As you can imagine a broken leg can be very painful for a guinea pig, it can even end up killing it, without the right treatment. There are ways to prevent this from happening in the first place, that I am going to go through in this article. Please do not be hard on yourself if it happens, accidents occur. Just make sure you follow steps in making sure that there is less chance of your guinea pigs breaking a leg.

A Bone Fracture

A fracture is the same as a broken bone, it just depends on how serious the situation is. Simple fractures have no wounds visible and are simply a broken bone. These can be treated, if it has been broken for a long time and at an awkward angle, then it would be difficult to treat.

Compound fractures are a different story though, this is where the bone is sticking out from the skin or there is a wound along with the broken bone. There is a stronger risk unfortunately of infection.

Why has my guinea pig got a broken leg?

The main culprit can be where children are not handling the guinea pig properly. There needs to be supervision at all times from a responsible adult, showing them how to handle or being shown by an experienced owner for example how to handle safely. Being dropped from a height, held too tightly, jumping from your arms and getting stepped on are reasons why the guinea pig can break it’s leg. That is why it’s always best to handle on the floor in case. Tell everyone in the house that the guinea pigs are out, if you have them free roaming around, so they are not going to step on them.

Of course it’s not just children, but they could get caught up in a metal sphere hay feeder, for that reason they are dangerous to use. Other items can be too small for them to fit into and falling down a hutch ramp for whatever reason can be causes. Remove anything where they could potentially break a leg or injure themselves.

It is really important and crucial that a guinea pig receives a good diet just like any of us, so the bones are strong. In old age there can be more risk of broken bones, where if they are struggling to get up the ramp in a hutch, it is best to move them into a one floor level cage.

What if my guinea pig has a broken a leg?

Take to the vets straight away if it isn’t walking properly or there is a leg injury visible. It may not be an emergency, but it is painful to them nonetheless.

X-rays will be performed at the vets or may not even be necessary for a broken leg. Pain relief will be subscribed and a splint fitted to the leg or if more serious, surgery. If surgery and a splint does not work or the leg has been broken for a few days, then the leg will be amputated. Guinea pigs can do just fine with three legs, they will adapt. If the cost for you is to dear for your guinea pig to have a leg amputation, then euthanasia may be discussed or to give your guinea pig to someone else or a rescue centre, who can afford the cost.

Thank you for reading my article, please feel free to leave a comment below and I will reply back as soon as possible. 

Source: https://www.thesprucepets.com/broken-guinea-pig-legs-1238879

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