Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My guinea pig fell and might have a broken foot. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Female | unspayed | 5 months and 22 days old | 7 lbs

Hi I'm Josalyn I have a 5 months old guinea pig that fell from 3 to 4 feet by squirming out of the hands I was holding her in and I think she broke her foot I'm not sure but I think she did and I'm not sure what to do so can someone tell me what I'm supposed to do I'm not sure what to do do I need to bring her to the vet immediately can I make a wheelchair for her if so tell me how to can I make her a cast if so tell me how to her name is Cupcake

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 25th, 2017

Oh no, poor Cupcake! If you feel that she has broken her leg, then yes I would take her into a vet immediately. This will be very painful for her, and she will need treatment for the pain and to ensure her foot heals properly. I would not make a cast for her, treatment for anything broken should only be done by a vet to make sure it's done correctly. As for a wheelchair, that likely be needed for a broken foot. Please take Cupcake into a vet now.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My guinea pig pulled her feet hard and now she can’t walk on it , it’s currently hanging on the side is it broken ?
Hello, and thank you for using Boop by Petco. Oh dear, it does sound very concerning - I am worried that Brownie may have fractured her leg or foot from that description. She needs to be seen by a vet right away. Your vet will likely want to x-ray that leg to determine if (and specifically where) there's a fracture, and can then discuss the best way to help her heal, as well as start her on the necessary pain medication. Unfortunately there's nothing safe and over-the-counter that you can give her to help, so keep her safe and confined until you can have her seen by a vet. Hope this helps and she feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Guiena pig is 5 months old & she jumped in her cage and her leg got caught and it’s seems completely broke . It hangs to the side , but she does still run and walk but she cry’s and her legs bends back . I can’t bring her to the vet till morning w
I would endeavour to get her sn emergency appointment tonight to get some pain relief as I imagine she will be sore. However if you cannot I would move her into a smaller area with a soft material on the floor and no loose bedding or objects thst she could catch herself on. Feed and water as usual. Treatment will vary depending on severity of injury, it may be medicine or could be surgery if the leg is broken. Again cost will vary massively depending on the injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My guinea pig fell from the basin table while I was giving him a bath. He isn't using his back left foot, but when I touch it he doesn't cry or anything. He limps when he walks around. This happened yesterday but I feel like It's alittle more better.
If he continues to limp you may want to consider an examination with your veterinarian. It could certainly be fractured. An x-ray would likely be needed to evaluate for a fracture. There are some safe pain medications available for guinea pigs. Hopefully he continues to improve!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My daughter dropped her guinea pig outside. She said she believes is his rump and that he squeeled alot after the accident. He drags his back legs now, but after a few days he is showing some signs of movement in his left leg/foot, but nothing really
I'm so sorry about Pig. Ideally he needs to see a vet as he may have a spinal cord lesion, pelvic fracture or other fracture. He may have a collapsed disc or broken vertebra. Spinal cord lesions may not always start with full paralysis. He needs to be kept fairly quiet to help allow for healing but knowing the extent of his injury will help determine if he can recover. He also may need pain medication which is only available by a prescription from the vet. After exam the vet may likely recomend radiographs to look for the lesion. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment started the better his chance of recovery.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
HELP! My guinea pig was stepped on a few days ago. We're seeing a vet tomorrow. He's dragging his back legs and I'm scared he broke something. Pepper (His name) can use his legs when necessary and can still walk, but he'll stop whenever he can. I do
Thanks for reaching out about Pepper. Hopefully by now you have seen the veterinarian and things are positive and/or manageable. A radiographs is recommended to have assessed the condition. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My daughter just told me she dropped our guinea pig from a few feet above the bed onto the bed and now it's not moving much or eating. Are xrays and visits extremely expensive for this type of animal and if it broke something can a vet actually fix i
It's very serious Cookie won't move much or eat, that tells me she is in a lot of pain. The x-rays won't be as much as it is for a cat or dog, but it could be around $100-$200. Yes, the vet would be able to fix something broken. You need to take her into a vet immediately. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My guinea pig is eating well but it doesn't use one of its leg. It runs and is normal but it isn't use one of its leg and holds it up. What is wrong with it..??
He probably got his leg injured, possibly from the cage, you will need to take him to the vet to get it checked and treated, it's possible that it is a minor injury but it could also be severe and the leg might need to be amputated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My guinea pig is limping and carrying her front left leg, and I was wondering what it could be or what I can do at home to help? She's still walking around and she's eating and drinking like normal and everything. We don't have a vet that takes guine
Check her foot for swelling or redness. She may have an infection (bumblefoot) which would account for the symptoms you are seeing. It happens when guinea pigs are kept on a wire bottom cage. Dirty bedding can also complicate it, especially if she develops a small wound on her foot. You don't necessarily need a vet that specializes in pocket pets. A local vet should be able to diagnose and dispense antibiotics. If this is not possible, try foot soaks in a dilute chlorhexidine or Betadine solution. You don't need much, just enough for her to stand. Soak daily, dry thoroughly and keep her on paper towels until she heals. Change bedding daily or more often if necessary.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My guinea pig can't move his back legs
Your guinea pig probably fell and injured his spine, this is a very situation, he will probably stay paralyzed, you should take him to the vet to check how bad it is and bear in mind he might need to be put to sleep.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my guinea pig fell and is now dragging his back legs. I took it to the vet saturday and he isn't in any pain and has no damage to his legs so he hadn't given me anything's. my guinea pig is eating, pooing and weeing fine. my vet asked me to take h
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. So sorry this happened to Jingle. Are you sure the paralysis is related to the fall? Dragging the back legs can be a sign of scurvy which is a vitamin C deficiency. Very common in guinea pigs if they are not on a supplement. Does he take a vitamin C supplement? If not, he needs about 50mg per day and you will usually see improvement in a week or so. I suggest this one: ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Science-Vitamin-Supplement-Count/dp/B00E0HQA7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522060364&sr=8-1&keywords=oxbow+vitamin+c ) It's common for injury to the spine, pelvis, or limbs to result in hind leg paralysis. Sometimes administering corticosteroids can help the guinea pig heal. You will need to get these steroids from your vet. Back injuries can occur very easily occur in guinea pigs. A twist the wrong way while playing or a fall can fracture the pelvis or some vertebra. X-rays would detect these conditions. Does he have feeling in the feet i
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Guinea Pig Shop Guinea Pig Cages & Habitats Guinea Pig Food & Hay Guinea Pig Toys & Habitat Accessories Guinea Pig Bedding & Litter Guinea Pig Beds & Hideaways Guinea Pig Water Bottles & Food Bowls Small Animal Supplies Chinchilla Shop Chinchilla Cages & Habitats Petco Guinea Pig Shop Fiesta Guinea Pig Shop Oxbow Guinea Pig Shop Peter's Guinea Pig Shop Essentials Guinea Pig Shop WARE Guinea Pig Shop Brown's Guinea Pig Shop Tropical Carnival Guinea Pig Shop Oxbow Guinea Pig Cages & Habitats Kaytee Guinea Pig Shop
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored