Bumblefoot

[caroline081]

Hi everyone,

I was recently reading about a guinea pig who got bumblefoot was put down because it got very severe. Our girls thankfully don't have any sign of this but I got a bit concerned about it, are there any precautions that you guys would recommend?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

I was recently reading about a guinea pig who got bumblefoot was put down because it got very severe. Our girls thankfully don't have any sign of this but I got a bit concerned about it, are there any precautions that you guys would recommend?

Bumblefoot is very rare in well kept guinea pigs that are kept on regularly cleaned bedding and that are seen by a vet long before things get really bad. Bumblefoot can be fatal if things are left untreated for so long that the infection can spread into the bones. It is most common where guinea pigs are kept on wire mesh (for which guinea pigs are not adapted to) or in neglect cases.

Elderly guinea pigs with mobility issues (arthritis, back weakness or paralysis) are more prone to get infections underneath their weight bearing front leg pads because they are no longer able to take the weight off their front feet and are also more prone to sitting in their own waste. Ideally you keep them on vetbed bedding and clean their area out 2-3 times a dat, including gently wiping their bums and foot pads with a soft damp cloth as they cannot do that for themselves anymore.

The early signs of a potential infection are isolated red spots on the pads (never the whole pad - pink feet are a sign of increased blood circulation) and swelling of the pad in one foot compare with the other.

 

[caroline081]

Bumblefoot is very rare in well kept guinea pigs that are kept on regularly cleaned bedding and that are seen by a vet long before things get really bad. Bumblefoot can be fatal if things are left untreated for so long that the infection can spread into the bones. It is most common where guinea pigs are kept on wire mesh (for which guinea pigs are not adapted to) or in neglect cases.

Thank youu

 

[MaryCD]

My GPig Nic (7 yrs old), battles with Bumble foot as she has arthritis in hind legs and spine (just got diagnosed as she recently dragging back legs). The Vet prescribed Baytril for her bumble foot (both front paws-from all weight on front paws-she is cleaned several times a day, and we have fleece and soft bedding that is absorbent). She has been doing well with Baytril and soaking her paws 2x day in Epsom salted water, then apply witch hazel). The Vet was horrified with her xrays showing bad condition of her hind legs, and curved spine-but since she doesnt seem to be in pain and has a happy disposition we are Not putting her down. Our goal is to keep her comfy -pain free (she has Metacam 1x/day). The strange new behavior is that she is sitting outside of her favorite double wide igloo? any thoughts here why?

 

[TAN]

My aptly named sadly now deceased boar Bumble had a very bad case of Bumblefoot that took 6 months to heal - this came on in a matter of a couple of days after an hour long surgery for bladder stones that had adhered to the bladder wall - my piggy specialist vet says that it rare cases this can happen after surgery when the immune system is low and it is worth keeping a close eye on all feet for a few weeks after any surgery - Bumble had over 5 surgeries in 2 years and had another episode of Bumblefoot after his 3rd surgery - my piggy specialist vet who also has her own piggies even had one of her sows develop it after her sow had had a litter - so it is not always down to bad hygiene - on the plus side my vet has had a lot of experience with Bumblefoot and has never had an instance where she has not been able to cure it - The secret is a prolonged course of antibiotics - minimum six weeks but possibly several months and keeping the weight off the pads as much as possible - this is achieved by placing allevyn padded surgical dressing under the pad to cushion the foot,then wrapping it in gauze and then wrapping in fabric Elastoplast all the way up the leg - ( you use surgical spirit to get it off ) this should be changed twice a week to start then can go down to once a week ) - hopefully your piggy will never suffer from it.