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Leg amputation in piggies - does anyone have any experience?

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Teejay

Teejay

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi all, I won't go into too many details, but we have a young boar, Herbie, coming to stay with us tomorrow who suffered a broken leg about 10 days ago. I think it's one of his front legs.

The vet has been treating the break since it happened, but he/she now believes that Herbie is in a lot of pain, so the decision has been made to amputate the leg. The operation is going ahead tomorrow, and we're collecting Herbie from his owners shortly after he's been discharged from the vets.

Although I have bucket-loads of experience of caring for sick piggies (and buns/chins/rats for that matter :{) I really have no idea what to expect with a recent amputee.

I'm assuming that his wound will be uncovered (how on earth would you bandage a guinea pig?), and of course, we'll keep his cage as clean as humanly possible to prevent the risk of infection. I also know that he'll require syring feeding (not a problem in the slightest) and very close monitoring.

To be honest, I'm very surprised that the vet has decided to go with the amputation, I would have expected them to suggest PTS (and, of course, there's always a chance that poor Herbie won't survive the operaton/anaesthetic). I know he's been dropping weight since he suffered the break (he's lost 20g and he's only a tiny boy anyway), so he's not in the best physical condition to undergo an operation. I suspect that the owner has insisted on going for the amputation.

So, does anyone have any experience of caring for a recent amputee guinea pig? What is the likely prognosis for him? Any tips would be gratefully welcomed.

Tracey
 
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I would guess as it's a front leg he'll probably cope quite well. Once the pain and distrss of the break has gone I'd hope he perks up and feels a bit more like eating.

In terms of keeping it covered probably making him a wee vest type thing out of some tubular bandage would be the best way but not sure it'd stay on long.

It will just be him lying on it and picking it that will be a problem. Make sure he's gotsomething soft and comfy to lie on so he isn't hardup against it when he lies down.

I guess you'll just have to see how he goes...
 
I can't offer any medical care advice, however I know someone who has a 3-legged guinea pig, not amputated but suspected that she was born with only 3 legs. She gets on very well, and to look at her you wouldn't even suspect she has 3 legs - she's a very 'healthy' (read 'large' :) ) girl and positions her remaining front leg in the middle of her body to balance her weight evenly.

Providing he gets through the anaesthetic and operation, and subsequent post-op care, he should be able to cope very well with whatever life has in store for him.

It's only amputated rear legs which would cause a problem with guinea pigs, as that's where most of their weight is. Tbh, in the same situation I would probably have gone for a front leg amputation if I felt that there was a good prognosis.

I hope the op goes as smoothly as possible for him.
 
MerryPip said:
I would guess as it's a front leg he'll probably cope quite well. Once the pain and distrss of the break has gone I'd hope he perks up and feels a bit more like eating.

In terms of keeping it covered probably making him a wee vest type thing out of some tubular bandage would be the best way but not sure it'd stay on long.

It will just be him lying on it and picking it that will be a problem. Make sure he's gotsomething soft and comfy to lie on so he isn't hardup against it when he lies down.

I guess you'll just have to see how he goes...
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Hi Rach, thanks for your reply.

I actually have a bad vibe about this whole thing....he's having the op done at a vets' that don't have the best reputation (I personally know of two rabbits that have died under anaesthetic there recently :().

I'm keeping everything crossed, but I've been trying to gently prepare the owners just in case the worst happens :(

But, assuming all goes well and he comes to stay tomorrow, we're planning to bed him on double thickness vetbed with a lovely squishy cuddle cup on top. We have the Critical Care ready and waiting for him, and we know what he likes to eat (he's stayed before) so we have a fridge full of nommy treats.

I've got some Tubigrip somewhere, so when I can have a good look at what dressing he has on from the vet (if any), I could perhaps fashion him a little vest to keep the dressing or the wound clean.

Tracey x
 
Ooh back leg is not good.... Is he a lone boy or does he have a cage mate? That will make a difference too. A rear leg is a big loss but there are piggies out there who manage...

Maybe I need to branch out into piggy prosthetics!


I really hope he makes it through the aneasthetic ok. Let us know what happens.
 
No experience or knowledge in this field, but wanted to send some good luck vibes to the little chap x
 
It surprises me that the vet wantas to do this as well. Although I have heard of amputation before. I think re bandage it will need to be wrappesd around his lower half initially. I think as well given how close to the ground piggie are, you might find that he will cope better than dogs for example. Also with piggies if they unbalance there isnt much room to fall so I guess it is quite safe. I think the main struggly will be with healing and patience to learn to walk again. I wonder if there is such a things as "piggiotherapy"
 
hazeyg said:
It surprises me that the vet wantas to do this as well. Although I have heard of amputation before. I think re bandage it will need to be wrappesd around his lower half initially. I think as well given how close to the ground piggie are, you might find that he will cope better than dogs for example. Also with piggies if they unbalance there isnt much room to fall so I guess it is quite safe. I think the main struggly will be with healing and patience to learn to walk again. I wonder if there is such a things as "piggiotherapy"
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I was thinking about how to keep the wound clean.....I'd imagine it'd be difficult to bandage that area, as it could possibly interfere with his pooing and peeing?

