinea (Nea) who is already with them and made an appointment for 2 days ahead of time which is now tomorrow as this happened yesterday, even though I was initially quite concerned.

 

[Tallyn]

I agree, the shop should pay your vet bill. I would be aware that the shop may offer to take them back, please don’t give them back as they are classed as “spoiled goods” and face a very uncertain future

This DID happen, as it was apparently policy. I am calling every day to check on her and they assure me after treatment they can 'sell' her back to me. Honestly ridiculous.

 

[Bill & Ted]

This DID happen, as it was apparently policy. I am calling every day to check on her and they assure me after treatment they can 'sell' her back to me. Honestly ridiculous.

As long as they know that you want her back then they should stand by this agreement

 

[Freela]

I don't see anything like bumblefoot. Loss of fur on the inner forefeet is normal, guinea pigs use their forefeet to groom themselves and may lose hair because of that. Fingers crossed your girl at the pet store is properly treated and gets back soon. That's got to be really stressful!