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Post by freelander on Mar 2, 2013 13:11:45 GMT
Could anyone give me some advice on my daughters guinea pig? On monday we found him with his left rear leg stretched out. We have had a vet out to see him but she knew nothing about guinea pigs and had never seen the problem before and advised we have him put to sleep in a few days if he is no better. She said he was in very good health for his age she could not find a fracture he was well hydrated and he is eating and drinking well. He is a very old man 11 years old and seems fine apart from his leg. We have been advised by a guinea pig rescue to give him 0.5 mil osteocare for 7 days. He has been on the osteocare for 2 days but not yet showing any improvement. He is still eating and drinking and we clean his cage every few hours so he is dry. He will not use the leg so we have to take food and water to him. Any help would be very much appreciated as he is like a member of the family.
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Post by jakodi on Mar 3, 2013 2:05:46 GMT
I don't know what the problem is I'd advise to take him to an exotic vet who knows about pigs. But at his age he may not be able to recover the best thing to do may be to put him to sleep. Depends what the new vet says....
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Post by shewolfsilver on Mar 3, 2013 5:06:01 GMT
Awww I hope the old guy recovers! 11 is really old for a guinea pig! I agree I would try to find a vet who knew guinea pigs and see what they say. He's led a very full life for a piggy it might just be his time.
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Post by lisa21264 on Mar 3, 2013 7:11:40 GMT
I agree with everyone else take him to a cavy vet and see what they say. He is 11 years old which is very old for a guinea pig but find out if there is anything they can do for him first. If they cant you may have to have him put to sleep. Its sad I know to lose a dear animal friend but you have to think about his quality of life.
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Post by Kayleigh on Mar 3, 2013 7:40:21 GMT
Im also unsure what would cause a leg to stretch out and not move back into position. Aside from a leg/hip fracture, but the vet should have picked this up.
In my opinion if any animal cannot eat/drink and go to the toilet without us helping then i feel the animals quality of life isnt what it should be and the kindest thing would be to put them to sleep. This is a personal decision that only you can make.
11 is a grand age for a pig so a huge well done for giving him a lovely life for this long.
I do think finding an exotics vet is a good idea just so you can determine what the issue is.
Kayleigh
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Post by Orlaith on Mar 4, 2013 12:13:26 GMT
Wow, eleven is a great age. You must be taking great care of him.
I agree, if you can find an exotic vet that would be ideal. The guinea pig rescue that advised you should know of one fairly local. Did your vet xray him or just examine him? And does it hurt him if you manipulate the leg or does he just seem unable to move it? If it's the latter then the osteocare might kick in in a few days (sometimes pigs can get temporary paralysis of their back legs which is curable with supplements), but if it goes on too long then you may have to make a difficult decision.
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Post by elizabethraws on May 28, 2013 10:36:34 GMT
Could anyone give me some advice on my daughters guinea pig? On monday we found him with his left rear leg stretched out. We have had a vet out to see him but she knew nothing about guinea pigs and had never seen the problem before and advised we have him put to sleep in a few days if he is no better. She said he was in very good health for his age she could not find a fracture he was well hydrated and he is eating and drinking well. He is a very old man 11 years old and seems fine apart from his leg. We have been advised by a guinea pig rescue to give him 0.5 mil osteocare for 7 days. He has been on the osteocare for 2 days but not yet showing any improvement. He is still eating and drinking and we clean his cage every few hours so he is dry. He will not use the leg so we have to take food and water to him. Any help would be very much appreciated as he is like a Member of the family. do not worry too much your pig will recover soon.
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Post by petlover2011 on May 29, 2013 1:49:18 GMT
I hope your piggy gets better. I agree that its a good idea to see another vet. Only you can decide if its time to have him put to sleep. Good luck & keep us posted.
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