Back legs not working properly

[Nassala]

Meg has had a bit of an eventful few weeks, with suspected seizures, a bladder stone, and a weird reaction to sedation. Today I noticed that she is missing hair on her back legs, which she seems to have barbered off, as there are still stubby bits, although I haven't seen her do this. In addition, she doesn't seem confident on her back legs, as when she goes round a corner she's a bit likely to stumble or tip over, and when walking slowly she seems almost to drag her back legs a bit. When she tries to run she is OK, but climbing on or off beds or even in or out the hay area she keeps catching her feet like she can't hold them high enough. I'm going to make another appointment with the vet tomorrow and see what it could be or if she just needs some pain management. Her blood tests were all normal as of Wednesday and only the one bladder stone (now out) showed on the Xray. Anyone been through similar? Any suggestions in the mean time? I'm not sure what else I can do to help her before seeing the vet.

 

[Wiebke]

All the best at the vets!

I am sorry for the added complication. Unfortunately all I can do is guess as much as you do, which is not helpful!
It sounds like she is experiencing some pain in her legs which is causing the self-barbering.

@Abi_nurse

 

[Nassala]

Thanks Wiebke for your reply and for tagging Abi_nurse. I guessed she's feeling a bit of pain, I'm just frustrated because I thought we had it all sorted and she had a clean bill of health! I am away with our Duke of Edinburgh kids Tuesday to Thursday too... Not the best timing on Meg's part, as I know my partner will try his best but won't know enough to spot if anything else is wrong. Sorry, this is turning into an anxiety rant! At least I know everyone else here will understand how frustrating it is when you can't help your piggie

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke for your reply and for tagging Abi_nurse. I guessed she's feeling a bit of pain, I'm just frustrated because I thought we had it all sorted and she had a clean bill of health! I am away with our Duke of Edinburgh kids Tuesday to Thursday too... Not the best timing on Meg's part, as I know my partner will try his best but won't know enough to spot if anything else is wrong. Sorry, this is turning into an anxiety rant! At least I know everyone else here will understand how frustrating it is when you can't help your piggie

HUGS

These things always happen at the worst of times! Fingers very firmly crossed for her!

 

[Betsy]

My Christian hurt his back badly and was dragging his legs behind him. If you are interested here is the thread:-

Christian was at emergency vet appointment this morning!

 

[GPTV]

Sorry I have no idea, but ask the vet to prescribe the maximum dose of painkillers/anti inflammatory, such as loxicom twice a day, if there's any swelling of muscles onto nerves trapping them, causing the mobility problems this should help, also if it's not as swollen she's less likely to barber herself due to pain reduction.

Perhaps let her stay on one level for a few weeks just so she doesn't strain herself & cause more injury if she's already feeling a bit fragile?
No ramps or high houses etc. to jump on.

Good luck at the vets
These Guineas certainly know when to cause most disruption! Xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

Can’t offer any advice but hope Meg gets better soon, sending you hugs at this worrying time x

 

[Nassala]

Thanks everybody! xx

 

[Abi_nurse]

I would consider knee arthritis - a very common complaint in the older piggie. It would explain the barbering if she was feeling discomfort. Certainly would advice some painkillers in the he form of metacam and potentially also gabapentin or tramadol if she's having this much issues with walking.

x

 

[Nassala]

A quick update on Meg... I dropped her off at the vet, and the next day was told she was fine, and to just keep giving her the meloxidyl. Turns out when she was last in for her tests they had shaved her back legs to take the blood, and I had immediately assumed in full panic mode that she was barbering . She is walking better now, and some days seems more sure of herself than others. She is not back to how she was before the seizures, and that breaks my heart a little, but I'm hoping she'll get back to normal over time. I'm still not sure why she's still wobbly but she's more or less OK.

 

[Merab]

Thanks for the update.
Glad there’s some improvement - hoping this continues