I just cut my guinea pigs quick

[mocha_caramel]

I was cutting his nails just like I always do and I was on the last nail. I cut it way too short because he wiggled at the worst time. I could tell he got hurt and I looked at his nail and saw blood. I had him for about 2 years and never saw his blood before. Needless to say, I am freaked out. From what I heard you are supposed to put flour on the nail and should stop bleeding in a few minutes. It looks as if the bleeding has stopped and there is just a huge clot of dried-up blood (most likely because of the flour) I feel terrible and wonder if there is something I should do or do wrong. If you see this and give some needed advice, I would be forever in your debt.

 

[Wiebke]

I was cutting his nails just like I always do and I was on the last nail. I cut it way too short because he wiggled at the worst time. I could tell he got hurt and I looked at his nail and saw blood. I had him for about 2 years and never saw his blood before. Needless to say, I am freaked out. From what I heard you are supposed to put flour on the nail and should stop bleeding in a few minutes. It looks as if the bleeding has stopped and there is just a huge clot of dried-up blood (most likely because of the flour) I feel terrible and wonder if there is something I should do or do wrong. If you see this and give some needed advice, I would be forever in your debt.

Please try to stench the flow blood first and foremost; if the nick is minor, it will stop bleeding very quickly on it owns. See a vet asap if the bleeding is not stopping within 10-15 minutes.

If you can, please put a fresh fleece and cosies in the cage to keep the surface as clean as possible while the wound is closing.
Give it wash with a mild disinfectant once the bleeding has fully stopped. You can make your own saline solution at home if necessary by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 pint or 250 ml of boiled cooled water in a pinch.

See a vet if the toe or foot is showing signs of infection (swelling, redness and being noticeably warmer to the touch than the opposite number), but in all likelihood it won't be a problem and your piggy will just feel a little sorry for itself today but be back to normal by tomorrow.

 

[mocha_caramel]

Please try to stench the flow blood first and foremost; if the nick is minor, it will stop bleeding very quickly on it owns. See a vet asap if the bleeding is not stopping within 10-15 minutes.

If you can, please put a fresh fleece and cosies in the cage to keep the surface as clean as possible while the wound is closing.
Give it wash with a mild disinfectant once the bleeding has fully stopped. You can make your own saline solution at home if necessary by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 pint or 250 ml of boiled cooled water in a pinch.

See a vet if the toe or foot is showing signs of infection (swelling, redness and being noticeably warmer to the touch than the opposite number), but in all likelihood it won't be a problem and your piggy will just feel a little sorry for itself today but be back to normal by tomorrow.

I appreciate your response. I use bedding however and not a fleece cozy. Would it be necessary to prevent any possible infections? I just cleaned his cage before the incident.

 

[Wiebke]

I appreciate your response. I use bedding however and not a fleece cozy. Would it be necessary to prevent any possible infections? I just cleaned his cage before the incident.

If the cage is freshly cleaned, then it is not an issue. You just want to minimise the risk of poos or any debris getting stuck befor the cut closes in order to minimise any risk of infection. I have never had any infection problems, not even in the cases whether piggies of mine accidentally ripped off a whole nail and damaged the quick.

 

[Claire W]

Try not to worry. We’ve all done it x