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Broken Leg!

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Andrea999

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all,

My poor little guinea pig Petey has had a rough life. When we got him he was only 4 weeks old with a horrible upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. He survived that but now we have a new problem...

My 9 year old daughter accidentally stepped on his back foot with shoes on today. He screamed and she screamed and I screamed and now he's been just hobbling around not using that leg. I'm extremely worried about him.

I made a vet appointment for him and he's going to be seen within just a few hours of being injured. Does anyone have experience with this? Do guinea pigs survive this kind of thing?

I'm also dealing with an unsupportive husband who told me he's tired of spending money on him and actually said, "if the vet can't do anything I bet you won't even let me kill him. I bet you'll make me pay for the vet to do it."
 
Oh that sounds as though everything's got into a right mess. I would certainly agree with seeing a vet. I haven't had the experience of a piggy with a broken leg but so long as the pig is seen rather quickly by a vet and not left there will certainly be a higher chance of repair. It also depends on the possible break if it's a clean break then a splint might right it or the vet may have to do an op to realign the bones. However, if it's completely ruined the bone structure in the foot/leg then amputation may be carried out though I see that as very unlikely. It's possible it could also just be a bruised bone but a vet visit would still be neccessary. How did it happen? And is the piggy able to get to water and food etc while you wait to see a vet?
 
He needs a vet ASAP.

Pain relief is vital there and to be given at home. Please let us know how you get on. I am sure you will do you best for your piggy. IS he eating?
 
sport_billy said:
He needs a vet ASAP.

Pain relief is vital there and to be given at home. Please let us know how you get on. I am sure you will do you best for your piggy. IS he eating?
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I gave him some children's ibuprofen, as that's all we have. Just a small dose. He is eating and drinking. Just not using that back foot.
 
Jesse's pigs said:
Oh that sounds as though everything's got into a right mess. I would certainly agree with seeing a vet. I haven't had the experience of a piggy with a broken leg but so long as the pig is seen rather quickly by a vet and not left there will certainly be a higher chance of repair. It also depends on the possible break if it's a clean break then a splint might right it or the vet may have to do an op to realign the bones. However, if it's completely ruined the bone structure in the foot/leg then amputation may be carried out though I see that as very unlikely. It's possible it could also just be a bruised bone but a vet visit would still be neccessary. How did it happen? And is the piggy able to get to water and food etc while you wait to see a vet?
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Yes, a big mess! He got stepped on by accident by my 9 year old daughter. She was helping me clean his cage as she has many times. It was a huge accident and she was very upset about it.

He is eating and drinking which I'll take as a good sign. He's still moving around almost like normal, except he's got his hurt foot tucked up by his body. He almost hops around. Hopefully the vet can fix him right up.
 
Andrea999 said:
I gave him some children's ibuprofen, as that's all we have. Just a small dose. He is eating and drinking. Just not using that back foot.
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Please tell your vet the medication you have given him and if it is paracetamol based or ibuprofen as this may tailor what the vet provides. Is your vet cavy savy?
 
sport_billy said:
Please tell your vet the medication you have given him and if it is paracetamol based or ibuprofen as this may tailor what the vet provides. Is your vet cavy savy?
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I checked, and it's ibuprofen based. Our vet seems to be good with guinea pigs. We had to take him to a couple before we found this one when he was sick with his URI. He was better pretty quickly under her care.
 
Andrea999 said:
I checked, and it's ibuprofen based. Our vet seems to be good with guinea pigs. We had to take him to a couple before we found this one when he was sick with his URI. He was better pretty quickly under her care.
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Okay be sure to mention the dose you have given him. Sending lots of vibes.
 
I'd tell your husband to pay for some "tact, diplomacy &sensitivity" classes whilst he's spending money too!
You're both upset enough as it is without passing comments like that!

I'd definitely get guinea to the vet asap, the quicker he's seen the better his recovery rate will be :)
That's good you've booked him an appointment already :nod:

I agree with the others tell the vet what home treatments you've given &the amount so that any medications the vet gives dont react with the ones you've already given.

If you have any ramps or bridges I would remove them for a while so that he doesn't jump or run on to them causing any more injuries, it might be worth giving him more of a confined space for a few days too so he can't run around as much.

Hopefully the damage is minimal &its just badly bruised.
If it is broken then he could possibly have a splint fitted,depends which bones are damaged.


Healing vibes &speedy recovery for little man, also a supportive hug for you &your daughter, please reassure her that accidents do happen &that you know she didnt mean to hurt him. Its one of those things &she's got to help you get him better.
Luv the girls &I xx
 
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oh no ... i bet your all very upset ( apart from the hubby ! ) hope the vets visit goes ok and accidents do happen. x
 
Thanks for your replies everyone!

Vet confirmed with an x-ray that his leg is indeed broken. He had surgery right after and vet just called to say it went well and that he's awake. Hopefully he pulls through this. I've read lots of things where piggies do ok during surgery but die after.

He's been so tough through his little life.
 
Aww I'm so glad you managed to get him fixed, you & your daughter need to have a hug. She's probably gutted, that she broke his leg. Was the poor little thing ill treated, how old is he, if he's young then the break should heal very quickly. Have you just the one, mind you that can be hard enough. Ha
Mind you, you don't have to answer any invasive questions, I am naturally a noisy person
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Aww I'm so glad you managed to get him fixed, you & your daughter need to have a hug. She's probably gutted, that she broke his leg. Was the poor little thing ill treated, how old is he, if he's young then the break should heal very quickly. Have you just the one, mind you that can be hard enough. Ha
Mind you, you don't have to answer any invasive questions, I am naturally a noisy person
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We mistakenly bought him and his cage mate from PetSmart. We love them both, but know they probably came from a tough start. Petey had a URI which progressed into pneumonia. At least we know now. They're both only about 3 months old now.

As for kids, I have 3. 3 kiddos and 2 piggies. They're coming with to pick up Petey tonight. His cage mate S'mores is missing him a ton and keeps looking around for him and squeaking.
 
Please make sure, you get given pain relief to give at home for your piggy when he gets home. Sending lots of recovery vibes
 
Aww I'm so glad you managed to get him fixed, you & your daughter need to have a hug. She's probably gutted, that she broke his leg. Was the poor little thing ill treated, how old is he, if he's young then the leg will heal quickly. How many brothers or sisters does he have.
 
Aftercare is as important as the op-
Make sure you keep him warm enough &out of draughts.
Give him lots of hay &food to keep his digestive system moving, so passing poops &keep him hydrated.

Piggies in pain often lose their appetite so keep on top of his painkillers &this will in turn help keep everything else ticking over properly for a more speedy recovery.

Healing vibes little man& speedy recovery. Xx
 
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