Spinal injury - advice needed on what’s the best decision to make

[Jazzyjl]

My 9 year old daughter sadly dropped one of our Guinea pigs last week and sadly as soon as she put him back in, he ran dragging both his back legs. We got an emergency appointment the following day and she said it looked spinal and gave us Loxicom for any pain. She said keep an eye on him and if there was no improvement then it would be best to have him PTS my daughter is devastated and feels like it’s all her fault and if he dies she has killed him. I am worried he has shown no signs of improvement and that his quality of life has been seriously compromised but we also don’t want to give up on him! He is still eating and drinking but is only moving between two spots in his hutch and no longer comes out to greet us or makes any happy sounds. It looks like he might also be chewing on his left foot, we have cleaned him and noticed some dried blood and his nails look shorter on that side. I also worry about his pal who is the less dominant one, he is clearly worried about his friend and seems very skittish. I guess I am writing to try and get some advice from other piggie owners and whether it would be kinder to have him PTS! Thanks in advance for the help with this tough decision.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry to hear your piggy fell. Please reassure your daughter that these accidents easily happen. They’ve happened to us adults (me included) even when we’ve been careful. They can just jump blindly

I have no experience of injuries so can’t give you any advice. Did the vet carry out an X-ray or scan along with the physical exam? I’ll link to a useful guide for you below. Have a read of that while you wait for more experienced members to give you a more comprehensive answer. I hope that he does gain back his mobility.

Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

PS did you post about this last week?

 

[Jazzyjl]

No I have only just become a member of this forum. Thanks for the advice, I have had a good read. It’s just so sad that they both used to come out and beg for carrots and now neither do.

 

[VickiA]

I think I’d be taking him back to the vets, for a further exam and assessment. The Loxicom is both a pain relief medication and an anti inflammatory medication so it can really help piggies if the spinal cord has been compressed but not severed. @Betsy had a piggy who went off his legs almost completely but recovered some use of his legs using long term Metacam/loxicom. Is he able to wee and poop properly and is he able to keep himself clean and dry?

 

[Jazzyjl]

I’m sorry to hear your piggy fell. Please reassure your daughter that these accidents easily happen. They’ve happened to us adults (me included) even when we’ve been careful. They can just jump blindly

I have no experience of injuries so can’t give you any advice. Did the vet carry out an X-ray or scan along with the physical exam? I’ll link to a useful guide for you below. Have a read of that while you wait for more experienced members to give you a more comprehensive answer. I hope that he does gain back his mobility.

Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

PS did you post about this last week?

No I have only just become a member of the forum. The vet decided it wasn’t worth the cost of an x-Ray because the outcome would potentially be the same if there was no improvement.

 

[Jazzyjl]

I think I’d be taking him back to the vets, for a further exam and assessment. The Loxicom is both a pain relief medication and an anti inflammatory medication so it can really help piggies if the spinal cord has been compressed but not severed. @Betsy had a piggy who went off his legs almost completely but recovered some use of his legs using long term Metacam/loxicom. Is he able to wee and poop properly and is he able to keep himself clean and dry?

He does seem to be weeing and pooing as normal. We have gently tried to wash him a little in case he is struggling but he doesn’t seem to dirty. He really doesn’t want to be picked up though and so this is quite stressful.
One of my main concerns is if he is chewing at his foot in pain and his whole quality of life I think if we take him back to the vet now she will recommend euthanasia.

 

[Betsy]

I think I’d be taking him back to the vets, for a further exam and assessment. The Loxicom is both a pain relief medication and an anti inflammatory medication so it can really help piggies if the spinal cord has been compressed but not severed. @Betsy had a piggy who went off his legs almost completely but recovered some use of his legs using long term Metacam/loxicom. Is he able to wee and poop properly and is he able to keep himself clean and dry?

I did indeed. My Rainbow Piggie Handsome Silver Fox Christian had a spinal injury and with a very hefty dose of Metacam he eventually got better. Here he is straight after his injury.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk6fKFY--g8&ab_channel=Betsy


I hope your piggy gets better.

 

[Eriathwen]

I'm so sorry you've found yourself in this situation.
Do you know the concentration and dose of metacam you were given? 0.5mg/ml is cat metacam and 1.5mg/ml is dog metacam, some vets can really underdose guinea pigs with metacam so it could simply be he needs his pain medication adjusted or another one added in.
Remember while vets can advise euthenasia, they can't force you, you can absolutely go back and request xrays if he is otherwise well in himself and not suffering, or seek a second opinion from a different vet
Everything crossed for the little guy!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry to hear this.
I do agree - the pain relief being is sufficient is important - as @Eriathwen has said, piggies can take higher doses of pain meds than some vets less knowledgable on piggies prescribe.
I would personally want the x ray and a second opinion so that you have all the facts to enable you to make the best decision.

 

[Guinea Slave]

I’m so sorry to hear this. I would definitely want an X-ray, i would be very annoyed at the vets attitude.

I know it’s a trek for you but Anton vets in Andover are amazing and very used to complex injuries, illnesses etc. John Chitty and his team never give up and their focus is on quality of life.I have been with them now for ten years.

another alternative is Jenny Towers in Bracknell, they don’t have quite the same extent of equipment available but again she is very good and won’t give up. I haven’t personally experienced injuries like this yet, but as many have said, it may well be fixable or at least manageable with the right help.

I do wish you luck. Xx

 

[Guinea Slave]

Anton Vets
Bracken vets We care for pets in Bracknell | Bracken Veterinary Centre

 

[Betsy]

I know it’s a trek for you but Anton vets in Andover are amazing and very used to complex injuries, illnesses etc. John Chitty and his team never give up and their focus is on quality of life.I have been with them now for ten years.

When Christian first hurt his spine, my vet wasn't sure what is was so she spoke to John Chitty and discussed Christian's symptoms and it was John who recognised that Christian had arthritis in his spine.

 

[Jazzyjl]

I'm so sorry you've found yourself in this situation.
Do you know the concentration and dose of metacam you were given? 0.5mg/ml is cat metacam and 1.5mg/ml is dog metacam, some vets can really underdose guinea pigs with metacam so it could simply be he needs his pain medication adjusted or another one added in.
Remember while vets can advise euthenasia, they can't force you, you can absolutely go back and request xrays if he is otherwise well in himself and not suffering, or seek a second opinion from a different vet
Everything crossed for the little guy!

It is Loxicom for dogs and she advised us to give him 0.4mg twice a day.

 

[Jazzyjl]

Thanks everyone for your advise and other vets to contact. Very helpful.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending healing vibes, hope piggie starts to improve soon. Give him time to heal x