Personal Experience Of Hind Limb Amputation.

[Abi_nurse]

Hello all,

I'm just looking for some personal experiences of a hind limb being amputated in a Guinea pig. I have a sow who may well need amputation in the very near future and I wanted to hear people's experiences.

I have a forelimb amputee at the moment and he copes very well. I think a hindlimb should be ok but I'm concerned as my little girl is a little on the chunky side and I want to do what's best for her. Any views would be greatly appreciated. I will be doing the procedure (aneasthesia) myself if I go ahead so the procedure itself I don't have a problem with, especially as I've been involved in many an amputation on many different species. It will be to releave chronic severe pain in the short term as she has cancer which will be terminal. I really don't have a problem with amputation whatsoever and I don't think it should ever be shied away from if it's needed. Just looking for any experience of others.

Thanks anyone in advance.

x

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Aww sorry to hear this. Many years ago when I used to board mine at the CCT there was one there that had had a hind leg removed & apparently he coped very well. Sorry I haven't had personal experience though

 

[Posyrose]

I have experience of a pig who broke her hind leg. I was not offered the option of amputation, but the vet pinned her leg (tiny pins!) and put on an external fixator to keep the bones together as they healed. She was seven but it went well and she was able to use her leg, although was a little stiff. Her break was just by her ankle, which apparently is a difficult place to recover full movement.He wasn't a cavy savvy vet but was an orthopaedics specialist.

She was quite a celebrity in the vet pactice as they had not done this to a guinea pig before and photos of her leg were sent around the different sites of the practice. I guess most owners wouldn't pay that much for 'just a guinea pig'. All in all it wasn't really that expensive as you might think as they gave me quite a hefty discount.I'd definitely recommend this approach if your vet is willing and experienced.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Thank you for your comments. I'm afraid fixing the leg is not an option as the bone cancer has eaten through her knee joint and away at the bones so this is not an option and her days are generally numbered as it's likely the cancer will have spread by now, it's all about keeping her comfortable.

Thanks again,

x

 

[Posyrose]

Oh no; how terrible. I hadn't realised that she had cancer. So sorry that you are going through this; it's heartbreaking.
Sending lots of hugs x