[4410720461]

Hi all This is my first post on this website, so excuse any formatting issues. My hedgehog (Female, almost three years old) has a swollen back foot. I just checked today while giving her a bath. There was some hair but I removed all and rubbed it with some Neosporin. Unfortunately do not have the funds now to visit a vet. Although she does not seem to be licking it, whenever I touch it she flinches. Any help is appreciated

 

[Emc]

Are you sure you got every piece of hair off? There still looks to be hair wrapped around.
If that swelling does not go down within the next few hours, there is still hair strangling the foot. And if she will not let you touch it to remove the embedded hair, she will have to be gassed by a vet to remove the hair - or she will lose her foot.

I know times are hard for everyone, but many vets offer payment plans if it comes down to that. I’m not trying to scare you, but if it turns out that not all the hair was removed, that foot will become necrotic and infected and it could cause sepsis in your hog.

 

[4410720461]

It’s mostly gunk (as far as I could tell) I didnt know if it was necessary to remove and I didn’t wanna scrub her foot raw. It’s been a couple hours later and while the swelling hasn’t gone down her foot has become a normal color now

 

[4410720461]

The color now is completely normal although the swelling hasn’t gone down any. I made a epsom salt bath and rubbed some more Neosporin on it. She actually seems to be doing fine but I’m just a little concerned about keeping it clean. I have her in a temporary cage while it heals, and no wheel just to ensure no bacteria enters the wound. If anyone has any tips feel free to let me know

 

[Emc]

Usually with a foot injury like this, the injury has to be completely debrided. I can still see some hair in the photo, and the fact the foot is still swollen is worrisome. Once the the cause of the strangulation is removed, the swelling of the foot usually goes down very quickly (within a few hours, especially If it is a new injury vs old). Keeping the foot clean is very important also; no wheel, and diluted hibiscrub foot baths to disinfect the foot.

is there no way you can get to a vet at all? It wouldn’t be megabucks. This is a very common injury in Pygmy’s and only requires a quick gassing from the vet to debride the foot, ensure no hair is left embedded, and some antibiotics and pain killers and you’re on your way. This isn’t something that would cost into the hundreds (not here it wouldn’t anyway, it would be €100 max even with an exotic vet).

how is the foot looking now? Any more pictures?

most hogs will continue to act like everything is fine with an injury like this - so behaviour being normal wouldn’t reassure me the foot is okay. My Gus had a similar scare with his foot a few months ago, so I can speak from experience - we thought we got it all, but we didn’t. And yet he acted like everything was just fine (his paw wasn’t even sensitive and he would let us touch it and everything). Luckily the vet saw that when he gassed up, and once he removed the bit of embedded hair, his foot basically looked normal within 24-48 hours.

 

[4410720461]

So today I spent hours and hours trying to get every hair off, but I’m worried since it’s in the skin sort of. Luckily my stepdad was a vet so he’s been helping me through it but I’m still concerned. It’s not purple anymore but is more deepish red. I will give her another bath tomorrow and try to soak it all off cause I can’t get it off just by cutting it. [image of foot]

 

[Emc]

I’d be willing to bet that that foot is still being strangled due to the swelling and colour of it still.

have you tried putting your hog in a warm foot bath for a while; this loosens hair. While in the foot bath, it’s often also easier to pull the foot back and if you have one, the nail clippers with the swing out nail file/cleaner work great for wedging under tightly wrapped fur just enough to be able to pull it and snap it. Some folk have also used thread strippers/rippers for the same purpose.

if you can’t get it, I cannot advise A vet Enough - again, many do offer payment plans

 

[4410720461]

We took her to the vet Thank you for all the help

 

[Kalandra]

Was there anything still strangling the foot? If not, what did he say was going on?

 

[4410720461]

It was a very VERY thin piece of hair the same color as her fur I would’ve never got it. The swelling has gone down completely though and she’s doing amazing

 

[Kalandra]

Excellent, and thanks for the answer. Its always good to hear what the resolution was, it helps us help others later .

 

[Emc]

So happy to hear you got it sorted! Well done