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Broken Leg And A Stressed Pig

Freckles13

Freckles13

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all, looking for some tips for my little piggy Freckles. He fell down the stairs in his cage and has broken a bone in his back foot. He has a splint on his leg and can toe tap on when walking. He is on pain killers and is on strict rest for 6 weeks. However he is so sad looking, Freckles is normally a big character he loves food! Will do anything for food! But since the break he is eating but not looking for food (which normally be acts like hes never been fed when he hears any bag russle). He is quiet and hiding a lot, this is also out of character. His piggy pal Denver has been really good with him giving him lots of cuddles and they are still grooming each other. I have bought loads of different hay flavours and treat balls so keep them entertained. I bought them a bigger igloo so he can stretch his leg out. I bought oxbow joint supplement tablets for him but he won't eat them. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas to cheer him up and relief some stress!
 
I am not really sure as I am not the professional but maybe you should start weighting him regularly to at least make sure he isn't dropping waste drastically. if he eating comes to a complete stop then you might have to syringe feed him. Have you tried Pellet Mash and see if he eats that I am honestly not sure how to help you with this problem. I hope your Pig gets better soon!
 
When my pig sprained his back leg he was very much like this, I was so worried that I bought him some apple and banana critical care, mixed it up and put it on a spoon in front of him and he ate it off there as he wasn't as interested in his food. Maybe give him piles of hay to sleep in and he might eat it while he's resting in it?
 
I'm not an expert, but it just sounds as though he's feeling about bit sorry for himself. I think @Alex Read is right though. Keep an eye on his weight and step in with top up feeds if he starts to drop. He's not running around, so won't be burning off the same amount of energy. He's a lucky boy to have such a caring cage mate (and piggy slave). Lots of peace and quiet and cuddles should do the trick, and he should perk up a bit once the pain and discomfort eases.
 
It does sound like he is feeling sorry for himself. Is he on pain relief?
 
Freckles13 said:
Hi all, looking for some tips for my little piggy Freckles. He fell down the stairs in his cage and has broken a bone in his back foot. He has a splint on his leg and can toe tap on when walking. He is on pain killers and is on strict rest for 6 weeks. However he is so sad looking, Freckles is normally a big character he loves food! Will do anything for food! But since the break he is eating but not looking for food (which normally be acts like hes never been fed when he hears any bag russle). He is quiet and hiding a lot, this is also out of character. His piggy pal Denver has been really good with him giving him lots of cuddles and they are still grooming each other. I have bought loads of different hay flavours and treat balls so keep them entertained. I bought them a bigger igloo so he can stretch his leg out. I bought oxbow joint supplement tablets for him but he won't eat them. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas to cheer him up and relief some stress!
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How much pain relief is he on? He sounds like he is still in discomfort, either from the break or the splint, or both, poor boy!

Please weigh him daily at the same time (ideally before or after a meal) instead of the usual weekly weigh-in. 80% or more of the daily food intake should be hay, which you cannot control otherwise. If he has lost more than 50g, please start offering him top up syringe feed twice daily, as much as he will take.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

As hard as it is for you, you are already doing what you can for Freckles and he has got lots of support from his mate, too, which is the biggest destressing factor for him. It is a matter of time until his break heals. He will be a cheerful boy again once that has happened. Sitting by and waiting can be more stressful on you than it is on the guinea pig.
Try to concentrate on sending him healing thoughts and try not to project your own stress onto Freckles; keep his normal daily routing going as much as possible.

Speak to your vet if there is any deterioration or if Freckles is not picking up in a few days.
 
Sorry missed the bit where you said he is on pain relief.
 
Thanks everyone. He got more painkillers from the vet so he was already on metacam once daily they added in some buprecare three times daily and hes perked up a good bit. He has lost a bit of weight but hes back eating his normal amount again. I got him some chamomile flavoured hay as well to help with the stress which he is loving. He still hates the joint supplement tablet, but his little friend Denver loves them haha.
They are both hating the fact their cage has been made into a 1 floored bungalow instead of the 3 floored town house they are use to but needs must.
Thanks for all your suggestions
 
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