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Advice requested re: Piggie injury :(

SteelyDaniel

SteelyDaniel

New Born Pup
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After their home was being cleaned, one of our piggies (female, 6) jumped out of my hands and landed on the floor badly from about 2ft up. I was holding her with both hands, pressed against my chest, getting plenty of fuss, but jumped out suddently as I was placing her back into her home - I tried desperately to catch her, but wasn't able to reach her in time :(

She was dazed at first, but after carefully checking her over, she appears to lost the use of her legs. I am always careful around our little friends and so I'm devastated and feel so guilty I couldnt catch her. We've been told to give it a few days to see if she regains use of her legs as it may be due to heavy bruising as bowel and bladder function is normal and gently stroking her feet sometimes produces a response.

She is eating hay, veggies and nuggets and is drinking well (needs some assistance with water for the time being), she's being washed daily (and whenever necessary) and enjoying plenty of fuss and attention and appears happy with chutting and happy wheeking when being fed or being fussed. She doesn't appear to be in any pain and is interacting with her sister (who is looking after her) but I want to give her the chance to regain her mobility and independance if she's in it for the long term.

I don't want her to drag herself around the cage and risk sores, etc. so I'm looking to find, hopefully temporarily, a wheelchair type device for her. Does anyone know where I can obtain a wheelchair for a piggie? I've got some ideas how to make one if necessary, but I think it would be quicker to buy one.

If our little girl's prognosis is long-term, has anyone got any advice in how in how best to look after a disabled piggie? For the time being, she is kept clean, fed well (but not too well) and is given a lot of love and attention, but I'm open to any advice anyone can offer.. perhaps more helpful than the first piece of advice I received, which was basically to have her put down immediately :(

Thanks, Dan
 
I’m sorry this has happened. I hope she will be ok

Has she had a hands on check by a vet? Piggies hide their pain and after a fall which has resulted in the loss of use of her legs, then I would expect a vet to at least give pain relief and carry out an x ray.

I would weigh her daily so you can be certain she is still eating enough hay to maintain her weight.

Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
 
I’m sorry you had the accident with her. They can be really jumpy. First thing is you shouldn’t be washing her daily (or too often). It strips her of the healthy oils in her skin.

Secondly I would get her checked over by the vet. You won’t know if there was any internal damage. I would also consider weighing her once daily just for the next week or so.

Thirdly, there is no wheelchair device for piggies. If they have permanent damage that leads to loss of back leg use, they adapt to it. Hope she’s okay.
 
I’m so sorry for the accident. Accidents happen unfortunately. I hope she was seen by a vet. Painkillers would be a must and an X-ray to see what she has damaged. Good luck. Keep us posted. 🤞
 
SteelyDaniel said:
After their home was being cleaned, one of our piggies (female, 6) jumped out of my hands and landed on the floor badly from about 2ft up. I was holding her with both hands, pressed against my chest, getting plenty of fuss, but jumped out suddently as I was placing her back into her home - I tried desperately to catch her, but wasn't able to reach her in time :(

She was dazed at first, but after carefully checking her over, she appears to lost the use of her legs. I am always careful around our little friends and so I'm devastated and feel so guilty I couldnt catch her. We've been told to give it a few days to see if she regains use of her legs as it may be due to heavy bruising as bowel and bladder function is normal and gently stroking her feet sometimes produces a response.

She is eating hay, veggies and nuggets and is drinking well (needs some assistance with water for the time being), she's being washed daily (and whenever necessary) and enjoying plenty of fuss and attention and appears happy with chutting and happy wheeking when being fed or being fussed. She doesn't appear to be in any pain and is interacting with her sister (who is looking after her) but I want to give her the chance to regain her mobility and independance if she's in it for the long term.

I don't want her to drag herself around the cage and risk sores, etc. so I'm looking to find, hopefully temporarily, a wheelchair type device for her. Does anyone know where I can obtain a wheelchair for a piggie? I've got some ideas how to make one if necessary, but I think it would be quicker to buy one.

If our little girl's prognosis is long-term, has anyone got any advice in how in how best to look after a disabled piggie? For the time being, she is kept clean, fed well (but not too well) and is given a lot of love and attention, but I'm open to any advice anyone can offer.. perhaps more helpful than the first piece of advice I received, which was basically to have her put down immediately :(

Thanks, Dan
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Hi and welcome

Has your piggy had a vet check and x-ray re. a spine injury? Paralysis can develop up to two days after a fall.
She may also need painkillers.
If you have outdoors guinea pigs, please bring them inside.

