Guinea pig with swollen foot pad

[GeorgianMumto5]

One of my guinea pigs has a swollen foot, on the pad. I took him to the vet, who diagnosed, 'slightly swollen foot,' prescribed me 5 days of antibiotics and 5 days of an antiinflammatory for cats. She also said I should go back in 5 days. The cost of that one consultation was about a week's earnings for me. There is no way I can go back and pay more.

I rarely take guinea pigs to the vet, having seen how distressing it is for the piggy and how it seldom does any good, but I was concerned it might be bumblefoot, which would yet worse and cause dgp pain. DGP is over 4 and generally in fair healthy for his age. He's a funny old stick, but I do love him. Can anyone advise me on what more I can try if the antib's and antiinflammatories don't work? Thanks

Oh, GPS live indoors. He has a hutchmate.

in fair health...

Is there any open area Georgian could he have a hay shard in his foot/paw. (I've had the tiniest splinters of hay or thistle in my finger and it was incredibly painful. And your guinea unfortunately can't tell you)

Bumblefoot is often caused by dirty bedding. Or uneven flooring (like when you see a guinea on a mesh base run)
Dos he tend to sit in a manky area (I know they are manky animals, I know)

In the interim, bathe his foot in a warm strong salty water (how you are going to persuade him to dangle his leg in a cup of salt water is another issue )

Long nails can cause them to walk on their heels and cause fractures of their tiny bones.

Thanks 70. I'll check for splinters and bathe his foot, as suggested. No uneven floor, but a big yes to manky. Even by guinea pig standards, that boy is skankier than skank; always has been. He mainly piddles and sits in it. Obviously I clean up, but not at the rate he dirties the place - it is humnanly impossible. His nails are kept trim.

I can't add anything to 70's good advice but didn't want to read and leave.

I hope your piggy feels comfortable soon. Sending healing vibes

Thanks. Just about to peer at his feet and wish I'd gone for varifocals.

Poor boy. Can only echo what 70 said and send him (and you) good wishes.

skankier than skank

My GP1 did a huge pee (like he always does) on the freshly cleaned pigpen in the bedroom.
GP3 walked through it (like HE always does)

GP2 used to do the exact same with GP1 fresh pee.

Why? Do they have some strange primal urge to make themselves smell like GP1?

Durty Beasts

I would go on the gorgeous guineas website.. They do a fab range of organic products and the lady seems to know her stuff. I sent her a picture of a bald flaky patch on my gp and the cream she recommended worked a treat - god knows how much that saved me at the vets.

Plus i hate taking the pigs to the vet for them to be treated with dog/ cat medicine! Its like they dont know how to treat them! Hope gp feels better soon. Xxx

plum 100, I totally agree! Thanks. I'll try that web site.

Have looked at his foot. It is still swollen and looks bruised. I couldn't see any signs of a wound or puncture. I bathed it in warm salt water (he was surprisingly up for that). Am about to clean the cage, again.

On another note, should a guinea's bum look like a loaded nerf gun? He had poos side by side and queuing up to go. He's always had a bit of as pop-gun approach to pooping, but this didn't look right and he smells exactly of horse, in that area. Wiped his bum for him and he looks and smells better. Should he not be doing one poop at a time and lined up, not side by side? Honestly, there were three there at one point.

Am not cavy poo troll, honest; just concerned about dgp's health.

Are they 'proper' guinea-pig poohs (like long, well shaped lozenges ).

Bear in mind if your boy is 4+ he'll be getting a bit saggy arsed

So though his guts are churning out the droppings, his rectal muscles might be a bit slow to propel them?

My 3.3yo male always has the most magnificent fecal output.
His brother (who died in July) did normal guinea poohs and about once a week, a Fererro Rocher sized dump. But he wasn't impacted because he eased these out no problem

I took one to show the vet (on the day my GP died) and he said he'd "never seen one that that" and I'm sure he saw my pig with respect and admiration - as he slipped the thermometer up his bottom

My DD is very interested in the guinea-pigs pooh BTW.
GP3 (our 7 month old ) sat on my lap just tumbling droppings out of his bottom and onto my legs
DD was most impressed.

@ loaded nerf gun

Oh my that brought back memories Yes I'm afraid our older gentlemen pigs bum muscles do go a bit slack. My Old Boy RIP often had a bum that looked just how you described. In fact I think that is worthy of being added to the unofficial SFA list common phrases

Watch out for impaction - when your boar has a massive lump of poo he can't pass. That requires latex gloves, a strong stomach for the smell and holding your piggy over the toilet. Your boar will give you a very pop eyed look during this procedure but will runaway like a piglet again afterwards

at 'saggy arsed'. I've always dreaded impaction. Yet to face it.

Well, the boy is much as he was. I was nearly sick after googling bumblefoot. Don't make me go back there; can it be bumblefoot if there are no sores, just swelling?

If I need a name change, I'm going with NeverGoogleBumblefoot or maybe ArseLikeaNerfGun.