Our four legged friends are definitely responsible for some of the best and some of the worst moments of our lives, a sentiment which I am sure is now shared by the McLaren family of Norton.

Young Guinness McLaren is very much a creature of habit, loving life and never straying very far, so it was unusual for him to be late home one Friday evening a few weeks ago. He had been spotted briefly, on the roof of an outbuilding at about 7.30pm, but it was two hours later when he finally managed to drag himself indoors and on to his bed, leaving a trail of blood in his wake and crying pitifully. Both hind legs had been badly injured, but one appeared to be completely mangled and it is thought that he had been the victim of a road traffic accident.

His lifesaving operation lasted well into the night. A considerable amount of blood had been lost and his right hind leg had been completely ‘de-gloved’ with skin missing right up to his hock, exposing bone in some areas. The middle toe on this foot was dislocated and he had suffered severe lacerations to his left hind leg. By all accounts Guinness was a very poorly boy, but at just over one year old, he had age on his side, he was also healthy, well cared for and not ready to give up, just yet.

Guinness had to remain in hospital for 48 hours, coming home eventually on Sunday evening with stitches in his left leg, his right leg heavily bandaged and armed with painkillers and antibiotics to see him over the next two and a half weeks.

For his first week, he was confined to a large crate in order to restrict his movements, but then freedom was extended to one ground floor room. He still has to be locked in his crate on a night though, as now that he is feeling better, he has worked out how to open the room door and get into the kitchen, where he likes to jump up onto the work tops and for the present time at least, jumping is definitely not allowed.

On the whole, however, this young chap has dealt with his confinement very well and been a model patient. It is now almost five weeks since that dreadful night and happily, his future is looking much brighter. A regular visitor to the surgery, Guinness is still seeing his vet twice a week to have his dressing changed, but his wounds are healing nicely and the prognosis is good. I know that his family would also like to say a huge ‘thank you’ for the brilliance, expertise, patience and dedication shown by all the veterinary staff who have cared for Guinness since his accident.

Two weeks ago you may remember that Olaf, my granddaughter’s Guinea Pig, was heading off to the vets for a pre surgery check as he was scheduled to be neutered. Well, following further discussion with his vet and after considering statistical results, I am relieved to say that the operation is not now going ahead.

Although castration is a fairly straight forward procedure for dogs, cats and even rabbits, Olaf’s vet has advised that this is not the case for guinea pigs. So this little piggy will not, therefore, be joining the girls in their outdoor pad but will be spending the winter in my daughter’s kitchen until his own, new, outdoor residence is constructed in time for the Spring. In the meantime, I think that my son-in-law could very well find a new saw, a hammer and possibly some nails amongst his birthday presents next month!