Bob Piggle

[HelensMum]

Hi
I have 2 guinea pigs, Bob and Jay, both about 8 years 3 months old. Jay is fit as a flea but Bob is losing the use of her hind legs. I read somewhere online that vitamin C and hydrotherapy could work so I'm makings sure she gets plenty of fresh greens and I've been bathing her daily. It seems to be doing a bit of good but I'm not sure how long and how often I should put her in the tub. I'd be grateful for any advice anyone could give me.
Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
I have 2 guinea pigs, Bob and Jay, both about 8 years 3 months old. Jay is fit as a flea but Bob is losing the use of her hind legs. I read somewhere online that vitamin C and hydrotherapy could work so I'm makings sure she gets plenty of fresh greens and I've been bathing her daily. It seems to be doing a bit of good but I'm not sure how long and how often I should put her in the tub. I'd be grateful for any advice anyone could give me.
Thanks

Hi and welcome!

Please be aware that a lot of the "on spec" home treatment stuff that is still turning up when googling is now outdated and that it does not replace a visit to a preferably piggy savvy vet. You can easily make things worse instead of better or miss out on addressing the real issue.

At her old age, it can be arthritis in the spine, but it can also have a range of other causes that only a thorough check up can show. Sudden total back leg paralysis is something different from a gradual loss of mobility. "Overnight paralysis" can be helped by osteocare; this the variant that you come across most often when googling. It usually rights itself over time.
However, in your case, without a vet diagnosis all we can do is just guess and not give any concrete recommendations.
Recommended UK vets: Please have her seen by a good vet to determine the cause.
Recommended vets in other countries (courtesy of Guinea Lynx): Veterinarians - The GLX-Files

As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can tailor any advice and recommendations to what is available and possible where you are. please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!