I also agree that the healing will be a concern.....as he's so young, I'm sure he'll quickly adapt to having three legs.

We'll see....I'm really keeping everything crossed for the poor little fella's operation tomorrow, but I have this niggly feeling that it's going to be a long road to recovery for him.

I'm willing him to get through the op and recover well, but, horrible though it sounds, I'm not sure that this is the best course of action for him, to be honest. I'm definitely in two minds.

x
 
When my Marble had MRSA in her leg it would not get better and they were going to amputate it. They reassured me she would manage fine. Sadly she never made it to the operation but I agreed as it was better then the pain she was in.
 
There is a member on here who has a 3 legged piggy because it was amputated after a fall - cant remember who it was though - I will check back through my old pm and see if I have the name - I pretty sure that there has also been another member with a 3 legged pggy due to amputation - I will post back if i can find out.
 
TAN said:
There is a member on here who has a 3 legged piggy because it was amputated after a fall - cant remember who it was though - I will check back through my old pm and see if I have the name - I pretty sure that there has also been another member with a 3 legged pggy due to amputation - I will post back if i can find out.
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That'd be brilliant, many thanks

Tracey x
 
I have seen a whole story somewhere of a piggy who has a trolley to help her get about, but she can only use it for short bursts on flat surfaces. I think it was on guinealynx (as thats the only place i can think i was browsing!) so might be worth asking them on there. It was a very impressive set up.
 
One of my girls had to have her broken leg pinned because it was an extremely bad break, I can't help but wonder how bad his poor little leg must be for them to be amputating it :... and I feel very thankful for my vet ")
I really hope this little guy pulls through, very best wishes and healing vibes xx>>> xx>>> xx>>>
 
Connie said:
I have seen a whole story somewhere of a piggy who has a trolley to help her get about, but she can only use it for short bursts on flat surfaces. I think it was on guinealynx (as thats the only place i can think i was browsing!) so might be worth asking them on there. It was a very impressive set up.
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I'll have a look out of curiosity, but assuming all goes well with the operation, he'll be a long way off any kind of rehab like that while he's staying with me!

Many thanks, TRacey x
 
MandFpiggies said:
One of my girls had to have her broken leg pinned because it was an extremely bad break, I can't help but wonder how bad his poor little leg must be for them to be amputating it :... and I feel very thankful for my vet ")
I really hope this little guy pulls through, very best wishes and healing vibes xx>>> xx>>> xx>>>
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In my experience, I'd only trust one local vet to perform an operation like that on a guinea pig. I really don't think most vets know one end of a guinea pig from the other, and the vets the owner is using is one with a pretty poor reputation :( I'm not too hopeful, to be honest, but I'm trying to stay positive when I speak with the owner.

Thanks for the best wishes and the healing vibes x
 
hazeyg said:
It surprises me that the vet wantas to do this as well. Although I have heard of amputation before. I think re bandage it will need to be wrappesd around his lower half initially. I think as well given how close to the ground piggie are, you might find that he will cope better than dogs for example. Also with piggies if they unbalance there isnt much room to fall so I guess it is quite safe. I think the main struggly will be with healing and patience to learn to walk again. I wonder if there is such a things as "piggiotherapy"
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I'm a physiotherapist....maybe i can branch out into piggiotherapy! lol
 
Well, the little fella has made it through the op! All those good vibes obviously did the trick, thank you all!

So, now the hard work begins....we're collecting him at about 6 this evening so I'll know then exactly what's what.

Fingers crossed we can get through this immediate post-op period without incident :{

There have got to be easier ways of making a living than this! @)

Tracey x
 
Teejay said:
Well, the little fella has made it through the op! All those good vibes obviously did the trick, thank you all!

So, now the hard work begins....we're collecting him at about 6 this evening so I'll know then exactly what's what.

Fingers crossed we can get through this immediate post-op period without incident :{

There have got to be easier ways of making a living than this! @)

Tracey x
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Hope it all goes well, can't believe they'd be leaving him straight after his op.... But he will be in the safest hands with you.
x
 
aww poor fella, hope he settles and heals well, hopefully get a peek guys, as am going to teejays on saturday ;)
 
As folk have said, at least they are leaving him with you and Noel and not some random house sitter or something.

Just do your best and so far everyone that comes to you, problems or not has thrived so you've got a good track record!

Get well soon little Herbie and I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay. x
 
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