Back Leg Trouble

[ShadyH89]

Hi everyone, new member and long time piggy keeper here. I've kept guinea pigs for over ten years so you might say I know my stuff. However, my 6 year old girly has come down poorly in the past couple of days and I'm worried that there is nothing I can do for her.

She has been doing really well lately for an old pig, eating plenty, and enjoying her scampers around my room. However, yesterday when I took her out she just sort of sat there and seemed unwilling to move. She was shifting uncomfortably from one back foot to the other and 'laid down' as soon as she was on the floor. I had actually noticed over the past few months that she had seemed more tired and laid down more in the hutch but she seemed so lively when she was out and about that it didn't seem important.

I had a prod and a poke to see if it was her belly that was sore but it's definitely her back legs that seem to be paining her. Has anybody any ideas of what this could be? I did see something online yesterday about back leg trouble sometimes being a symptom of vitamin C deficiency, so I have ramped up the vitamin C in the veggies I have been giving her and have also given her some liquid C with a dropper. She's not seriously ill and she is still eating but she seems to really struggle to stand and walk around, like its a massive effort.

I'm worried that if I take her to the vet at this stage they will have her put down because she's pushing 7 now and I worry that they will chalk it up to age. I've never known a guinea pigs' legs to just give up like this before. Has anybody got any ideas or experience with this?

 

[piggyfan]

A vet will never put an animal down unless they feel the animal is suffering so please do not delay in having your little one checked out. She could have damaged her leg in any number of ways. You really need to get this checked out without delay. Guinea pigs hide pain so it could be more serious then it seems.

If you want to give her extra vitamin C then you can buy tablets from the hay experts. Giving them in liquid forum is no use as much is lost through evaporation. I crush a tablet and put it on a slice of cucumber for my girls to eat.

 

[Suzygpr]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

Arthritis in older pigs is quite common, so that would be my first guess if there are no other symptoms. Metacam is good for pain relief as it is also an anti-inflammatory, though a kidney assessment would be wise first as it can impact on their function.

Many pigs get a new lease of life once their pain level is under control.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Please have your piggy checked out for arthritis or scurvy (vitamin C deficiency).
http://www.guinealynx.info/scurvy.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/pain.html

Look out for a piggy savvy (exotics) vet; a good one will do his best to prolong your piggy's life as long as it has a quality of life.

 

[ShadyH89]

Just thought I'd give my thanks and give everyone an update. It's good news, and bad.

My piggy, Splodge, went to the vet last Friday morning. She found massive tumours in her uterus, which she thought combined with old age would make the weight difficult for her back legs to bear. She told me that I had two options; to give her painkillers and just try to make her as comfortable as possible, or conduct investigative surgery. I said I would try painkillers first as there appeared to be little hope for Splodge at the time - she wasn't eating and spent her entire day laying.

Since the painkillers, and with regular doses of vitamins C, D and Calcium, she has made massive improvements. She's really got a new lease of life, is back on her food, and is even walking about a lot more. I have no idea whether it was the painkillers that helped or that she was suffering from scurvy, but she is doing much better and is really perky.

I'm now wondering whether I should go ahead with the surgery to see if the tumours can be removed, but I'm really worried in case she doesn't make it through - she is 6 after all and if she has a few months to a year of life left in her I don't want to wreck it with surgery which she might not survive. Does anybody have any advice? I love my piggy and I want to do right by her.

Thanks again.

 

[piggyfan]

I do not have any advice but I wanted to say I am so pleased your little one is doing better. You are doing everything you can for her and that is lovely to hear. I wish her good luck.