Hurt Leg

[RoxieFaye]

About a week ago I noticed tha Quillson's rear right leg was acting funny. He was dragging it behind him and it seemed to stick out funny from his body. He was able to move it, but it seemed a little bit slower than his other legs. I could move the leg and touch it and he wouldn't so much a flinch so I don't believe he was in any pain.

He was still eating, playing, pooping, and everything else like normal, so I thought maybe he just strained his leg on his wheel. Since he got his bucket wheel he's been running like crazy.

Well, it's slowly gotten better over the days, but when he stopped running on his wheel at night I knew it was time to take him to the vet.

They wanted to do some special kind of x-ray and sedate him which was going to cost upwards of $300! I don't have that kind of money to spend, so they sent us home with an antibiotic (amoxycilin) and a pain killer (rumadil) to see if that would help.

She said that she couldn't feel any broken bones, the area doesn't seem to be swelled, and he doesn't seem to be in any significant pain, but she wanted the xrays to make sure.

He seems to be doing a little better and has regained some movement in his leg, thank goodness.

I just wanted to know if anyone here has encountered something similiar and what you did? $300 is a lot of money...

On a brighter note Quillson weighs 301 grams and the vet said that he was one of the nicest hedgies she'd ever seen. He didn't ball up at all and didn't poop on the examining table! :laugh: I've even been able to give him his medicines without any trouble! I'm so proud of my little man! :love:

I would really appreciate any feedback you guys have...

[Ododad]

Hi Roxy! I don't have any advice to give but wanted to say that I hope that Quillson is going to be ok.
Please keep us informed on this, ok?

[hedgiebedgie]

I am glad to hear Quillson seems to be doing some better. My bet is that its just a strain or sprain since he is otherwise so active and healthy. My philosophy is "pray for the best and be ready for the worst, so if his leg doesn't get a lot better phone me (I don't check the board every day, so pm is not a good way to get me) and I will call the vet and see if I can't get the cost down - I have spent a lot of money with those folks over the past fifteen years and they usually give me a discount (on my hedgies they reduce the routine exam costs by about twenty percent and now trim their nails for free.) Its obvious that they have two price schedules - one for new customers and one for long time customers. In any case, if he gets worse we will get the cost of the x-ray covered even if they won't give a discount.

[SherAlana]

Was it a regular vet you took him to or an Emergency Vet? If It was Emergency that does not sound too bad. If It was a regular vet, I might be wary. I spend about 50-100 a trip at my regular vet. However, I know to go to the ER it is a 125.00 just for the Emergency Exam!! Amoxicillian is about 15.00 and Rymadil is about 18-20. The x-ray sounds like it would have been the killer cost. I don't know what "special" X-ray would be needed. They could have just set for bone . . . .but, yeah it sounds like they may be taking you for a ride.

[PrettyHate]

Roxie- Im glad that your boy seems to be doing better. Keep us informed on how he is doing!

I kinna agree with SherAlana. I know for just the consultation at my (old) vet it was $54 and then another $30-40 to knock him out. Then, when I wanted to get a chest x-ray done for Murdoc it was another $68. The mite check I had done was probably another $30 or so- but luckily that and the consultation and knocking out was covered by petland.

My new vet who Murdoc visited last Wednesday is alot cheaper- and seems almost as knowledable (or more) than the other on hedgies. She is only $25 for a consult, and then it was $30 to have him knocked out and looked at.

If it seems to be getting worse I would take up HedgieBedgies kind offer! That is very generous of him- and when it comes to Quillson I know that he is worth it!

[Ododad]

Roxie- Im glad that your boy seems to be doing better. Keep us informed on how he is doing!

I kinna agree with SherAlana. I know for just the consultation at my (old) vet it was $54 and then another $30-40 to knock him out. Then, when I wanted to get a chest x-ray done for Murdoc it was another $68. The mite check I had done was probably another $30 or so- but luckily that and the consultation and knocking out was covered by petland.

My new vet who Murdoc visited last Wednesday is alot cheaper- and seems almost as knowledable (or more) than the other on hedgies. She is only $25 for a consult, and then it was $30 to have him knocked out and looked at.

If it seems to be getting worse I would take up HedgieBedgies kind offer! That is very generous of him- and when it comes to Quillson I know that he is worth it!A very kind offer indeed! People like this renew my faith in humanity.

[Pringlesmom]

I hope Quillison keeps getting better. I am experiencing the same kind of behavior with Pringle. I thought he took a tumble off of his wheel too b\c the wheel didnt seem to fit right in the cage. It started out with him limping on his rind leg (only one). We did xrays and my bill came to 150 including the cost of anesthesia. She found no broken bones. He was on a steroid for anti-inflamatory reasons and seemed to be getting better. The steroid cost 9 bucks for a very tiny amount. He was on another med after the steroid b\c she didnt want to have him on it for a prolonged period of time. This med cost $30. Well, like I said, he seemed to be getting better, but then started to fall over more, and was not able to get up. My room is a bit drafty and last night I felt his tiny feet and they were ice cold!!! I warmed him up and I ordered a Snuggle Safe Heat Pad online. It started in one back rear leg and now his left side is a bit funny. I am preparing myself for WHS. The vet did not think it was that since it wasn't bilateral. Now his one side looks ok and his other is acting up. Overall, his legs look weak. They have feeling and he is not in pain, but they are cold. Hopefully hibernation is now the problem, so I am going to try some hedgie socks (compliments of Barbie!!!) to see if that does the trick. I hope Quillison quickly gets better b\c it is very hard and frustrating to not know what the cause is. If this is WHS I would like to be definately sure so I can truly prepare. Let If it keeps happening, maybe try a sonagram to check for tumors. Someone gave me that advice yesterday and I am going to ask my vet about it. I will keep Quillison in my prayers.
Denise & Pringle

[RoxieFaye]

Thank you everyone!

And yes, Hedgiebedgie is a total sweetheart! :love: He's done so much for Quillson and I can never thank him enough. :)

Yeah, the x-ray was what cost so much. I don't know anything about vets or their prices so when I saw the estimate I started panicing.

I have been able to give him his meds pretty easily and he's just been sleeping a lot. He hasn't been allowed to run on his wheel at all. He still is having a very hard time walking on his leg, so I don't know... It's only been a couple of days though, so hopefully soon things will get a little better. I don't want my baby to be in pain... :(

He has rubbed a little bit of a wound on his foot from dragging it, so I've been cleaning it every day and putting neosporin on it to keep it clean.

He's still eating and everything normally, and isn't especially huffy or visa versa. I have pretty high hopes for him.

Thank you all so much! :) I'll be sure to let you guys know how my little one does.

[hedgiebedgie]

RoxieFaye

Do you mind if I call Dr. Scott and ask if a sonogram would tell anything about Quillson's leg and see what the cost would be? I have been reading a lot in other threads about sonograms to detect problems in hedgies.

Hedgiebedgie

[paris26]

It sounds like Quillson is in good hands Roxie! Sending hedgie hugs your way! :)