If not, then please book her in asap. We cannot tell you what is going on sight unseen and without a hands-on vet check. Only a vet can answer your questions.

Please check the weight daily and step in with syringe feeding support if needed. Make sure that hay (makes 80% of the daily food intake) and water are close by and can be reached without the need to life the head.

Please take the time to read these guides here. You will find them very helpful with lots of practical tips and information:
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely
Weight - Monitoring and Management

How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
 
I'm sorry your piggy is injured, a vet check and xrays are really essential to find out where the damage is and how bad it is and to get some pain relief. Piggies really cannot use wheelchiars at all, this would be very stressful and also prevent them reaching their bottoms to eat caecotrophs. However sometines paralysis can be temporary, if the spine is only bruised and affected by inflammation- this is why a correct diagnosis and prompt anti inflammatory medication and pain relief are essential, early treatment can mean a better outcome.
Many piggies do ok with limited mobility, please read the excellent guides linked in above and make sure you have a proper diagnosis and are getting good vet care.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts. Sorry for the delay in replying, we took Beana to the vets, who advised that she had damaged her spine :( She said that while she 'appears' comfortable and happy, there were signs that she was in pain when she was touched in certain places and that the prognosis wasn't good. In the end, we agreed that she be put to sleep. Guilt doesn't come close to how I feel. The vet suggested that it was the best course of action and while I wished we could have taken her home, we felt it was the right thing to do, couldn't have her suffer at all. I buried her in our garden the next day.. our other guinea pig (also female, 6) is okay but unfortunately has developed a large ball type growth between her leg and chest, so we'll be going back to vets on Tuesday :(
 
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope your piggy gets on ok at the vets tomorrow. Take care. ❤️
 
BIG HUGS

You have made the right decision and have not failed your girl. Accidents can happen to anybody; by their very nature, they are unforeseeable and therefore unpreventable. What counts is how you deal with them and that you put your piggy's wellbeing first before your own wishes and fears. You have done that, as any good owner would.

The best you can do in order to deal with the inevitable guilt and regrets that we would all have - or have had - in these kinds of situations is to see them as a life lesson. Take on board what you can change constructively to prevent a repeat. Life is not about never putting a foot wrong; life is all about how you get up and go on from there, and trying to not repeat the same mistakes over and over. Use your regret as a spur to learn and to do better next time round. It will ultimately make you a better owner and an emotionally more mature person.
Some lessons you cannot learn from a textbook; you have to take those on the chin. A lot of my own experience over the years has come the hard way. There are regrets I will always carry with me. But I also know that by using them to do better, I have ultimately done more good than without them. Both in terms of being a much more understanding person and a better pet owner.

My fingers are very firmly crossed for your other old lady!
 
I’m so sorry you had to have Bean PTS but you have given her the last act of kindness. please don’t feel guilty, these accidents can happen to anyone of us, you were just very unfortunate x
Hope you find out what’s wrong with your other little piggie and it’s nothing serious
 
So very sorry that you has to give Bean that last gift of love.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hope all goes well at the vet with your other piggy.
What a time of it you’re having - holding you in my heart ♥️
 
weepweeps said:
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope your piggy gets on ok at the vets tomorrow. Take care. ❤️
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Thank you everyone so much for your kind and supportive messages.

Sadly, I had to work yesterday (work 14hr days) and I'm just sorting out registration for the PDSA for Poppy to be checked over, hopefully tomorrow.

The lump has been getting a little larger over the past few months. When we last took her to the vets, the vet said that it feels like a benign skin tumour and nothing to be concerned with at that stage, we kept an eye on it, but over the past few weeks, she has lost a lot of weight.

After Beana died, Poppy seemed quite withdrawn so we decided to adopt another a 6 year old female piggie from a nearby guinea pig rescue centre, who was also called Poppy (but we named her Flower, due to her colouring and similarity to the skunk from Bambi!). She's an affectionate and happy piggie who apparently was left with the rescue centre after her sister died and "they didn't want to go through the heartbreak of losing another piggie" and so we found her and brought her to a loving home, which has made both piggies happy. After they sorted out who was the matriarch in the pack, they both get on and Poppy, at least in her behaviour, seems to have perked up a lot.

