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Possible fracture - advice needed

caseypig

caseypig

New Born Pup
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Hello,

I have an old boar of around 5 1/2 years who has a bad right ankle, I noticed him not putting any weight on it last night. I took him to the vets this morning and they say it's swollen but to know if it's a fracture or sprain they would need to do an X-ray under anesthesia. Because of the risk I declined and opted for pain meds to see if it improves (in case it is a sprain). But I'm questioning if this is the right thing to do. I'll monitor him closely for the next few days and hope for an improvement. Any advice?
 
caseypig said:
Hello,

I have an old boar of around 5 1/2 years who has a bad right ankle, I noticed him not putting any weight on it last night. I took him to the vets this morning and they say it's swollen but to know if it's a fracture or sprain they would need to do an X-ray under anesthesia. Because of the risk I declined and opted for pain meds to see if it improves (in case it is a sprain). But I'm questioning if this is the right thing to do. I'll monitor him closely for the next few days and hope for an improvement. Any advice?
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Hi!

Without an x-ray under minimal anaesthesia (just as much as necessary to drape him in a couple of different positions and keep him still for a minute or two, all you can unfortunately do is wait and see.

Keep your boy as quiet and comfy as possible and look after the bum area as he won't be able to clean himself. change the bedding/cosy he is sitting on at least twice daily and give with a gentle bum wipe to prevent urine scald from sitting in his faeces.
Please hay (which is making over 80% of the daily food intake) within his reach, as well as water.

What kind of painkiller and how much have you been given (cat or dog metacam etc.)?
 
Ok thanks for the advice, I forgot about his bum area. He's able to hobble around with his 3 good legs but I'll make sure hay, water, pellets and fresh food are within easy reach. He's been given dog metacam. I'll take him to the cat and rabbit clinic if there's no improvement in a couple of days. I've removed his ramp, I'm still not sure how he managed it 😔
 
caseypig said:
Ok thanks for the advice, I forgot about his bum area. He's able to hobble around with his 3 good legs but I'll make sure hay, water, pellets and fresh food are within easy reach. He's been given dog metacam. I'll take him to the cat and rabbit clinic if there's no improvement in a couple of days. I've removed his ramp, I'm still not sure how he managed it 😔
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It just takes one bad twist. All the best with his bad ankle!
 
There hasn't been any improvement from what I can see - he's still putting very little weight on it and trying to lift it off the floor when he's lying down. He's able to limp around the cage to get his food and hay, and is still doing healthy poos on the metacam. If it was a sprain there'd be some improvement after 2/3 days wouldn't there? I've booked him into Larkmead vets in Didcot as they are able to see him today and I don't want him to have to wait until after the Easter weekend. I couldn't get Ginny but Ginny has recommended her colleague John who is senior vet there. Does anyone else has experience with the Larkmead vets? Or know John's experience with guinea pigs?
 
caseypig said:
There hasn't been any improvement from what I can see - he's still putting very little weight on it and trying to lift it off the floor when he's lying down. He's able to limp around the cage to get his food and hay, and is still doing healthy poos on the metacam. If it was a sprain there'd be some improvement after 2/3 days wouldn't there? I've booked him into Larkmead vets in Didcot as they are able to see him today and I don't want him to have to wait until after the Easter weekend. I couldn't get Ginny but Ginny has recommended her colleague John who is senior vet there. Does anyone else has experience with the Larkmead vets? Or know John's experience with guinea pigs?
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Sorry, sadly no experience with the vet you are seeing, but good that you are seeing a vet!
 
Hello! Great news - John gave him a thorough look/feel over and apparently the swelling has gone down to the point where he could hardly feel it. He thinks it just needs to more rest plus the metacam for pain relief and to bring down the swelling. Fingers crossed he's going to be ok.
 
caseypig said:
Hello! Great news - John gave him a thorough look/feel over and apparently the swelling has gone down to the point where he could hardly feel it. He thinks it just needs to more rest plus the metacam for pain relief and to bring down the swelling. Fingers crossed he's going to be ok.
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Good news indeed!
 
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