Front Leg Injury

[Lisanjake]

Hi
So this morning I noticed Bella was holding her left paw up, she wasn't really moving about much so I sat and watched her for a while.
she was walking on it but not putting as much weight on it and walking a bit funny.
also she keeps trying to lie down and get comfortable on it but I don't think she can she looks a bit fluffed up and sad too...
shes eating fine so that's good.
Anyway I took her to the emergency vet but unfortunately the exotic vet doesn't work at weekends, so I paid £86 to see someone for 10 minutes who had no idea and told me to come back if she doesn't improve. she gave her an injection for some pain relief (which she was not impressed about lol)

shes still coming out for hay and I'm putting the veggies near her so she doesn't have to walk as far.
anything else I can do for her? or any other advise what she may have done?

heres a little vid of her walking.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
So this morning I noticed Bella was holding her left paw up, she wasn't really moving about much so I sat and watched her for a while.
she was walking on it but not putting as much weight on it and walking a bit funny.
also she keeps trying to lie down and get comfortable on it but I don't think she can she looks a bit fluffed up and sad too...
shes eating fine so that's good.
Anyway I took her to the emergency vet but unfortunately the exotic vet doesn't work at weekends, so I paid £86 to see someone for 10 minutes who had no idea and told me to come back if she doesn't improve. she gave her an injection for some pain relief (which she was not impressed about lol)

shes still coming out for hay and I'm putting the veggies near her so she doesn't have to walk as far.
anything else I can do for her? or any other advise what she may have done?

heres a little vid of her walking.

it is not at all uncommon for a guinea pig to twist or sprain their legs and feet when popcorning or jumping and landing awkwardly. As she is still putting weight on her foot, it means that it is not broken. A sprain can happen at any point from the spine downwards, not just in the foot itself.

She is likely to feel a bit sorry for herself for a day or two, but hopefully go back to normal soon. In more severe cases, a sprain can take a few weeks to heal fully. apart from some painkiller or anti-inflammatory, there is not a lot a vet can do; it is a matter of patience.

It is good that you had her checked in case it was a break.

 

[Lisanjake]

thank you very much for your quick reply.
when do you think I should go back? as she only gave her an injection and nothing else for me to give her...
x

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

Naw, poor piggy Are her feet sore underneath/on the pads? Hope she is well again soon!

 

[helen105281]

I would call the vet in the morning and see if they will let you pick up some oral pain relief for her, such as Metacam.

 

[Wiebke]

thank you very much for your quick reply.
when do you think I should go back? as she only gave her an injection and nothing else for me to give her...
x

If she is still limping as badly on Monday or Tuesday, I would see a vet again. If she is noticeably better and back to her normal self, then you can let her heal on herself, as it is obviously just a light sprain - the equivalent to a twisted ankle or knee.

 

[Lisanjake]

shes worse this morning, wont even walk on it now shes limping and feeling sorry for herself, just makes me sad I cant do anything more to help her at the moment. I'm putting her food and hay near her house - though she does come out but just struggles a bit bless her.
I have tomorrow off work so I will take her to the exotic vet and book an appointment today
Ive found a website I can buy Metacam for like £5, whereas the vet charged me £15 I think for it. could I just order it myself?

 

[helen105281]

You usually need a prescription for Metacam. Would your vet let you call in for it if you explain over the phone? Was the £15 for the injection?

 

[Lisanjake]

okay will do, and no the injection was about £11 and the metacam they charged me £15 for.

 

[helen105281]

So you have oral Metacam already? what dose is she on?

 

[Lisanjake]

ooh sorry no, I got the Metacam a while ago for a different GP (thrown it out now sorry for the confusion)

 

[helen105281]

Ok, that makes sense, in which case yes see if they will let you pick some up.

 

[Lisanjake]

Hiya. Quick update. Just got back and she said it's likely to just be torn ligaments as she's probably caught it on something in the cage and twisted awkwardly.
I've been prescribed .3ml of metacam for a few days then lessen it and see how she goes. Got to go back next week to check how she's getting on