Flower was in a sad state though, her front claws didn't appear to have been cut for a long time and so rather than than them facing forward, they were twisted to the side when she walked, which must have hurt :( On top of that, her coat was dirty, matted in places and she smelled bad. I didn't see her until I came back from work after midnight, which is probably a good thing as I think if had of gone to see her at the rescue centre, I would have probably made a scene. Her nails have been trimmed, she had a good bath and grooming session and she looks, feels and sounds a lot better. Raised complaint with the rescue centre - as we basically rescued her from a rescue centre - but they advised that she had only been there a few days! Still she's happy now..

Thanks again everyone :)
 
Merab's Slave said:
So very sorry that you has to give Bean that last gift of love.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hope all goes well at the vet with your other piggy.
What a time of it you’re having - holding you in my heart ♥️
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Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

You have made the right decision and have not failed your girl. Accidents can happen to anybody; by their very nature, they are unforeseeable and therefore unpreventable. What counts is how you deal with them and that you put your piggy's wellbeing first before your own wishes and fears. You have done that, as any good owner would.

The best you can do in order to deal with the inevitable guilt and regrets that we would all have - or have had - in these kinds of situations is to see them as a life lesson. Take on board what you can change constructively to prevent a repeat. Life is not about never putting a foot wrong; life is all about how you get up and go on from there, and trying to not repeat the same mistakes over and over. Use your regret as a spur to learn and to do better next time round. It will ultimately make you a better owner and an emotionally more mature person.
Some lessons you cannot learn from a textbook; you have to take those on the chin. A lot of my own experience over the years has come the hard way. There are regrets I will always carry with me. But I also know that by using them to do better, I have ultimately done more good than without them. Both in terms of being a much more understanding person and a better pet owner.

My fingers are very firmly crossed for your other old lady!
Click to expand...
Some fine advice for life in general there. Having been through hell and back in my personal life over the years with one thing or another, the old adage 'what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger' rings true as long as you learn from mistakes made and always try to improve yourself and your relationships. Cutting out parts of your life (people, jobs, etc.) that makes you unhappy helps too, but that isn't always possible. Always questioning yourself, your beliefs, your decisions and opinions helps too. I'm 46 and I'm very much still a work in progress.. and I'm fine with that :)
 
SteelyDaniel said:
Some fine advice for life in general there. Having been through hell and back in my personal life over the years with one thing or another, the old adage 'what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger' rings true as long as you learn from mistakes made and always try to improve yourself and your relationships. Cutting out parts of your life (people, jobs, etc.) that makes you unhappy helps too, but that isn't always possible. Always questioning yourself, your beliefs, your decisions and opinions helps too. I'm 46 and I'm very much still a work in progress.. and I'm fine with that :)
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We’re all a work in progress!
I do like that description :D
Being a bit over 46 I know I’m still learning and growing all the time.
 
Poppy is thankfully still with us.. the vet advised that she may have kidney problems, which may explain the weigh loss, but as she is 6, going on 7, suggested that it's normal for her age. He suggested that the lump (about the size of a marble) is more likely a cyst, but again, considering her age, thought it's best to leave it alone rather than poke, prod and test her and cause any distress. She only weights around 630g, she's eating her nuggets, celery and carrot, think we're going to mix things up and give her combination of kale, lettuce (Romaine), cucuumber and maybe some oats. She's happy enough in herself though :)

IMG_8252.webpIMG_8251.webpIMG_8253.webp
 
Poppy is clearly a well-loved, very striking lady! :love:

Just enjoy what time you have left with her; she is a great age and a testament to your good care.

Sadly, old age is when the much faster metabolism of guinea pigs turns against them and the aging process is kind of speeded up. Kidneys are one of the more common organs to fail in older piggies in my own experience. Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can really do about it. :(
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your piggy. Accidents happen and it sucks. It's lovely that you are able to open your heart for another piggie in need so soon. Flower is so lucky to have you
 
Merab's Slave said:
She is in the best hands with you.
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Aw, thanks. We try our best :) Similar to the countless bits of advice when you're having children, the advice we received when first adopting our piggies was mixed. Some would swear by hemp bedding, some suggested wood chippings, now we're onto lined fleece bedding (expensive but easier to replace and clean regularly). We're still learning though - for example, we never knew that piggies like oats! :o Whats nice though is the folks on here who clearly love their cavvies, who are happy to help and support other people with their piggies, which I'm externally grateful for :)
 
Engel said:
I'm so sorry to hear about your piggy. Accidents happen and it sucks. It's lovely that you are able to open your heart for another piggie in need so soon. Flower is so lucky to have you
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To be honest, I wasn't sure about adopting another piggie so soon, it kind of felt wrong with Beana passing away only a week or so before, but in hindsight, I'm glad we did, even if just to give Flower a better home.

