6 Year Old Gal Swollen Hind Legs Barely Moving Them

[Michelle22]

Hi, this is my first post here.
I’ve got 4 piggies, 2 are almost 6 years old. One of them has developed swollen feet and isn’t moving her back legs much, if at all. We’re off to the vets tomorrow, she’s still eating but not as much as she normally does. She also hasn’t moved from her spot. I had to go away for a couple of days and had a friend come in to feed my piggies, she didn’t notice anything. I’m prepared for my vet to say the worst, that she has to be put to sleep, I’m just wondering what it could be, I doubt it’s a spinal injury because there’s no ramps, and the other piggies in the cage are friendly. Doesn’t look like bumblefoot either. I don’t have much money to afford a lot of treatment. There’s not a vet near me that’s an exotic specialist.
Like I said, just wondering what it could be, or what the vet might suggest.
Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Sadly, I cannot give you a diagnosis or a reason for what is happening; only a vet can do that with hands-on examination. It could be something pressing on the spine and causing a fluid build-up in the legs. Depending on the findings, a diuretic can help to drain the fluid.
My Nerys lost use of her back legs temporarily through a swelling on one side starting in the area of the adrenal gland; it was touch and go for several days she relied on syringe feed, but she pulled through to celebrate first her 7th adoption day and later her 8th birthday. The swelling went down again after some weeks.

What you can do right now:
- please step in with topping up syringe feed. It is likely that she is in discomfort and with limited mobility, she won't eat as much. Place water and hay next to her sleeping area. Offer additional fibre since hay makes over 80% of the daily food intake, but you cannot control it other by weighing daily. You can use mushed up pellets and a needle-less 1 ml syringe from a pharmacy. Keeping her guts going is important to give her any chance of recovery that you can.
Not Eating And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

- With guinea pigs with limited mobility it is important that you clean/change the main area your piggy is sticking to twice daily to keep it clean and as dry as possible to prevent urine scald and foot infections (bumble foot).

- She may have difficulty to clean herself, so please check her bum and the underside of her feet regularly and if necessary give her a gentle bum bath with baby warm to remove any urine and stuck poos.

 

[Michelle22]

She’s laid by the pellet bowl and water bottle, refusing to drink though. I keep putting green hay by her, the other piggies keep eating it! I’ve changed the part of the cage under her twice today, she’s pooping loads. At the same time I’ve cleaned her with baby wipes as she’s been soggy around her bum. I’ve got several 1ml syringes from giving piggies antibiotics, I’ll give her some water after dinner and try mushy pellets.
Did you go to the vets for Nerys? If so, how much did it cost?

 

[Michelle22]

After eating some tomato (one of her faves) she moved down the other end of the cage away from everything and has hidden herself in a pile of bedding hay.

 

[Merab]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I can’t give you any advice but did want to offer support

 

[Wiebke]

She’s laid by the pellet bowl and water bottle, refusing to drink though. I keep putting green hay by her, the other piggies keep eating it! I’ve changed the part of the cage under her twice today, she’s pooping loads. At the same time I’ve cleaned her with baby wipes as she’s been soggy around her bum. I’ve got several 1ml syringes from giving piggies antibiotics, I’ll give her some water after dinner and try mushy pellets.
Did you go to the vets for Nerys? If so, how much did it cost?

Yes, of course I did go to the vets with Nerys who diagnosed where the problem was located. Unfortunately her problems could not be treated directly; but she did get painkillers and gut stimulants.

Vet fees depend on the vet you are seeing. You can ring up the clinic you want to use before you book an appointment. The more specialised and piggy savvy (which are classed as exotics) a vet is, the higher the consultation fees. UK clinics may accept a payment plan, but not all. If you are in the UK and on benefits (students don't qualify), you can see whether there is a PDSA clinic where you are.

Please always save up for a vet fund on a weekly or monthly basis so you can afford emergency vet care at all times. Illness never happens conveniently!

 

[Michelle22]

I did have a fund saved up, unfortunately my grandma passed away suddenly and the money went on getting to the funeral and staying a couple of nights away. I’m unemployed but I don’t qualify for benefits yet, you know one of those big companies in the news recently which went broke and couldn’t find a buyer? I worked for one of them and was let go suddenly. I have to wait 6-8 weeks to get any money from them or jobseekers.

 

[Wiebke]

I did have a fund saved up, unfortunately my grandma passed away suddenly and the money went on getting to the funeral and staying a couple of nights away. I’m unemployed but I don’t qualify for benefits yet, you know one of those big companies in the news recently which went broke and couldn’t find a buyer? I worked for one of them and was let go suddenly. I have to wait 6-8 weeks to get any money from them or jobseekers.

OUCH! Poor you! These things always happen at the worst moment possible.
All the best!

 

[Michelle22]

Update: the vets didn’t have any appointments yesterday. Piggy perked up Monday afternoon/evening and has started walking again. She also drank from the bottle herself. Possibly the heat got to her?

 

[Merab]

Glad she seems to be doing better.

 

[Wiebke]

Glad that she is better again!

Here are our tips for hot weather and heat strokes: Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes