We recently read a thread on the Australian Guinea Pig Rescue Network Public Discussion Group by Alex John McDonald and thought it was an interesting article to share once we got permission .....
I continually hear of people with wire bases on their guinea pig runs/housing. Irrespective of whether or not the wire base is on grass or any other surface , your guinea pig will still be walking on "wire". The following excerpt will explain to those who may not know about the issue of "Bumblefoot" and the difficulty in successfully treating it.
PODODERMATITIS (Bumblefoot) in Guinea Pigs
Pododermatitis in a guinea pig.Ulcerative pododermatitis, also known as bumblefoot, is an extremely painful infection of the footpad. The footpad is swollen and may be crusted and/or bleeding. In severe cases, the guinea pig may be reluctant to move, depressed, and anorexic. If the bone becomes infected, the leg may need to be surgically removed.
Left untreated, pododermatitis can result in death.
Cause: Pododermatitis is often attributed to abrasions caused by wire floors or rough bedding which allow infections (typically Staphylococcus aureus, a common environmental bacteria) to become established. Prevention focuses on avoiding these causes.
.Guinea pigs are one of many animals that can suffer from this disease.
Please consider the effect this may have on your beloved guinea pig if they are on wire based runs/housing. You have the ability to reduce the risks of this painful condition with a little bit of thought and consideration regarding the flooring and lessen the odds of your piggy not suffering from this.
Hope all the piggies out there are happy .....
I continually hear of people with wire bases on their guinea pig runs/housing. Irrespective of whether or not the wire base is on grass or any other surface , your guinea pig will still be walking on "wire". The following excerpt will explain to those who may not know about the issue of "Bumblefoot" and the difficulty in successfully treating it.
PODODERMATITIS (Bumblefoot) in Guinea Pigs
Pododermatitis in a guinea pig.Ulcerative pododermatitis, also known as bumblefoot, is an extremely painful infection of the footpad. The footpad is swollen and may be crusted and/or bleeding. In severe cases, the guinea pig may be reluctant to move, depressed, and anorexic. If the bone becomes infected, the leg may need to be surgically removed.
Left untreated, pododermatitis can result in death.
Cause: Pododermatitis is often attributed to abrasions caused by wire floors or rough bedding which allow infections (typically Staphylococcus aureus, a common environmental bacteria) to become established. Prevention focuses on avoiding these causes.
.Guinea pigs are one of many animals that can suffer from this disease.
Please consider the effect this may have on your beloved guinea pig if they are on wire based runs/housing. You have the ability to reduce the risks of this painful condition with a little bit of thought and consideration regarding the flooring and lessen the odds of your piggy not suffering from this.
Hope all the piggies out there are happy .....
Guinea pigs walking on wire floors must be like you or me walking barefoot on a stony beach ; very painful! Surely wire floored cages are outmoded in this day and age. We are all much more knowledgeable about our piggies well-being and care. I am no expert, but I would imagine that keeping a guinea pig on concrete could cause bumble-foot, too. Yes, the concrete might keep the claws down, but do allow access to a softer surface at the same time.