Limb amputation

Amputation (the removal of a limb) can occur for a variety of reasons. Caring for guinea pigs that have lost a limb does require some special care and considerations, but by and large most guinea pigs adapt and cope well with life on three legs.

There are several reasons why your guinea pig may require surgical amputation of a leg:

• A birth defect: this may mean your guinea pig is born with a deformed leg which is either painful or a hindrance to the guinea pig. Either of these situations is likely to necessitate amputation of the affected limb.
• Disease or infection within the bone of the limb: some tumors, although usually rare in guinea pigs, can grow in the bones (osteosarcomas). A deep routed bone infection which is unresponsive to antibiotics is another cause likely to lead to amputation.
• Limb trauma: any trauma to a limb, causing a fracture or irreparable muscle, nerve or soft tissue damage is likely to need amputation. Some fractures are possible to fix, but often require extensive and expensive surgery which isn’t always a financial or surgical option.

Initially after surgery, your guinea pig will be on pain relief and it’s important that the wound is kept clean and dry and not contaminated with urine or feces. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if infection has been present.

It’s important to ensure your guinea pig is eating, drinking and passing urine and feces within a few hours of surgery.

Monitor your guinea pig for signs of pain and infection in the wound. If your guinea pig is in pain it may exhibit signs such as anorexia, loud teeth grinding, unwilling to move around, sitting hunched up with their eyes half closed, uninterested in their surroundings, and resent the wound being touched. Signs of infection in the wound would manifest as a red, inflamed wound which may feel hot to have pus coming from it. If you notice signs of infection or you think your guinea pig is in pain, contact your veterinarian.

Guinea pigs that are missing a limb do require some special care:

• Guinea pigs will need to be kept on soft bedding while they are recovering, avoiding sawdust and wood shavings that could interfere with the wound. If your guinea pig has had a hind limb amputated, it will be more prone to getting pododermatitis (bumblefoot or sore hocks) on the remaining back foot due to the extra weight and pressure exerted on the footpad. Ensure that your guinea pig has plenty of soft bedding and monitor carefully.
• Try and keep your guinea pig at a healthy weight; carrying excess weight will increase the risk of sore hocks and make moving around harder for your guinea pig.

This is always a big concern for owners who are faced with having to have one of their guinea pig’s legs amputated.

Most guinea pigs seem to cope remarkably well and adapt to life very well, even older guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs that have had a hind limb amputated are likely to take slightly longer to adapt since most of their weight is over their hind legs.