Please help! - Strange extra toe

[Tom and jerry Guinea pig lovers]

Hello I recently just got a rescue Guinea pig today and he has this odd thing on his paw I don’t know if it’s normal or not I am a little new to owning piggies, it looks as if there’s a nail growing from it and it’s only barely hanging on can anyone help?

 

[Engel]

Is this on the hind foot? Looks like polydactyly. Have you spoken to the rescue? I'm sure someone with more experience will be here soon to help.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello I recently just got a rescue Guinea pig today and he has this odd thing on his paw I don’t know if it’s normal or not I am a little new to owning piggies, it looks as if there’s a nail growing from it and it’s only barely hanging on can anyone help?

Hi and welcome!

This is a genetic condition that is called 'polydactyly' ('many toes') and describes the extra toe on the back feet that a few guinea pigs can have; it is not common but also not all that rare, either.
Extra toes on the front paws as well are much rarer and usually a sign of really bad inbreeding.

Please see a vet for safe removal; it is a very simple procedure since most extra toes are only attached by skin but it should be done correctly to avoid infection in those piggies where the extra toe is only very loosely attached and could catch and rip. It does not hinder his mobility in any way as it is, though. The degree to which the toe is developed and attached to the foot varies quite a bit.

 

[Tom and jerry Guinea pig lovers]

Hi and welcome!

This is a genetic condition that is called 'polydactyly' ('many toes') and describes the extra toe on the back feet that a few guinea pigs can have; it is not common but also not all that rare. Extra toes on the front paws as well are much rarer and usually a sign of bad inbreeding.

Please see a vet for safe removal; it is a very simple procedure since the toes is only attached by skin but should be done correctly to avoid infection in those piggies where the extra toe is only very loosely attached and could catch and rip. It does not hinder his mobility in any way as it is, though.

Thank you so much I will get him to a vet

 

[Freela]

It looks like an extra toe... polydactyly is a genetic condition that happens in a lot of animals (including humans!) The main risk is that the extra toes are often awkwardly placed and can catch on things and tear... generally removing them is safer and is a pretty easy procedure. Hope this helps!

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome. I had a piggy with this and my vet advised leaving it alone unless it caused any issues.

 

[VickiA]

I think it depends where on the foot it is, how well developed it is, and how likely it is to get caught or cause damage as to whether the vet will remove it. But in the main, vets recommend removal to prevent injury.

 

[Flutterby]

I've had a few piggies with extra toes, thankfully never had to have any of them removed and they've never causes a problem, but it does depend on the piggy!