Kawaii's Foot

**RubyPiggie2** · #1 10-04-05, 08:13 pm

I'll get straight to the point..Kawaii isn't moving much and when I tried to get her out, she hopped around on three legs.. When she walked on one of her back legs the foot would bend. I looked at it and noticed two long nails (not curling over or anything) and hadn't realized I missed those when I clipped nails. I took her out and clipped them, but I don't know if that was enough.
Should I wait a few days or so to make a vet appointment, because I don't want to waste 50-100$ if it was just the longer nails that did that... Could it have just been those nails? I'm worried about her and want her to get better.

**aqh88** · #2 10-04-05, 09:05 pm

Bend how? Normally, too far, in an odd place? Does she seem uncomfortable if you bend it or pull it straight(do so gently and slowly)? Can you feel the bones and compare them to the other leg? Is she walking normally now? Broken legs and dislocated joints aren't entirely uncommon amongst guinea pigs. Their short legs are pretty sturdy but not invincible when they decide to do something silly. Those would be the 2 emergency situations. Other possible injuries like a sprained joint or pulled muscle might or might not require a vet visit.

**RubyPiggie2** · #3 10-04-05, 09:30 pm

She dosen't squeal or anything when I pull on her foot.. It's just when she walks her foot kind of bends to under her foot, and she limps. She dosen't squeal or anything about it.. I'm going to see tomorrow morning if she's better or not.

**RubyPiggie2** · #4 10-04-05, 09:49 pm

She gets irritated only when I touch the part just beside the nipples, where the leg meets. I don't know why, but she does a "Stop touching me or I'll get pissed" type of squeak when I touch her there, on BOTH sides. Could it just be that she dosen't like being touched there never? If she's not okay by tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to call my vet.

**cavy-cool-crazy** · #5 10-05-05, 07:02 am

Tuppy squeals when I touch her belly area too - some pigs just don't like it. From what you're saying I think Kawaii may have landed funny on her back leg and jarred the joint where the leg meets the belly, which may be causing the pain. If she is still limping and is in pain in the morning then I would make an appointment to make sure nothing too bad has happened.

**aqh88** · #6 10-05-05, 06:38 pm

If it's on both sides she probably just doesn't like being touched there. If the foot bends too far then it could be she pulled or damaged the muscle and/or connective tissue going down the back of her leg. The parts that pull the leg straight or keep it from bending. That would also interfere a little with her stepping forward and lifting it up so she would have an obvious limp. I'd take her to the vet if she keeps limping. Minor injuries usually improve within about 48hrs. If it was a horse I could tell you how to find exactly what tissue is injured but guinea pigs have a bit shorter legs and a few anatomical differences. It at least doesn't sound like she tore anything or did a very severe injury and should heal fine but may need a little help to speed it up and eliminate any chance of it healing incorrectly.

**tankintheair315** · #7 10-05-05, 06:55 pm

When I first got my pigger she got spooked and jumped out of my hands

. She hurt her foot and when I took her in she gave me some pain killers and she turned out fine, dont worry

.

**RubyPiggie2** · #8 10-06-05, 09:25 pm

Well, 48 hours later or so she's still limping. Barely moving in the cage (it's very large anyways, the girls don't really run in it, just waddle slowly from place to place) and staying in the igglo or tunnel. I put food next to her so she dosen't have to reach, and her coat is getting oddly messy. I can't take her in till Saturday or maybe even tomorrow, because I'll have to get an xray most likely and my mom isn't sure letting me take money out of my bank account to pay for the vet visit. I'm calling tomorrow to try and get an estimate.

I'm pretty wrecked up over this, I'm always checking on her and I feel miserable becuase she looks and most likely feels miserable. Any ideas on helping her get better?

**aqh88** · #9 10-06-05, 10:20 pm

All the vets around here will take credit cards or work out a payment plan. I've never been to a vet you had to pay right away and I just pay with the credit card anyway. Then pay it off at the end of the month. Credit cards exist for emergency such as this one. About all you can do to help is make it so she doesn't have to move much and she has a comfortable place to lay. Try to keep her house clean. It sounds like she's starting to feel alot of pain and there aren't really guinea pig pain meds over the counter. A little ice or cold pack might help but make sure it's not too cold or on too long because guinea pigs can't tell you when it starts to feel too cold.

**RubyPiggie2** · #10 10-06-05, 10:23 pm

My mom won't use her credit card.. She dosen't care enough about my guinea pigs. I'm the only one in my entire family that loves animals, really. I'm going to try the ice pack.. And the cage is totally clean, I just cleaned it a few days ago. I think I'm going to put her in one of my old pet store cages so she dosen't have to move around. Do you think that would stress her out too much though?
I'm going down to see them right now, so tomorrow I'll just call the vets and see an estimate... And ask if I can work out a payment plan.

**aqh88** · #11 10-06-05, 10:31 pm

Generally it's best to leave guinea pigs together unless the other guinea pigs are causing one to be more injured or stressed out. Guinea pigs kept alone are less likely to eat, more easily scared, and get lonely. When you have a sick or injured guinea pig the last thing you want is to do something that might lessen their appetite.

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