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Worried Cavy-slave Mommy!

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QueenCupcake

QueenCupcake

Junior Guinea Pig
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Arkadelphia, Arkansas, USA
I have a boy piggie named Sheldon who is very well cared for. He was a rescue from a bad home and is spoiled. I know I need 2 but I don't have the space now so I make sure he had toys and stuff to cuddle and plenty of floor time and cuddles. So last night he was walking back and forth between me and the arm of the couch. This isn't abnormal and he usually wanders a little during cuddles. I had moved him back several times and he seemed to be just chillen and not doing anything and then he jumped off! I freaked out and checked him for injuries several times. He is eating fine, drinking fine, not making pained noises, running, hopping, playing, everything and ignored my checking him this morning. However when I just checked him after he ran laps in his cage then he seems against me touching his front right leg from the joint up to the side some. The foot he doesn't care and the upper side he doesn't. But if I touch the wrong spot he tries to bite me. He isn't hiding it from me because he has that side pressed to my face right now. I don't know if something is wrong or not. He wasn't previously sensitive of that area because he had a cut there when I rescued him and I had to clean and care for it till it healed. Should I be worried?
 
Personally, if it was me, I'd keep an eye on it for another 24 hours and see if it improves. If he's still weight baring and running around on it, eating and drinking fine then i wouldn't be too worried just yet. He could have just banged or strained it. Obviously no advice can replace that of a vet so it may be worth giving them a call and just asking for some professional advice, but that's what i'd do. If there is no improvement in 24 hours or it gets worse it would be a quick vet check up for me.
 
He may have a slight sprain if he landed funny. I would speak to a vet and ask about a short course of anti-inflammatories like Metacam or Ibuprofen (which is in my Amercian Exotic Animal Formulary).
 
Guys I am really really worried. I made an appointment with our local exotics vet which is in the next town but he won't be in office till Friday. We have an appointment to go but I need some reassurance that Sheldon will be okay. He is still eating, drinking, pooing, peeing, running, and stuff but I am very worried because he will try to attack my hand if I go near his sides or even if it's just laying close to him sometimes. I have felt him all over and I think his front legs/shoulders may be sore but other than decrease floor time and give him a chance to rest until we go to the vet idk what to do! I am just so upset about this.
 
I would stop panicking if I was you! As long as Sheldon is putting on weight on this leg and is not hobbling, it is likely only a minor sprain and it will likely heal on its own within a few days. Sprains are not that rare when piggies popcorn or jump and land awkwardly.
 
Some piggies make to very clear when they do not like being touched somewhere and others are more submissive about it; it is often a matter of personality.

There is likely to be some mild inflammation from the sprain, but the significant bit is that he is still perfectly able to move around without limping and that he is putting on weight on his foot; that means that the problem is in the range of discomfort but not serious pain. If he had sustained any major injury, you would have noticed straight away. If he had sustained an injury to his spine, you would also see a clear deterioration within 24-48 hours after a fall/bad landing.

Sprains can take their time to heal off, sometimes it can take over a week. ;)
 
No harm in taking him to the vet if you're anxious about him, better safe than sorry. Plus the vet can do a health check on him :) all the best.
 
QueenCupcake said:
I know I can get over dramatic but I would rather be safe than sorry
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Hi I remember reading your story when you joined and about going on holiday and leaving your other half In charge of your little fella etc (if I'm right in thinking :hmm: Lol)
It's because you love him and care a lot about him that's why your worrying and that's just normal. I agree with jess about getting a health check done when you go to the vets on friday they should check his weight, boy bits, fur, skin, teeth plus the inside of his mouth for food storage and the vet will hear his heart and tummy :)
I would go and say you have brought him for a health check up then say about his foot/leg if this is the first time you have taken him to the vet.
 
If it helps, my boy is like this. If you give him a chin rub he tries to savage you! He hates parts of him being touched but loves a good head rub. I took him to the vets I was so worried and she said there was nothing wrong with him other than he knows what he likes! (She is a guinea savvy vet) Cheeky chap! I guess some are just more sensitive than others. Maybe it's a boy thing? All my girls adore chin rubs and go totally soppy!

Get him checked to be on the safe side though if it makes you feel happier. I was glad I did. Now I just know not to stroke him where he hates it.
 
I think he's find Hun he would be not sit like this and let you fuss him if he was in pain I'm sure :) keep an eye for any swelling etc if you think he has done something to that leg ring the vets and see if they have a cancelled appointment before Friday, I think you will be reassured once the vet has seen him.
I'm never sure is mine are teeth chattering or just eating the food they have stored at the back of their mouths, they don't make any noise they just look like their chewing.
 
Okay guys the vet visit is tomorrow and I want to make sure I have planned appropriatly for the drive since it is an hour there and back. I plan to use a thick cardboard box or plastic container. I will make sure it is has enough room and that the sides are high enough he can't jump out. I was gonna put down a towel and then a fleece and give him some hay in there and attach his floor time water bottle to the box. I am also gonna put one of his hides inside, either ones I made or his plastic one. I am gonna stick his stuffed animal in so he will recognize his own scent. I will take a towel to cover at least half the top of the box so the air won't get him cold and he won't get too much sun. I am gonna take some veggies packed to stay cool for him for after the vet so he has a treat. Then home to have a normal night. Sound good? Any instructions welcome. I have only ever had him in the car twice before and it wasn't this long a distance.
 
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