My guinea pig's toe is open after nail trim. Does he need a vet?

Hello. Thank you for using PetCoach! The first thing I see is that Ella needs her nails trimmed desperately. If you don't know how to do it yourself you will need to get her to a vet so they can do it for you and teach you how. You can also find YouTube videos on how to do this. The second thing is that her foot is very red/irritated and it looks like she has fecal material stuck to it. I suspect she has a skin infection. This should not happen unless she is sitting in a dirty cage, has incorrect bedding and/or a cage with a wire bottom. I suggest you review your husbandry carefully to make sure you are doing everything correctly. The best bedding is Care Fresh. https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=care%20fresh%20pet%20bedding&typeahead=care%20fresh While you are waiting to take her to a vet, I suggest you soak her feet in a dilute betadine solution for 5 minutes twice a day. After soaking, dry the feet very well before putting her back into a clean cage. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-First-Aid-Antiseptic-Topical-Solution-8-Oz/10324543 Hope this helps. Best wishes.

This may be due to a nail bed infection, or a subungal (under the nail) bleeding due to the nail getting caught on something. It would be best to take Genna to a vet, so they can better evaluate this and help resolve it. Some of these cases require removal of the nail and she may need specific medication. For now, you can soak the foot in a little salt water for 15 minutes twice a day. This will help to draw out swelling and reduce infection. I hope that helps and Genna gets better soon.

I am so sorry that Marshmallow may be injured. Make sure he has soft bedding, but not too deep. Remove any climbing perches or obstacles ( if any ) that may make it difficult to maneuver around his enclosure. As long as he does not have any difficulty reaching his food

It could be the start of bumble foot. Be sure that his cage is softly bedded and he is not standing on hard surfaces. I just recommend you try this Vetericyn Spray Gel on the affected are a couple times per day until healed. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-wound-and-skin-hydrogel-for-pets

Check her foot for swelling or redness. She may have an infection (bumblefoot) which would account for the symptoms you are seeing. It happens when guinea pigs are kept on a wire bottom cage. Dirty bedding can also complicate it, especially if she develops a small wound on her foot. You don't necessarily need a vet that specializes in pocket pets. A local vet should be able to diagnose and dispense antibiotics. If this is not possible, try foot soaks in a dilute chlorhexidine or Betadine solution. You don't need much, just enough for her to stand. Soak daily, dry thoroughly and keep her on paper towels until she heals. Change bedding daily or more often if necessary.

Hello, Guinea pigs can develop pododermatitis, or infections on the bottom of the feet, from standing on hard or wire surfaces. It's difficult to tell from the picture if the feet are abnormal or not. Check all four feet on both of the pigs to check for swellings, flaking, or changes in color. These are signs they need to be seen by a vet. Guinea pigs are very skittish prey animals, and it can take some time to earn their trust. Avoid loud noises or sudden movements. Spending time near them and being still, such as when reading or watching tv, can help them get used to being around you. Here is an article on guinea pig behavior that may help you better understand their social needs: https://lafeber.com/vet/behavior-basics-guinea-pig/ I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thank you for the picture, it is very helpful. I am so sorry that this is happening to Fidget - that looks painful! This should not have happened with a bath alone, and it is possible that something was happening underneath the skin, and then it just became more clear or the skin sloughed when you gave him a bath. The area looks a bit red and painful, and due to this I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian. They can prescribe a pain medication for him, and may recommend antibiotics as well. Please don’t give Fidget any human medications, as many of these can be harmful to our guinea pig friends. Until he can be taken to a vet, please keep the area clean. If needed, you can replace his bedding with towels or fleece for a few days to help with this. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Fidget feels better soon!