Limping

[Skyler McLeod]

Hello, please don’t judge me on this as I am feeling awful. I accidentally dropped Milton on Monday night as I was transferring him from play time outside of his cage. He fell from about half a metre I would say and he didn’t squeal in pain or make any noises. I immediately picked him up and placed him on my bed to make sure he was walking fine. Unfortunately, he was limping and not putting on weight on his back right hand leg. I called the vets straight away and he was seen and given some Loxicom. The vet said she couldn’t feel a break but Milton wasn’t retracting his leg when it was pulled away behind him.

Milton still has a limp and is still refusing to put weight onto his leg but he is fine within himself and still acting as normal. The vet has said to bring him back in on Friday for an X Ray if he is still no better. I am just wondering when would I start seeing results of him improving if it is a sprain? I know this may seem rushed but I just want to do the best for him. I feel awful but I am willing to do anything to help him feel better.
Thank you advance for your help.

 

[Claire W]

Please don’t feel bad as accidents happen.

If it’s a bad sprain, it could take several days for it to heal but if you still haven’t seen an improvement by Friday, then an x Ray would be good if only for peace of mind.

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Please don’t feel bad as accidents happen.

If it’s a bad sprain, it could take several days for it to heal but if you still haven’t seen an improvement by Friday, then an x Ray would be good if only for peace of mind.

Thank you for the swift reply! I’ll just keep a close eye on him still to make sure he is doing good. Fingers crossed he starts to feel better soon.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, please don’t judge me on this as I am feeling awful. I accidentally dropped Milton on Monday night as I was transferring him from play time outside of his cage. He fell from about half a metre I would say and he didn’t squeal in pain or make any noises. I immediately picked him up and placed him on my bed to make sure he was walking fine. Unfortunately, he was limping and not putting on weight on his back right hand leg. I called the vets straight away and he was seen and given some Loxicom. The vet said she couldn’t feel a break but Milton wasn’t retracting his leg when it was pulled away behind him.

Milton still has a limp and is still refusing to put weight onto his leg but he is fine within himself and still acting as normal. The vet has said to bring him back in on Friday for an X Ray if he is still no better. I am just wondering when would I start seeing results of him improving if it is a sprain? I know this may seem rushed but I just want to do the best for him. I feel awful but I am willing to do anything to help him feel better.
Thank you advance for your help.

Hi!

A bad sprain can take several weeks to heal, and it may be aggravated again a few times once your piggy starts moving normally again. The joint may also remain an bit more prone to reacting with a sprain afterwards if a lot of pressure is put on it from my own experiences. I hope that the leg retracts again at the next consultation.

Please don't panic, even though it is not at all easy to sit by and be patient when you are wracked with guilt.
These things happen; there are a number of situations that you cannot really anticipate or prevent.

What you can do, if you find that it helps your conscience is having a look at this guide here in order to minimise the risk of freak jumps. But keep in mind, this something that you usually only become aware of after a fall/unlucky jump - and we have them all at some point or other, despite our best efforts.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Hi!

A bad sprain can take several weeks to heal, and it may be aggravated again a few times once your piggy starts moving normally again. The joint may also remain an bit more prone to reacting with a sprain afterwards if a lot of pressure is put on it from my own experiences. I hope that the leg retracts again at the next consultation.

Please don't panic, even though it is not at all easy to sit by and be patient when you are wracked with guilt.
These things happen; there are a number of situations that you cannot really anticipate or prevent.

What you can do, if you find that it helps your conscience is having a look at this guide here in order to minimise the risk of freak jumps. But keep in mind, this something that you usually only become aware of after a fall/unlucky jump - and we have them all at some point or other, despite our best efforts.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Hello!
Thank you for the reply! I am finding this Forum very useful! I’ll have a read of the guide now, hopefully educate myself some more so nothing like this happens again.

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Hi!

A bad sprain can take several weeks to heal, and it may be aggravated again a few times once your piggy starts moving normally again. The joint may also remain an bit more prone to reacting with a sprain afterwards if a lot of pressure is put on it from my own experiences. I hope that the leg retracts again at the next consultation.