To be fair though, am I being unreasonable to think that upon receiving a piggie at the rescue centre, they would wash and trim their nails? Flower's nails were so long on the front legs that the nails were bent sideways and she smelt really bad, as if she hadn't been washed in weeks. When we washed her, some of the fur was so matted that it came away after being washed. Thankfully the nails have since been trimmed and she's had a good wash, just can't believe her previous owners left her at the rescue centre, because they couldn't cope with the thought of her dying, after her sister passed away. :(
 
Wiebke said:
Poppy is clearly a well-loved, very striking lady! :love:

Just enjoy what time you have left with her; she is a great age and a testament to your good care.

Sadly, old age is when the much faster metabolism of guinea pigs turns against them and the aging process is kind of speeded up. Kidneys are one of the more common organs to fail in older piggies in my own experience. Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can really do about it. :(
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Feisty, but fun and loving is our Poppy :) We'll just treat her like the queen she is, with plenty of fuss, love and attention ;)
 
SteelyDaniel said:
To be honest, I wasn't sure about adopting another piggie so soon, it kind of felt wrong with Beana passing away only a week or so before, but in hindsight, I'm glad we did, even if just to give Flower a better home.

To be fair though, am I being unreasonable to think that upon receiving a piggie at the rescue centre, they would wash and trim their nails? Flower's nails were so long on the front legs that the nails were bent sideways and she smelt really bad, as if she hadn't been washed in weeks. When we washed her, some of the fur was so matted that it came away after being washed. Thankfully the nails have since been trimmed and she's had a good wash, just can't believe her previous owners left her at the rescue centre, because they couldn't cope with the thought of her dying, after her sister passed away. :(
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It depends on where you got her from and also how busy the volunteers are. Many rescues are currently totally snowed under since the post-pandemic pet dump is in full swing; grooming care may take a little back step when dealing with a fresh intake of badly neglected animals.
If Flower is no longer able to clean herself well, then she may get smelly very quickly and may need regular bum gentle baths with plain baby warm water.
 
Wiebke said:
It depends on where you got her from and also how busy the volunteers are. Many rescues are currently totally snowed under since the post-pandemic pet dump is in full swing; grooming care may take a little back step when dealing with a fresh intake of badly neglected animals.
If Flower is no longer able to clean herself well, then she may get smelly very quickly and may need regular bum gentle baths with plain baby warm water.
Click to expand...
That's true, I'll try to reserve judgement in future, I just felt bad for her when I saw her. I think if it wasn't for the fact that I work very long hours in care, have family responsibilities, etc. I think I would have liked to volunteer at a animal rescue centre.
 
SteelyDaniel said:
That's true, I'll try to reserve judgement in future, I just felt bad for her when I saw her. I think if it wasn't for the fact that I work very long hours in care, have family responsibilities, etc. I think I would have liked to volunteer at a animal rescue centre.
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She certainly has landed on her feet (however overgrown) with you! ;)

Many rescue people and volunteers actually do their work on top of a day job; most people are not aware of that.
 
Wiebke said:
She certainly has landed on her feet (however overgrown) with you! ;)

Many rescue people and volunteers actually do their work on top of a day job; most people are not aware of that.
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Ha ha, that she has :)

Oh I know, I've done some volunteer work in the past (and I was working 6 days a week back then), it's just when you work 13 - 14hr days (sometimes 3 - 5 days in a row) and spend days off inbetween looking after our daughter (3) doing chores, shopping, spending quality time with my wife, there isn't much time left. Not complaining at all, I wouldn't change a thing. Maybe when our daughter starts school next year :)
 
SteelyDaniel said:
Ha ha, that she has :)

Oh I know, I've done some volunteer work in the past (and I was working 6 days a week back then), it's just when you work 13 - 14hr days (sometimes 3 - 5 days in a row) and spend days off inbetween looking after our daughter (3) doing chores, shopping, spending quality time with my wife, there isn't much time left. Not complaining at all, I wouldn't change a thing. Maybe when our daughter starts school next year :)
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The best way of supporting a rescue is actually by adopting because you are helping make space for more piggies in need of a safe place and future.
 
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