Spurs
Spur.Some guinea pigs develop flaps of tough skin that protrude from their front feet. These spurs can be carefully removed with a nail clipper to prevent accidental tearing. Avoid clipping too closely and causing bleeding.
Development of spurs does not seem to be related to the type of bedding or flooring used. The author notes only one of her three pigs grew spurs while the other two never had them. All guinea pigs were kept on towels and/or heavy cotton cloth. Now 6 years old, Snowflake (a photo of her foot appears at the right) no longer grows spurs. A combination of genetics, activity level and husbandry may all contribute to their development.
V.C.G. Richardson calls these flaps corns and describes them as horny material between the toes on the underside of the foot, most commonly found on the forefeet. She recommends cleaning a trimmed foot with a dilute solution of povidone-iodine. She warns that poorly kept living quarters (abrasive bedding materials and/or a dirty floor) may lead to infection and the development of pododermatitis. Go Up
References:
Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs by V.C.G. Richardson (publisher Blackwell Science Ltd.)