Freddie's Leg :(

[idlewildgirl]

Well the boys have been out on the lawn for an hour this afternoon and as I was watching them I noticed Freddie was limping, his back right leg is slightly swollen on the pad. I have put him back in his cage and he is lying down on his side with the leg stuck out, he has tried to scratch his ear so he can move it and he is eating as normal, just doesn't want to put any pressure on it

He is off to the vets in an hour, just wondered if it sounded like a sprain?

 

[Wiebke]

If he is still putting weight on it, I rather suspect a sprain than a break.

 

[idlewildgirl]

I hope so, thanks Wiebke. He is currently sat eating a cherry tomato waiting for his appointment. doesnt look to be too bothered by it

 

[idlewildgirl]

well he had been to the vet, all doped up on metacam and anti inflammatory. He is booked in for an xray tomorrow if its no better Poor Freddiepig

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Bless him, hopefully the analgesia will help, get the inflammation down and any pain under control. Well done getting to the vets so quickly.

Keep us updated! xx

 

[idlewildgirl]

well the xray came back clear just some inflammation around the joint, he has to carry on with the metacam twice a day and he has a daily dose of Engemycin whatever that is! they also gave me some powder to pop in his food to improve blood flow. It cost me over £40 for a weeks meds and the vet nurse said its looking to be at least a 6 week treatment So expensive! Freddie is still ok in himself, eating but not as much as usual and he still lies with the leg sticking out.

 

[Little Piggles]

Hope Freddie's leg feels better very soon

 

[idlewildgirl]

Thanks He is currently in his hospital cage pushed up against the C&C with the other two boys in and he keeps chewing the bars like he wants to be back in! I dont want to risk it until he is a bit better as dont want him running up the ramp and making it worse.

Just wondered wether it would be ok to bath him? The medicine is really gooey and its all over his chin, his whiskers keep sticking to it!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Bless him, he's obviously got a little way to go!

Being careful of the leg, you can bath him, but it'd be simpler to just use a damp facecloth/flannel to wipe his chin, given he's got a while to go yet on the meds.

Engemycin is an antibiotic, not often prescribed but I have heard of it being used in guineas before.

 

[idlewildgirl]

Bless him, he's obviously got a little way to go!

Being careful of the leg, you can bath him, but it'd be simpler to just use a damp facecloth/flannel to wipe his chin, given he's got a while to go yet on the meds.

Engemycin is an antibiotic, not often prescribed but I have heard of it being used in guineas before.

Thanks think I will just give him a wipe down. That Engemycin stuff is like honey its that sticky! Poor little man 8...

 

[idlewildgirl]

he seems a bit brighter today, I have popped him on the lawn to try and exercise a bit see if that helps now the injury isnt so new and he is nomming away on the grass, he is walking on it but still picks it up every now and then.

 

[idlewildgirl]

Just a thought but the OH got stung by a bee today whilst out in the garden, would it be possible one may have got Freddie in the leg/foot? could have caused the inflammation maybe? We do have a lot buzzing around the clover on the lawn! It was just that he was happily running around then was holding up his leg with no sign of apparent injury

 

[Laura-CCC4]

It is possible, it's one thought that came to mind when I first read the thread, but as I've not had a piggie stung before I wouldn't know any more than that! Limping can have multiple causes as you know, but from what I do know a bee sting is certainly one possibility.

 

[idlewildgirl]

Thanks He does have a tiny mark on his pad but the vet didn't seem to think it was connected. I had him on the bed with me last night (his favourite spot) and he was chatting and walking about with only a slight limp. the vet mentioned a possible bone infection which really worried me but he seems to be improving.