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Probably not the right thread, looking for some reassurance mostly. I have a young guinea pig, about 6 months old, who has a broken hind leg, I took him to an exotics vet, he got a radiograph, the break is right above his ankle. They said that splinting it might cause more harm, if it heals straight, he might not be able to use the leg normally afterwards. They gave him a simple bandage around the joint, and a weeks worth of Meticam. He wiggled out of the bandage the 2nd day, which they warned me would probably happen. They said it was a stable fracture, and that he would probably heal on his own with limited movement. He has been eating, drinking, pooping ect. pretty normally. I've had him in solitary confinement since the break, in a small petstore cage, and he still moves around to eat and drink, so he seems to be doing alright... It's been 5 days since his accident, his checkup is supposed to be July 1st. Does anyone have any advice? Should I ask for another bandage or splint? The vet said that a pin wouldn't be nesessary. I just want to make sure he will heal up and live to his fullest.
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Jun 14, 2017 07:41
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| # ¿ May 9, 2024 01:05 |
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Thanks for the reply, I guess I was just wondering if anyone else had experiences with broken bones in a small animal. I looked around on some other sites, but alot of the threads I found were from younger people who's parents didn't want to take the pig to the vet at all, so I didn't really find an answer to how well their animal healed. It's not that I don't trust the vet, just that this is the first time I've had guinea pigs, and I've never delt with a broken bone, so I'm probably overthinking it. He has been pretty perky today, wheeking for food and attention, so I think it's affecting me, more than him.
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Jun 15, 2017 07:41
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Coleslaw is doing great! His leg seems to be healing fine, I saw him using it to scratch himself, so I gave him a bit of floor time. He is still favoring it some, but he's running about like a mad man, just so happy to have some space to move! He still has a week in his little cage before his checkup, so I'm still going to play it safe, but it gives me a lot of hope to see him doing so well. Can't wait until I have to deep-clean the cage and manage his re-introduction with with his buddy, Copper. They've been talking to eachother the whole time though, so hopefully it goes smoothly!
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Jun 24, 2017 04:16
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I have an honest, emotional question to ask. My buddy Coleslaw is dying. He's an old man, almost 7 years old and has a huge tumor on his neck. It has been growing rapidly this last month. He still gets up to eat and drink, and doesn't seem to be in any pain, but he lost his sqeak this week and it's more of a wheeze now. I'm worried it will suffocate him soon. Again, he's old and I knew it was going to happen eventually but I'm torn between letting him die at home and having him put down. His cage mate is the same age and won't leave his side. He mostly just sleeps and isn't in any obvious distress but I've been bawling my rear end off trying to decide what is right. I'd give him a week at most, but I'd have to put him in the freezer if he passes before my next day off and the thought makes me want to puke. I don't have a ton of money and at his age I know he wouldn't make it though anesthesia for surgery anyway so that's not in consideration. I just...don't know what to do. I've been giving him watermelon and pets..he'll probably pass here I just needed to vent.
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Jul 31, 2023 04:24
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I know it's the correct thing to do. But it sucks. I love that little bastard. I don't want him to suffer, but that little voice in the back of my head keeps saying 'what if he isn't suffering? What if he's OK with going out on his favorite pillow? How am I going to explain to the kids thier little goldfish cracker sneaking buddy isn't around anymore?' What am I going to do with Copper? Nobody wants to adopt a 7 year old pig. They've been together since I got them. He'd just be a lonely single pig one way or the other. poo poo sucks but yeah he had a great life for a Petsmart pig. He used to fit in the palm of my hand, now he's the size of my forearm. Just a good, good boy all around and a lovely outcome either way.
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Jul 31, 2023 05:52
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Well, he didn't squawk or try to get away when I picked him up and rubbed him down the other day, so he gets to continue trooping on for now. He even got up to rattle the cage and wheeze at me this morning for fresh hay before I left for work so he must be feeling alright. But seriously thanks for the condolences and thoughts everyone it means alot.
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Aug 2, 2023 20:32
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So...this is how you sex a guinea pig. Hold them in one hand, with the other place a thumb on thier belly, gently press towards their genitals. If it's a male, the penis should pop out. You can tell this at a pretty young age. This also works for rabbits. Thank you high-school agriculture class, not sure how your vet missed it.
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Sep 26, 2023 13:15
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2 males can be fine in the same cage, if you give them the space. They will squabble and fight, no doubt. You may see blood. But it isn't usually fatal and you'll have to monitor them. A good first aid kit may come in handy
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Sep 26, 2023 13:22
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When I got mine, they would get into tussle, pull hair, and shriek like banshee. But, I always made sure to watch them, so when that happened, I could intervene. They both got a good chunk out of the other's ear. Pretty bloody, but nothing some toilet paper and a good stypict pencil couldn't handle. Good treats and lots of food and water in seperate parts of the cage helps a lot when bonding boars. It CAN work, but it can also be difficult. In thier old age they don't give a gently caress and snuggle, but Copper still has first rights to fresh veggies.
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Sep 26, 2023 16:58
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Ok Comboomer posted:It’s difficult to sex rabbits that way without risking more serious injury to their gi tract, or especially their lower spine. I should have stated that you should never, ever, hold them by the scruff, always cradle them like the sweet babies they are. I was in the FFA and showed rabbits, it's brutal how some people handle it. But you can tell by looking at the genital opening
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Sep 26, 2023 17:13
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https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/guineapigs/sexing#HowToHold This should help anyone with sexing pigs. Look for an i in males, and a Y for females. I'm really just trying to help, this is as close to the guide I used back in the day that I could find. Rodents are so prolific, it can happen so fast. I hope your new vet is better!
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Sep 27, 2023 14:17
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It's kind of gross, nobody wants to be known as the rodent dick toucher. But it's a fact of thier lives and I know about it, it's important information.
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Sep 30, 2023 01:04
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Ok Comboomer posted:never spent much time in farm country, have you I've castrated lambs and docked tails, and been armpit deep inside a cow. So...yes.
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Sep 30, 2023 21:26
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Yep, sexed chicks myself. You get used to it after awhile. We raised chickens too. I think it's too late to use any of the collage credits from that class anymore, but I've always been raised around livestock.
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Sep 30, 2023 21:32
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If I were you, I'd separate them asap. Top definitly looks female. Bottom 3 have testicles decending. I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but they have no qualms mating within their family. You could get them all fixed if you want to keep them, but it's expensive, as you know. I wish I had better advice.
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Oct 14, 2023 22:31
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| # ¿ May 9, 2024 01:05 |
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^ yeah... The great thing about guinea pigs is that they're born precocious. It's better to be safe than sorry. Honestly if you were closer to middle Iowa I'd check them out myself for free, but that's not feasible. I really wish I could help more. I'd still set up separate pens. Treecko fucked around with this message at 10:08 on Oct 15, 2023 |
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Oct 15, 2023 10:02
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