Keratin horm

[T&A]

Hi,
My guinea pig has a keratin horn on his front paw, it doesn’t see to cause his problems but it’s growing. The vet told me you can only remove them via surgery but I thought you could cut them? Is this true?

 

[Swissgreys]

Hi,
My guinea pig has a keratin horn on his front paw, it doesn’t see to cause his problems but it’s growing. The vet told me you can only remove them via surgery but I thought you could cut them? Is this true?

If you vet has seen you piggy and made a proper diagnosis then you would be best to follow his advice.
If it does require surgery it is probably quite short and low risk, so maybe you should discuss this further with him if you have any concerns.

 

[Free Ranger]

A lot of people on here won't even cut nails for fear of going a bit too far or of piggy twitching and a mistake being made. I cut nails (sooooo carefully!) but I wouldn't risk it just in case something goes wrong. If the vet thought it was as simple as cutting nails he probably wouldn't have said anything about surgery! But then (s)he might have been talking about complete removal so it wouldn't grow back - perhaps (s)he might be able to trim it a little without anaesthetic.

The forum does have a bit about this Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
This is the foot section - I think you should perhaps keep an eye on that spur for now because any interference is always going to be a risk. I've had pigs with mild bumblefoot and it really is a cow to get rid of... one of my older girls never did shift it completely.
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Feet:
The soles of the feet should be smooth.

It is not uncommon for hard skin growths to develop on the sides of the front paw pads; they are called spurs. They should only be clipped off - but not too close to the skin where the spur is still live, could bleed and really cripple a piggy - if a spur is growing out sideaways and is at risk of catching and ripping. mostly spurs don't seem to bother the piggies and can be left. If necessary, ask a vet or nurse to remove bad spurs for you.

Soles can be overall pink when your piggy is feeling feeling warm, but any localised redness can be a sign for a beginning soreness/infection - the feet should not look both the same. Please see a vet if the soles of the feet are very red/have very red spots, are swollen or have open sores. Bumblefoot (pododermatitis) is more common in older guinea pigs with diminished mobility and a less effective blood circulation or in those that are kept on an unsuitable rough or uncleaned surface so bug can get in.

 

[T&A]

Ok thank you! My guinea pigs spur is growing outwards and upwards but doesn’t seem to be causing harm.