Guinea Pig Fell On His Back.

[Starboy]

I feel absolutely awful.I was holding my adult guinea pig, Mr.Igloo, intending to put him back in his cage after letting my mother pet him and his new friend. As I was holding him, he started moving and he fell on the wooden floor, on his back. He started screaming. It lasted for a few seconds but it felt like forever. His mouth bled a little, but there are no broken teeth. I think he either bit his tongue or hurt his lip. He seems in shock, but I checked for broken bones and there doesnt seem to be any. I am worried about brain/nerve damage though. He walks normally and even sprints, but I'm just so worried. I currently cant take him to a vet, but I'm going to do so tomorrow. I gave him water and fed him some lettuce. He took a couple of bites, which was good.

 

[Wiebke]

I feel absolutely awful.I was holding my adult guinea pig, Mr.Igloo, intending to put him back in his cage after letting my mother pet him and his new friend. As I was holding him, he started moving and he fell on the wooden floor, on his back. He started screaming. It lasted for a few seconds but it felt like forever. His mouth bled a little, but there are no broken teeth. I think he either bit his tongue or hurt his lip. He seems in shock, but I checked for broken bones and there doesnt seem to be any. I am worried about brain/nerve damage though. He walks normally and even sprints, but I'm just so worried. I currently cant take him to a vet, but I'm going to do so tomorrow. I gave him water and fed him some lettuce. He took a couple of bites, which was good.

Please keep him quiet, warm (but not hot) and calm so he can recover from his shock. He will hopefully not have taken any permanent damage. Make sure that the vet checks his spine tomorrow; injuries to it often manifest only a day or two later. You need to see a vet promptly if you notice paralysis in the back legs.

Here are our tips on how to best avoid premature jumping when putting a guinea pig back. If you do it by, please always a guinea pig in the cage with his bum forward. If it jumps, it will do so against your body and not a hard surface.
It is however much better yo use a coveyance that prevents any jumping at all, like the ones shown in out guide: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

 

[Starboy]

Please keep him quiet, warm (but not hot) and calm so he can recover from his shock. He will hopefully not have taken any permanent damage. Make sure that the vet checks his spine tomorrow; injuries to it often manifest only a day or two later. You need to see a vet promptly if you notice paralysis in the back legs.

Here are our tips on how to best avoid premature jumping when putting a guinea pig back. If you do it by, please always a guinea pig in the cage with his bum forward. If it jumps, it will do so against your body and not a hard surface.
It is however much better yo use a coveyance that prevents any jumping at all, like the ones shown in out guide: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

I'm looking out for any signs of paralysis. I'll be watching him frequently for the rest few days to make sure he is okay. Do you think it's normal that he isn't making any noise? Is this something I should worry about, or is it just because of the shock?

 

[Starboy]

Please keep him quiet, warm (but not hot) and calm so he can recover from his shock. He will hopefully not have taken any permanent damage. Make sure that the vet checks his spine tomorrow; injuries to it often manifest only a day or two later. You need to see a vet promptly if you notice paralysis in the back legs.

Here are our tips on how to best avoid premature jumping when putting a guinea pig back. If you do it by, please always a guinea pig in the cage with his bum forward. If it jumps, it will do so against your body and not a hard surface.
It is however much better yo use a coveyance that prevents any jumping at all, like the ones shown in out guide: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

Also, I forgot to ask. Should I separate him from his friend for a bit, until he's over the shock? I have a tiny cage I could put him in so he can calm down.

 

[Wheekallweek]

I wouldn’t separate them; this may stress him out more wondering where his friend is
I hope he’s ok x

 

[Merab]

Hope he’s ok and it’s just shock .
Keep us posted.

 

[Wiebke]

Also, I forgot to ask. Should I separate him from his friend for a bit, until he's over the shock? I have a tiny cage I could put him in so he can calm down.

No, please leave them together; he needs the support of his friend more than ever when he is not well. Separation means extra stress and not help.

 

[Flutterby]

Fingers crossed he's all ok xx

 

[Starboy]

UPDATE:

He survived the night. He still seems to be walking properly, there is no dragging of back feet or anything. There is no sign of more blood, at least not externally. He still does not make noise though. He does sometimes purr and talk a little, but it's very quiet. How long does shock last for? Will it last for a few more days, or is this a sign that something is internally wrong?

 

[Wiebke]

UPDATE:

He survived the night. He still seems to be walking properly, there is no dragging of back feet or anything. There is no sign of more blood, at least not externally. He still does not make noise though. He does sometimes purr and talk a little, but it's very quiet. How long does shock last for? Will it last for a few more days, or is this a sign that something is internally wrong?

I would recommend to have him vet checked, but hopefully there is just some bruising. It is going to take some days for him to recover from a major fall anyway.

 

[Merab]

Agree with @Wiebke .
It takes a while to get over a shock and a vet check is a good idea.
Thanks for the update - hoping that each day is better