Degu with red and somewhat swollen toe!

[robbob]

Hey, I am in need of some advice for what has happened with one of my degus!
I was having some play time with one of my degus (not much older than 6 months) and just noticed something very off with one of his front paws. It looks like something has happened to one of his toes/claws. It's gotten red and looks a bit swollen. I've watched him avoid using that particular toe when climbing in his cage, so it is probably at least somewhat painful. I've tried to get a picture to show it, but it's not too easy to get a good one. Any ideas what this might be? I'd be very happy for any help at all!

EDIT: I will obviously take him to the vet tomorrow when it opens, as it's closed on Sundays.

[Deleted]

Hello, I wouldn't personally rush him to the vet yet without answering some questions.

It's probably been bitten, or caught on something.

I would take the degu to the vet if: the area is hot to touch and swollen (indicates infection). We already know it's painful, but that could just be pain from the injury itself.

Is there a bite wound, any actual cuts or open wounds? If not, the chances of infection are a lot lower.

He may have just caught it, or sprained it and it's swelled a little.

Mine have had their toes and feet bitten etc and as long as there was no sign of infection I didn't go to the vet. They didn't use the foot or toe for a week or so whilst it healed and then they were fine.

Do you have a snuggle safe (amazon sell them, they're fab) or something like that you can heat up and put in the cage? It will make the guy feel a little better as he can rest on something warm.

[robbob]

Thanks a lot for answering so quickly!
I'm thinking he might have hurt it while climbing in his cage. The toe is not hot to the touch and I can't find any cuts, open wounds or anything of the sorts.
I actually DO have a snuggle safe and I started heating it up right this second. Thanks again for helping me keep calm. I'll keep close attention to his toe and see how well it improves over the next week or so!

[savvy]

Toes are probably the most common area for injuries.

As has been said, keep him warm with a snugglesafe to encourage him to rest it, you may find him nibbling or over grooming the toe for a few days, it's perfectly normal he's just doing his own version of first aid.

It looks to me as if he has sprained it as it's on a joint, not at the end of the toe. Keep checking the toe to feel for heat etc, but it should settle down in a few days.