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Fall!

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Bean

Bean

Junior Guinea Pig
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Albus fell about 3 inches out of my hand onto the floor last night, he must of landed funny because he's limping and dragging one of his hind legs.
We phoned the normal vet and no reply, called the emergency number and the guy literally said 'put him in his cage and see tommorow, its just a pig'
so if it had been a cat or dog we would of been able to get him treated grrrr

He's at the vets now and they will call me once they have a look at him and see if an xray is needed and what treatment is needed

In 20 odd years of having pigs I have never dropped one, and now its at the very most 3 inches and he's hurt 8... I even had a friend when I was young drop one from chest height and he was perfectly fine, I just dont get it

I want to kill the guy on the emergency phone line 'just a pig' pow-pow
 
Poor you! I see red when people say that to me as well!

I hope that nothing has been broken; a bad fall can happen from any height, it depends on how the body weight impacts.

Fingers crossed!
 
I think it was because I had fleece down for them to run on and he slipped while landing.
He had 0.5 carprofen last night and he settled down fairly well with that, and this morning when I checked on him he ran round and was wheeking for food.

Just waiting by the phone now, driving myself insane with worry :{

Everything seems to be going wrong at the moment {:|
 
If he is still mobile and not sorry for himself, it doesn't sound like a break, rather like a sprain and he should be hopefully as good as new in a few days, max. 2-3 weeks!
 
It was floppy and painful so I think its probally a dislocation, I think if it was a bad sprain he would have more control over it. And it seemed very loose.
But I hope your right!

Just wish they'd call already
 
Poor Albus, hope you manage to see a decent vet and he gets the right treatment. I'd complain about the emergency one if I were you - that attitude is totally unacceptable.
x
 
The vet he's at is lovely. And is very kindly letting us invoice this one, otherwise I dont know what we'd have done.

I want to rant at the emergency guy too, OH said it was probally for horses or somthing like that. But an emergency is just that, doesnt matter what it is or how small! Was really upset this didnt happen at my mums, as the vet there will take anything any time and they are so good. My sisters cat has had many problems this year and theyve done some work for free because it was getting to be so much. I will look into complaining once I know whats going on with Albie.
 
hope everything is ok with your piggy :rose I cant believe the person said that... that is not very animal friendly - and at a vets too to say that! that would make my blood boil and knowing me i would of ended up answering to that.. :x lol
 
BIG HUGS!

I guess you will need an x-ray in that case. Poor boy!
 
Its broken.

She gave us two options; surgury to pin it or painkillers and a small cage.
I asked her opinion and she said the surgury, and that with the rest he would have very limited use of the leg.

We went with the surgury. Even though he's small, I know theres a risk, but I dont think letting him suffer and it hopfully healing enough so he can move around is fair. Especially with the way he was holding it.

She said he was showing no signs of pain unless she directly touched the knee. Just goes to show how much they hide these things.

So upset, cant stop crying. I know it was an accident but I just cant stop feeling that I hurt him.
 
awww :(:(

First off please dont blame yourself, it was an accident and it happens. Rodney once jumped about 2/3 inches out of my hands as I was putting him down and he landed on his face, poor baby but he was fine!

The vet who is looking at I'm sounds lovely, as long as they have done this sort of surgery before then I'm sure he will be fine.

Let us know how he's doing after the op.
x
 
Please don't feel bad. Mistakes happen and you are doing your best for him now. Hope the op goes well let us know how he gets on x
 
Please don't feel bad - these things happen! It's just sheer bad luck that he landed so badly!

You have been doing everything you can for your boy; THAT is the important thing! Best of luck with the op!

PS: Here are tips for post op care, if you feel you want to do things for him: http://www.guinealynx.info/postop.html

He will probably need a confined space for quite some time.
 
Its all change!

The vet talked to an orthopedic surgeon and the oporation would have been to put a pin in the bone and wire round the bone so that it didnt rotate. Which would have been a huge op and they didnt think it was wise.

They both agreed that as he is so mobile and fast now that with pain relife and limited space he should heal fine, and maybe be left with a slight limp, but maybe only when running fast.

I saw the x-ray and its a huge break, right through what would be our thigh bone. If I hadnt seen it happen and the x-ray I would never of belived that such a small fall could cause that much damage.

Albus is now home and resting in his carry case, which will be home for the next four weeks and nomming on some cucumber. The little lad was so good they didnt have to sedate him for the x-ray.

Thank you all for you'er kind words, they meen alot.
 
awwww what a little sweetheart :)

I bet youre relieved he hasnt had to go through that op, I would have been out of my mind with worry if it was my piggy.
 
I'm in two minds about it, on the one hand it would be nice for him to have it more stabilized, but its still going to take around the same time to heal with or without the surgury. And as he's only two months old I was very worried about the anestetic, which is already risky in pigs, never mind bubbas.
Just relived to have him home, and from the looks of him he's not gonna let this phase him, I think I'm going to have trouble keeping him calm and rested.
The vet also said it was very important that he eats, and Albie wholeheartedly agrees with this, so I think some veggie faves are in order.
 
Bean said:
Albus fell about 3 inches out of my hand onto the floor last night, he must of landed funny because he's limping and dragging one of his hind legs.
We phoned the normal vet and no reply, called the emergency number and the guy literally said 'put him in his cage and see tommorow, its just a pig'
so if it had been a cat or dog we would of been able to get him treated grrrr

He's at the vets now and they will call me once they have a look at him and see if an xray is needed and what treatment is needed

In 20 odd years of having pigs I have never dropped one, and now its at the very most 3 inches and he's hurt 8... I even had a friend when I was young drop one from chest height and he was perfectly fine, I just dont get it

I want to kill the guy on the emergency phone line 'just a pig' pow-pow
Click to expand...

I cannot believe a vet would say that! How dare he imply a guinea pigs life is not important? You should make a complain about him. Piece of crap.grrrr
 
Bean said:
Its broken.

She gave us two options; surgury to pin it or painkillers and a small cage.
I asked her opinion and she said the surgury, and that with the rest he would have very limited use of the leg.

We went with the surgury. Even though he's small, I know theres a risk, but I dont think letting him suffer and it hopfully healing enough so he can move around is fair. Especially with the way he was holding it.

She said he was showing no signs of pain unless she directly touched the knee. Just goes to show how much they hide these things.

So upset, cant stop crying. I know it was an accident but I just cant stop feeling that I hurt him.
Click to expand...

Please do not blame yourself. Accidents happen and this was not your fault at all. It was such a little fall and usually it would not have caused any harm. He will soon be better and back with you.
 
I'm glad he's now home and on the way to recovery!

Please don't beat yourself up about it, I've seen my pigs jump higher than that and be fine! Younger pigs normally have springier bones so it's rare to break something; he must have landed awkwardly! Definitely not your fault!

Lots of wheeky healing vibes from me and the gang!
 
Awww, glad your vet was so helpful ( I feel like smacking the emergency one...grrrr ). Don't feel bad, you know accidents happen and you're doing everything for him. Hope he's feeling better soon.
Big huggles and wheeks for Albus from Wallace, Rocket, Yoshi and Moonpig.
x
 
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