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A strange day for Woody

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Vegasphil

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My little boy has his guinea pig Woody (I look after him of course)

This morning I went outside like usual to clean him out and discovered he was looking to be in a bad way. This shocked me as he was absoloutley fine the night before when I fed him.

I picked him up and thought he was dead. He was stiff. I put him down and he started writhing around and stretching etc moving across the bed area this lasted for about 10 minutes. I thought the poor thing has broken it's neck/back falling off the ramp etc. I had to close the door and take my little boy out of the way.

I went back after 10 15 minutes and Woody was sat normally but looking a bit sorry for himself. I have bought him inside and placed him on a towel with a cardboard box. When I brought him in he had no control of his legs and his fronts were all droopy. He couldn't really walk. There was no sign of head tilt or anything like that.

There is not a lot of results on the internet for stiff guinea pigs that can't walk. The only thing that was coming up was a lack of Vitamin C. I cut him up some carrots and apple and opened a new pack of Gerty Guinea Food to give him. He has eaten and now is acting quite normally. He has even been running around my front room. I'm, so glad to see he has control of his legs again (although a tad wobbly every now and then). Going to buy some fresh Parsley because at the moment as he has no problem eatng. His veggies from last night were untouched.

Is this typical of a lack of Vit C? I was amazed how quickly it got hold of him if so. He is almost back to normal I would say.
 
You really need to take him to the vets as just because he appears okay now does not mean he is. Guinea pigs hide illness very well. If he is outside maybe he was very cold and that caused him to freeze up. You must take him to the vets right away as this sounds serious.
 
It sounds like potentially something neurological?

He really needs to see a vet for a proper diagnosis.
 
There are a few things to be aware of

Firstly, its unlikely he will recover without a vet.

Secondly, guinea pigs really shouldnt be kept on their own, they get very lonely and depressed.

Also, its very cold outside right now, an outdoor hutch needs to be insulated, then with a weather proof cover, and the piggy needs tons of hay to snuggle into.

Its great that your on here looking for advice, but please take him to a vet and let us know how you get on. Did you know that its part of an owners legal obligation to seek vet treatment for any poorly animals?
 
Thanks for your replies. Personally I'm not a newbie to keeping Guinea Pigs. I always had them when I was younger as they are so easy to keep and friendly etc.

When I got them we had Buzz and Woody. Unfortunatley earlier this year Buzz got the dreaded gas in the gut. Despite meds from the vet he passed a few days later. Since then I have looked into getting Woody paired up with another pig of a similar age. Sadly no one seems able to help. I have been in touch with the RSPCA and also Wheek and Squeek. W&S is always full as the owner likes to take in the pigs and pair them up - I keep phoning regularly.

EDIT: RSPCA at The Ark Stubbington wouldn't even help me without him being neutered. Why should he be. Other guinea pig rescues seem happy to try and pair up non neutered boars.

Thanks for the lecture about vet care. He will be going if he deteriorates. I know the dreaded Internet diagnosis aren't normally right but he seems to be back to himself now and he is enjoying being in the front room in my intensive care unit ha! I'll be keeping a good eye on him.
 
I do hope he does get better and the lack of vet treatment isnt to his detriment.

Yes, that RSPCA is often giving such advice which is obviously rediculous. *rolls eyes, they are not rabbits*

Great that your looking to get him a friend, I hope you have luck finding a partner with wheak and squeak. :)

If you are determined to self medicate, its a good idea to give probiotic as this contains vitamin C along with other necessary vitamins and minerals. This will also do no harm if the home diagnosis is wrong.

A guinea pig getting his necessary cup full of fruit and veg daily shouldnt be suffering from vitamin C defiency unless there are more serious underlying problems.
 
10pm update:

He's been bouncing around all evening. Hoovering up anything I give him.

When I picked up my OH from work we agreed to buy an indoor cage. She is slightly allergic to him unfortunately but is battling through!

Will have another good look at him at 7 when I get up. I bet he's glad he's not out in the storm.
 
Hi firstly welcome to you, your wife, son and little Woody to the forum :)
Really sorry your first posts on here are about Woody being ill :...
I do hope you can get into see a vet's pronto, they really are so good at hiding their illnesses!
It does sound like he had a little seizure/fit ? When you see the vets try to describe everything.

Whee wish little Woody all the best xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sorry also to hear about little Buzz :(
If you have time whee'd love to see pigtures of Woody, whee have a stories/photo's section.

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
 
Useful? Ok...

Anyway he has been absoloutley fine since his ordeal. He loves his hutch and I even have some pics of him to show you all.
 
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