Possible amputation - HELP

cocobello

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:26 pm


Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum even though I have referenced it since the addition of our guinea pig almost 3 years ago. Coco is a healthy male (or was until this past Friday) - My daughter who is the primary caretaker (wink wink - she is 14 so I think we all know who the true caretaker is), noticed coco's back left foot was looking strange (I was at work and she sent me a photo) - this literally happened overnight.

The first picture is of Friday night. I cleaned the wound with saline and dried it and the next day it seemed like it was healing. On Sunday, she was out for the day and I went to check on the piggie and his leg did not look good - but the worst part (and what co concerned me the most) was the smell...

. it was coming from his mouth, but I immediately knew that it was coming from his foot and that he had been chewing. Of course this not only happens on the weekend, but a holiday weekend! So I went to our local 24 hour vet - the vet on call (who wasn't the small pet specialist), but said based on a number of things, (toenail area cool to the touch, the appearance but not conclusive) she suggested amputating (? How does this happen in 2 days??) she said it look like something must have cut off the blood supply (although nothing was found on the foot and there was nothing specific except for maybe that his tornail got caught up in a blanket and pulled it (I just can't believe this would cause such a disaster)

... Because nothing could be done yesterday (Sunday) evening anyway because they did. It being in the specialist for emergency guinea pig amputation - I asked what I could do in the meantime (antibiotics etc that might help in the case that the conclusion wasn't the correct one) - the person I was speaking with didn't seem 100% positive when she was discussing that as pretty much the only option).

5 hours after arriving, they had cleaned his foot a bit, dried it and put a wrapping on it and fit him with a cone that had to be tied around his waist (that lasted all of about 2-3 hours) - they gave trimethoprim sulfa and Meloxicam and told me to visit my primary vet in the morning.

Coco has actually never been to the vet and so the exotic pet specialist (whom I tried getting in touch with Friday and Sunday) wasn't due back until today but had a full day of surgery and the first available appt is for Wednesday a.m. - the office did give me a call after speaking with the vet in the case she was able to see me in between surgeries today but her schedule was too full, but said that the meds should hold up until she is able to see him Wednesday and that they opened up time on Thursday for surgery if she felt necessary.

In the meantime we have been watching him during all waking hours to be sure he doesn't chew on his foot! We are just devastated - and the foot really does look horrible - but as far as cold to the touch, I didn't feel anything but warmth (but then again, I am not a professional). I am just here for some support, possible advice etc -

1st pic (Friday eve)
2nd & 3rd pic (today)

And of course I can't figure out how to insert the photos - it just inserts the term Image

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:37 pm


Please break up your post into multiple paragraphs with a line of space between for readability.

I broke it up for you because it was impossible to read. Now I have to go back and read.

You can email crisp, clear medical photos to me:
Image

cocobello

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:40 pm


Hi there,

Sorry - I wasn't paying attention and didn't realize how long the message was... sending pics now - thank you!

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:43 pm


Guinea pigs will sometimes chew on foot that has lost feeling.

Look over the bandaging page:
www.guinealynx.info/bandaging.html

Soaking the foot in Epsom salts may help.
Read the warnings about the danger of getting the salts in the eyes:
www.guinealynx.info/pododermatitis.html

A properly applied bandage may prevent him from chewing on the foot. I think the emergency vet was trying to set up a soft collar to prevent this. Maybe you can put it back on.

cocobello

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:49 pm


I am aware of that now (chewing) - I wish I had known that Friday :(

I think we are going to have to get a little more creative with the bandaging because he has already figured out how to get that off fast, as well as the cone :( - he is a smart little bugger!

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:55 pm


I have your photos. Bandaging is important. So he removed the skin from the foot? This can look awful but new skin will form if you can protect it. You can also check out other solutions for soaking. Perhaps hold off on the Epsom salts for now.
www.guinealynx.info/antiseptic_solutions.html

The last photo is worrisome and I don't quite understand what I am seeing.









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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:58 pm


I'm wondering if the brown lump (pododermatitis? an injury? ??) may have been the trigger to make him bite at his foot. Normally a pig will not self mutilate if they can feel pain in the extremity.

Tell us what bandaging supplies you have and what the vet instructed you to do. I would not give up on the foot yet.

cocobello

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:15 pm


The last photo was of the bottom of the problem foot (this wasn't an issue on Friday).

I have some rolled gauze and some of the red tape from the vet.

Instructions today were continuing the anti-inflammatory and the antibiotics and keeping him from biting it. I just re-wrapped his leg but I don't expect it will stay long.

We bring him for pee pee trips to his cage (he actually goes potty when we ask him to) and I don't want to leave him unattended so we watch over so he can drink from his bottle and eat (but we also have a doggie bed with towels that he is currently staying on in my daughters bed so that she can keep a watchful eye). I don't know how I am going to get through tomorrow....

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:23 pm


Please read the directions on the bandaging page. I also suggest you get several Telfa pads (sterile, non-stick pads - like what is on the non-adhesive part of a bandage). The foot may "weep" and in so doing, the gauze can adhere to it, making it difficult and painful to remove and preventing proper healing. So read the directions. Note the non-stretchy tape over the Vetwrap to keep it from slipping off. DO NOT APPLY VETWRAP TIGHTLY. You can cut off circulation. The Vetwrap should not come in contact with the foot/hair. The gauze absorbs moisture. Excess moisture under the bandage can cause all kinds of new problems.

Read it over.
www.guinealynx.info/bandaging.html

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:06 pm


I can't quite figure out that last photo, either. I can see that it's the bottom of the foot, but is that exposed bone that we're seeing?

cocobello

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:26 pm


Exposed bone? Are you referring to the top near the nails or the bottom?

I will reread bandaging tips.... thank you

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:26 pm


I believe the dermis has been completely bitten off (dermis - pink part). The inside of the foot is whitish. I worry about that. Dead flesh?

My guinea pig bit at the skin of the foot too. Still confused about the brown lump.

https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... 018#p98018
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... 722#p99722

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