How many times a day should I soak a foot with a pressure sore?

[wheekly]

Recap: Pumpkin developed a small pressure sore on her foot while her arthritis was causing her to move around less. Her dose increased and now she’s much more mobile. The vet doesn’t think it’s bumblefoot/an infection, but rather the result of how much pressure was being put on the front feet while we figured out the correct dosage.

I’m going to be soaking her feet in a saltwater solution to be safe, among other things like keeping her area extra clean and making sure she doesn’t sit in her own urine/poop.

If you guys have ever used a saltwater soak, how many times a day do you think I should do it? And for how long should I keep the foot submerged each time? Also, what would be the ideal salt-to-water ratio?

Also, if anyone has ever dealt with something similar, please let me know. I’ve had many piggies since 2013 and this is one thing I’ve never had to deal with. The vet was very reassuring that it was a pressure sore and I shouldn’t expect it to get any worse but when I think of guinea pig feet sores, I think of bumblefoot.

My other thread was a bit different and moreso me just being scared, but I covered everything you guys needed to know in this one, and I’ll attach the picture of the pressure sore again in case anyone would like to see it before they respond.

Thanks guys!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Did the vet say to do a soak?
What you don’t want is the skin becoming too soft as that can let infection in and cause bumblefoot.
I’m just wondering if there is no infection, the skin is healthy etc whether there is any need to do anything other than keep the cage clean

 

[wheekly]

Did the vet say to do a soak?
What you don’t want is the skin becoming too soft as that can let infection in and cause bumblefoot.
I’m just wondering is there is no infection, the skin is healthy etc whether there is any need to do anything other than keep the cage clean

No, honestly, she just told me to keep an eye on it. I thought that a soak might help prevent it from being infected, but I didn’t think about the skin becoming soft. That’s a great point. Thank you- I’ll probably just keep the cage extra dry and clean then.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would definitely keep a very close eye and if it changes, begins to look sore, more open, red at all then see the vet again.

 

[wheekly]

I would definitely keep a very close eye and if it changes, begins to look sore, more open, red at all then see the vet again.

Thanks again! I will definitely keep an eye on it. Her foot isn’t hot to the touch or anything so I really do believe the vet about it being a pressure sore. Thankfully, her new dose of meloxicam has her moving around normally instead of putting so much focus on her front legs. Hopefully it goes away soon as I’m such a worrier and I love her

 

[piggieminder]

I would just keep the cage clean and dry. If you can get hold of some vet bed that would help. I used to use it for one of my old boys who didn't move around so much and always weed where he lay. His feet used to get sore. I cut vet bed into squares that filled the beds and corners where he laid (and weed! the most) which helped a lot. Vet bed locks the wet underneath, it needs an absorbent layer under it. I used to fold an newspaper to sit it on.

 

[wheekly]

I would just keep the cage clean and dry. If you can get hold of some vet bed that would help. I used to use it for one of my old boys who didn't move around so much and always weed where he lay. His feet used to get sore. I cut vet bed into squares that filled the beds and corners where he laid (and weed! the most) which helped a lot. Vet bed locks the wet underneath, it needs an absorbent layer under it. I used to fold an newspaper to sit it on.

This is actually a really great idea! Thank you so much!

 

[wheekly]

I would just keep the cage clean and dry. If you can get hold of some vet bed that would help. I used to use it for one of my old boys who didn't move around so much and always weed where he lay. His feet used to get sore. I cut vet bed into squares that filled the beds and corners where he laid (and weed! the most) which helped a lot. Vet bed locks the wet underneath, it needs an absorbent layer under it. I used to fold an newspaper to sit it on.

Is this the right one? I saw in past posts to look for the “green back” one and not the non-slip. There was a link to Zooplus France posted but I’m in the U.S.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes it looks to be the right one

 

[wheekly]

Yes it looks to be the right one

Thanks for the help!

 

[piggieminder]

Yes you may find it on ebay from a US seller which would reduce your postage.

 

[wheekly]

Yes you may find it on ebay from a US seller which would reduce your postage.

I was able to find that exact one on Amazon, sold by that brand and shipped from the UK. Thankfully I was able to get free shipping so it wasn’t very expensive Thank you again for the recommendation