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Bone infection in leg :(

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Amyboop18

Amyboop18

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Hi everyone

I have a pure white piggy called Lola. She is coming 2 in February. Last week
we noticed she was limping so we took her to the vets. They informed us that her leg was swollen and gave us 1 weeks supply of Metacam (sorry for incorrect speelling) & Baytrill. I had to take her back 2 days later (Friday 23rd Dec). The Vet (who was very concerned) noticed that the swelling had not gone down so asked us to take her to the animal hospital on xmas eve for an x-ray. That evening we were very worried. She was yelping in pain and could barely drag her little body along her cage. Me and my Fiance cried ourselves to sleep that night we were so worried.
We took Lola for her x-ray on xmas eve at 8.30am and left her at the hospital. We were very worried as she had to be anesthetised for the procedure. Luckily she came round ok and the Vet advised that she has a bone infection and a little fracture. They bandaged her little leg up and allowed us to take her home at 3pm (They did suggest hospitalising her for 5 days - But the vet thought she would be stressed as not her usual environment). The vets had injected her pain relief and medication into her and there was a big improvement in her character when we got her home.
Myself and my fiance have been giving her the medication every morning. She is very well in herself (still eating/drinking/chirping/having a fuss etc) she is even hoping around her cage however that leg is still very swollen.
Today is the day she's back at the vets for her check up (at 3pm - Not long to wait). I'm having to work so the fiance is taking her. I'm worried that if the swelling does not go down then they will suggest putting her to sleep. I know I should wait to find out what the vets says beofre jumping the gun but do you think I should get a 2nd opinion if this is what they suggest. I'm a big believer in quality of life but she just still a happy go lucky piggy but with a very poorly leg. I have forked out £200 so far and whatever today costs but we are taking it from our wedding savings. We don't care about the money. We would not live with ourselves if we hadn't tried every possible thing. Has anyone had experience with a piggy surving a bone infection and swollen leg who could help. From searching the net most have had to have their pigs put to sleep. We live in Dudley - West Midlands but can drive anywhere. Please help me. P.s. the reason I'm panicking is because the vet said they do not believe in amputating piggies legs as it can cause them problems so if it did not clear up with meds there is not a lot they can do. Thanks Amy
 
See what the vet suggests today. As far as amputation goes, I have known of piggies who have managed really well with just three legs. Try not to panic and see how the appointment goes today. Maybe a stronger antibiotic could help. My vet is very guinea pig savvy and probably one of the best guinea pig vets in the country but it would mean travelling to Northampton.
 
Thank you very much for replying. Northampton is about 2 hours from me but If I ever need the vets assistance in the future then the drive would be no problem for me.
My fiance has just called. It's good news. The vet can see the big improvement in Lola. She has given her more of the same meds. She said her leg will always be that little bit bigger due to how she thinks the fracture could have set. Basically she just has a disability in her leg. The vet said there is no need to put her to sleep. I am so happy. She just has a follow up appointment next week now :)
 
I saw one pig without a back leg and it was big, happy and wasn't any different from any other pigs. The owner said when he runs around you can't tell which one's missing a leg :)
 
Thank you everyone. Lola is my first Piggy. (I've always had cats). She does not get on with other piggies thats why she lives alone and is so spoilt. She loves humans just not other animals. My cats are scared to death of her. She is definitely a rodent with a very bad attitude but sher can also be very loving and eats out the palm of my hand and gives me kisses. These tiny little guys have such huge personalities. A house is not a home without squeaks everytime you open the fridge and without the clanking of the water bottle while they are drinking. I'm very happy she's ok :) x x
 
Aww that is a lovely thing to say and anybody who has guinea pigs will understand that :)
 
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Thank you. I live towards the top of Woodsetton just before you get into Sedgley. You're an Amy as well lol :) x x
 
That sounds like really good news.

We had a degu with an infected foot, but we managed to get rid of the infection in the end with Flagyl. Sadly there was too much damage to save his foot, but he's a happy little fella now rushing around on his 3 feet.

Paula
 
What a releif...!
So glad she's okay...!
If you'd like some local-ish vets recommended I use two not very far from you...
Pool house vets in Lichfield... I use these guys majority of the time... Katie Dow is an extremly good vet...!
And amicus vets near Solihull... I have used these guys to do an emergency c-section on a very sick piggie...
And they were amazing... Did such a fantastic Job on C... She was so ill and she survived and got through the op. Without complications...
Both of these vets are well worth using if you can travel...!
x
 
Awww bless him Paulag. I am so glad he is ok and managing with 3 feet. I am so pleased they sorted him out.

Thank you Clare. I will keep a note of these in case of an emergency. My vets (Blacks in Sedgley) have turned out to be excellent. They said they are seeing more and more Guinea pigs lately and they had operated on 3 the past 3 weeks alone. I will definitely use yours if my vets are not able to help in the future. Travelling is no trouble at all. I'm so glad your piggie was ok in the end. It's such a worry. I'm so glad I joined this forum :) x x
 
Thank you Abi Nurse. Yes they are so caring and you can tell they love animals. The one vet was so worried she even called Lola's regular vet on exmas eve to make sure Lola had pulled through as she was so worried about her. x x
 
My poor Lola has been back at the vets today :( this time with ileus.
I have been cleaning her cage out every day due to her having had a bone infection/fractured leg and when I was cleaning last night I noticed there was no poo in her cage. Alarm bells started to ring because although I had only cleaned her out 24 hours previously there should have still been poo in there. This was at 11pm last night. I put her to bed and when I woke up this morning I went to check and there was still no poo. I got straight on the phone to the vets who gave me an appointment straight away first thing this morning. I had to unfortunately go to work so I gave my mum the taxi money and she took her. The Vet said it could have been casued from the General Anesthetic from when she had her x-ray xmas eve. She is now on Zantac Syrup as well as her Baytrill & Metacam for her bone infection and critical care sachets. The vet has advised us to keep feeding her roughage such as hay etc. She felt all her stomach and said luckily there was not too much poo inside her it was only a litlte bit. I am so glad I spotted this straight away. She was still a happy piggy just not eating as much of her cucumber as usual in the last 24 hours. I am pleased to say that Lola is still popcorning round her cage and chirping and taking her syringe food and medicine without a fuss even though it is giving her a green mouth. Love you Lola x x
 
Poor little thing - its good news that she's taking her feed well.

When Radar the degu got gut stasis post opmneither me or my husband had a single unbitten finger by the time we got his gut going again. The Zantac did its job though.

Paula
 
Awww glad it did the job for your degu. They are sooooo cute I love them x
 
Just caught up with this thread :( My heart sank when you said Lola had had a set back - they really like to give us a fright don't they :...
How is little one today ?/ We're sending lots of healing vibes and gentle hugs to Lola x>>
 
Thank you Guinea Pig Slave. She is much better thank you. She has started pooing again now. It took a good 24 hours for the Zantac to start working. She Is off her critical care sachets now and is back at the vets on Wednesday for her leg check up. Her leg isn't as swollen now either bless her. She's pottering around her cage lots and eating her veggies and hay. I really thought we were going to lose her Xmas eve. I'm £300 out of pocket now but she's worth it :) x x
 
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