Please don't panic, even though it is not at all easy to sit by and be patient when you are wracked with guilt.
These things happen; there are a number of situations that you cannot really anticipate or prevent.

What you can do, if you find that it helps your conscience is having a look at this guide here in order to minimise the risk of freak jumps. But keep in mind, this something that you usually only become aware of after a fall/unlucky jump - and we have them all at some point or other, despite our best efforts.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Hello I am needing some more advice, I visited the vet again today who has now changed her mind and said an x ray isn’t worth it and she can’t do anything about it and she recommends putting Milton to sleep. I opposed this as I don’t think that is fair at all, I am now visiting another this afternoon which is 2 hours away to try and get a second opinion. Do you think the vet was being drastic?

 

[VickiA]

I think a second opinion is definitely in order. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Claire W]

I would definitely be seeking a second opinion. Having your piggy pts before further tests have been carried out is very extreme

Even if the leg is broken, there’s other options to try before pts

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Thank you for the advice, I asked the vet about amputation if it is severely broken which I don’t think it is and she said that isn’t possible on guinea pigs and they can’t survive on 3 legs which is completely different to what I’ve read online. I’m hoping all goes well at this next appointment. I will keep you all updated.

 

[Truffle and Coco]

Hi, I really do not have advice to offer but I just wanted to say I hope Milton will be okay.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the advice, I asked the vet about amputation if it is severely broken which I don’t think it is and she said that isn’t possible on guinea pigs and they can’t survive on 3 legs which is completely different to what I’ve read online. I’m hoping all goes well at this next appointment. I will keep you all updated.

Not a piggy savvy vet then! Definitely worth a second opinion!

Piggies can survive an amputation pretty well and get on with life just as well as as if the had four limps once they have adjusted.

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Hey everyone, so Milton has been x rayed at the new vets and they can confirm it is broken. I was offered 3 options and I have opted for trying a splint for 4 weeks with an x ray in between and then if no success going for amputation. Thank you for all your help and I’ll keep you updated on his recovery.

 

[Claire W]

Aw I’m sorry that the leg is broken I once had a degu with a broken leg and he was offered a splint but thankfully his broken bone knitted together naturally. I hope the splint works for your boy x

 

[Wiebke]

Hey everyone, so Milton has been x rayed at the new vets and they can confirm it is broken. I was offered 3 options and I have opted for trying a splint for 4 weeks with an x ray in between and then if no success going for amputation. Thank you for all your help and I’ll keep you updated on his recovery.

Fingers very firmly crossed! I am very sorry that you have lost valuable time and money because of a vet with no interest in guinea pigs.

 

[Skyler McLeod]

I was very upset when she mentioned putting Milton to sleep before even investigating. Very pleased this new Vets is doing all they can to help. I would definitely rather the first vet was just honest and say she hasn’t much experience and to go elsewhere instead of trying to put my poor baby to sleep. He still has so much life in him, still eating and pooping as normal. Sorry for the rant, just need to get it off my chest

 

[Truffle and Coco]

I don't think you need to apologise for anything. I am truly shocked and appalled at the attitude of the first vet, these are people we trust with the animals we love. Milton is lucky to have you looking out for him. I hope the splint works for him.

 

[Skyler McLeod]

I don't think you need to apologise for anything. I am truly shocked and appalled at the attitude of the first vet, these are people we trust with the animals we love. Milton is lucky to have you looking out for him. I hope the splint works for him.

As silly as it sounds I feel like I am his voice so I am willing to do anything and everything for him, he isn’t ready to cross the rainbow road yet. If I truly knew it was the best thing for him I would do what’s in his best interest. Thank you for your support it means a lot to me

 

[Truffle and Coco]

As silly as it sounds I feel like I am his voice so I am willing to do anything and everything for him, he isn’t ready to cross the rainbow road yet. If I truly knew it was the best thing for him I would do what’s in his best interest. Thank you for your support it means a lot to me

I don't think it's silly at all. Because of you there is now a vet looking after him with Milton's best interests at heart. You should always fight for the things you love.

