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Cutting my piggies nails

J

Jenz87

New Born Pup
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Please help. I am beside myself with worry. I was cutting the nails of one of my piggies today and when I was just away to cut one he jerked his leg away. This resulted in me cutting off his entire nail, but leaving the blood vessel inside intact. This is all thats left on that toe. Just the red strip that was inside the nail. He is obviously tender on it but still walking about and eating. Is this something I need to be worrying about? Is something bad going to happen to him from it? I clean out their cages every 3 days and spot clean their cages twice a day as it is, so hope that he won't get an infection. Please reassure me that everything will be ok. I am so anxious and feel like a bad owner for letting this happen 😭😭😭
 
You're not a bad owner. Accidents happen. I think many of us on this forum, myself included, have accidentally cut into the quick of our piggies nails before. As far as whether or not he needs to see a vet, it's hard to advise on that without seeing the wound in person. With a minor nick in the nail, it will likely heal on it's own without medical intervention. However, if it was a larger chunk of his nail taken out I would suggest you have him seen at the vet just in case.
 
It’s happened with one of my pigs before, and she ended up being fine! Just make sure to monitor your pig as the nail grows back. Remember, most guinea pig owners have probably made that mistake once before. If you really don’t feel comfortable cutting their nails again, you can always see if a local vet will do it. A vet near me cuts my pig’s nails. It makes me feel better than if I were the one doing it!
 
Ow! Poor guy, I always feel like a monster when I get too close to the quick. Mistakes do happen, they are squirmy creatures. I now get someone to hold my pigs so I can hold the foot so it cant wiggle! I do put a bit of Sudocrem on them when it happens. And I second the vet doing their nails. Tho a vet I once had used to have someone else cut their pigs' nails as even tho she does dozens a day, she was too anxious when doing it on her pigs haha. Keep an eye on it, I agree with @Hope4gem.
 
It's not a very clear photo, but this is what's left on his foot after the nail came off yesterday. He is putting weight on the foot, but sometimes hopping a little cos it must be sore. Still eating and behaving like normal. I am just super anxious about it and hope he will be ok
 

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