The flooring of the enclosure must be changed and overall sanitation must be improved. A veterinarian must be consulted regarding treatment of the affected feet. Topical dressing with an antibiotic and periodic bandaging are necessary during the usually lengthy recovery period. Injectable antibiotics are often used by veterinarians in treatment of this condition. Arthritis is a frequent and unfortunate consequences of these infections.
Bacterial invasion causes painful, swollen abscesses under the lower jaw.
Sometimes these abscesses break open and exude a thick, creamy yellow-white pus. A veterinarian can perform a bacterial culture of the pus with antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the appropriate antibiotic to use. If the abscesses are large, surgical removal and aggressive antibiotic therapy may be recommended. A number of potential disease-causing bacteria may inhabit the respiratory tracts of otherwise normal guinea pigs. Stress, inadequate diet, and improper home care often predispose pet guinea pig to respiratory infection.