 

[weepweeps]

I hope the splint works and Milton recovers soon. .

 

[Wiebke]

I was very upset when she mentioned putting Milton to sleep before even investigating. Very pleased this new Vets is doing all they can to help. I would definitely rather the first vet was just honest and say she hasn’t much experience and to go elsewhere instead of trying to put my poor baby to sleep. He still has so much life in him, still eating and pooping as normal. Sorry for the rant, just need to get it off my chest

You do not need to apologise. Sadly, these experiences usually come at the cost of lives or unnessary suffering of our piggies. Guinea pigs fall unfortunately into the gap between not featuring much in a general vet's curriculum because they are classed as exotics but being too 'mundane' to catch the interest of many exotics buffs.

Depending on the area, finding a vet within your reach you trust can be quite a saga as you have to do it the hard way; being a long term owner, I have made my own experiences the hard way, too.

Our recommended vets locator on the top bar relies on member feedback, so it is not comprehensive or in any way complete. Some areas do have a lot less small animal vets with exotics interest than others; especially the more thinly settled areas.
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

 

[Skyler McLeod]

You do not need to apologise. Sadly, these experiences usually come at the cost of lives or unnessary suffering of our piggies. Guinea pigs fall unfortunately into the gap between not featuring much in a general vet's curriculum because they are classed as exotics but being too 'mundane' to catch the interest of many exotics buffs.

Depending on the area, finding a vet within your reach you trust can be quite a saga as you have to do it the hard way; being a long term owner, I have made my own experiences the hard way, too.

Our recommended vets locator on the top bar relies on member feedback, so it is not comprehensive or in any way complete. Some areas do have a lot less small animal vets with exotics interest than others; especially the more thinly settled areas.
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

It’s a shame really considering how popular they are as a pet! I didn’t like how Milton was being treated any different to a dog or a cat just because he’s a lot smaller doesn’t mean he deserves less chance of a happy life. Your recommended vet finder was what I actually used to find the second vets who have literally saved his life! I used Ashgrove in Aberdeen. I couldn’t have needed it at a better time so thank you for creating that list. I’m sure it has helped lots of other people too

 

[Siikibam]

Fingers crossed the splint works for him. Well done on persisting and not listening to the first vet!

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

So glad you didn't listen to the first vet! I hope the splint works, but if it doesn't, I had a boar that had to have a rear leg amputated, and he recovered from the op and managed just fine for the rest of his life

 

[Skyler McLeod]

So glad you didn't listen to the first vet! I hope the splint works, but if it doesn't, I had a boar that had to have a rear leg amputated, and he recovered from the op and managed just fine for the rest of his life

Thank you! I’m definitely feeling a lot better with everyone’s support. I’m glad to hear your boy survived and had a happy life. I’m hoping this works but if not I know he will still have a great quality of life just as your boy did

 

[Truffle and Coco]

Hi, I was just wondering how Milton was doing.

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Hi, I was just wondering how Milton was doing.

Hello! Thank you for checking up on him! He’s doing really well as far as I can see, he’s still eating and pooping fine and he’s been popcorning around his limited size cage I’m going to send the vet a photo of his cast tomorrow to decided wether it needs re wrapping or not just to prevent it becoming really dirty. He’s been starting to walk on the cast now instead of dragging it so I’m hoping that’s a good sign.

 

[Truffle and Coco]

Although I have no medical knowledge I would imagine walking is a good sign, that is good to hear, plus he sounds fine within himself, fingers crossed.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending Milton all the luck and a speedy recovery and well done you for seeking another vet who cares x

 

[Skyler McLeod]

Sending Milton all the luck and a speedy recovery and well done you for seeking another vet who cares x

Thank you! He’s a little fighter who deserves the best chance at life! Here is a photo of him chilling whilst I was cleaning out his cage x

 

[weepweeps]

Glad he’s doing ok. I’ve never see a cast for a piggy. If you could would you mind posting a picture of it! Just super interested