Fractures in guinea pigs

Fractures in guinea pigs can occur for a number of reasons. The most common cause is careless handling and household injuries. For example, the pig fell from a great height, the pig was crushed, it was harmed by other pets or children.

Symptoms of fractures in guinea pigs:

• swelling,
• strong pain,
• an increase in local temperature,
• lameness.

If the paw is broken, the pig will limp or stop moving altogether, perhaps it will squeak in pain, lose its appetite.

An open fracture will damage soft tissue. 

If there is a suspicion of a fracture or injury, the first step is to place the pig in a quiet, small and enclosed space. This is the only case when the statement “the smaller the cage, the better” has the right to exist!

For any fracture, you should contact your veterinarian to set up the correct design (X-ray) and apply a cast. With an open fracture, the wound is first treated, and then a plaster cast is applied. For open fractures, a bandage is applied so that the wound remains open for daily treatment.

The plaster bandage is removed after 3 weeks, and if the fusion has not occurred, then the bandage is applied again.