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Bonnie Can't Use Her Back Legs

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Cuddles With Cavies

Cuddles With Cavies

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So I came home from work this afternoon and found that Bonnie couldn't use her back legs properly. She nor dragging them. They're like hunched underneath her. She's wobbly and not moving when she can help it.

She's still eating and alert and she was absolutely fine this morning. She went to the vets last Thursday to have a her teeth filed down and whilst she was there they treated her for mites. She's also been on Metacam (dog version) for ovarian cysts. Shes 5 years old and was perfectly healthly prior to a couple of weeks ago.

I dont know whether she's had a stroke but shes got not head tilt. I don't know if shes maybe had an allergic reaction to the Metacam or the Xeno 50 mini spot on that the vets gave her (or any of the other drugs they gave her). I dont know if maybe its because her bum is a bit mucky from when she wasnt eating right and that annoying her. I just don't know.

I'm distort because she was recovering so well from her teeth problem. And now this! My parents are saying that she needs to be out down, that I've already wasted enough money on a rodent. But she's still so interested and bright.
 
hsn97 said:
So I came home from work this afternoon and found that Bonnie couldn't use her back legs properly. She nor dragging them. They're like hunched underneath her. She's wobbly and not moving when she can help it.

She's still eating and alert and she was absolutely fine this morning. She went to the vets last Thursday to have a her teeth filed down and whilst she was there they treated her for mites. She's also been on Metacam (dog version) for ovarian cysts. Shes 5 years old and was perfectly healthly prior to a couple of weeks ago.

I dont know whether she's had a stroke but shes got not head tilt. I don't know if shes maybe had an allergic reaction to the Metacam or the Xeno 50 mini spot on that the vets gave her (or any of the other drugs they gave her). I dont know if maybe its because her bum is a bit mucky from when she wasnt eating right and that annoying her. I just don't know.

I'm distort because she was recovering so well from her teeth problem. And now this! My parents are saying that she needs to be out down, that I've already wasted enough money on a rodent. But she's still so interested and bright.
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Hi! Poor you!

Please see a vet promptly tomorrow. Sudden back leg paralysis is not rare in older guinea pigs. In many cases, it is connected with a sudden drop in calcium, but not in all, so a check-up is indicated. Generally, your vet is likely to treat with osteocare if he has been able to exclude a stroke, arthritis or a neurological problem.

The good news is that most paralysis cases are only temporary; most piggies will slowly regain mobility again in the days or weeks after. Make sure that you have got water, hay and food right by her and that you spot clean/change her cosies twice daily to prevent urine scald and bumblefoot. Weigh her daily at the same time and top her up with syringe feed and water, as much as she will take.

I am very sorry; you can get a real rat-tail of things with a frail older piggy. Hang on in there!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Poor you!

Please see a vet promptly tomorrow. Sudden back leg paralysis is not rare in older guinea pigs. In many cases, it is connected with a sudden drop in calcium, but not in all, so a check-up is indicated. Generally, your vet is likely to treat with osteocare if he has been able to exclude a stroke, arthritis or a neurological problem.

The good news is that most paralysis cases are only temporary; most piggies will slowly regain mobility again in the days or weeks after. Make sure that you have got water, hay and food right by her and that you spot clean/change her cosies twice daily to prevent urine scald and bumblefoot. Weigh her daily at the same time and top her up with syringe feed and water, as much as she will take.

I am very sorry; you can get a real rat-tail of things with a frail older piggy. Hang on in there!
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Don't worry, I'll be taking her to the vets first thing. I'm really worried though that the vet will want to put her to sleep. My parents think she needs to be because she's cost me so much.

Can I get oseotocare from online? Is it the same stuff for people. Unfortunately, I don't think my vet is completely cavy savvy so I'm not sure she'll suggest it. :(

Thank you though. it would make sense as she hasn't been eating right because of her teeth.
 
hsn97 said:
Don't worry, I'll be taking her to the vets first thing. I'm really worried though that the vet will want to put her to sleep. My parents think she needs to be because she's cost me so much.

Can I get oseotocare from online? Is it the same stuff for people. Unfortunately, I don't think my vet is completely cavy savvy so I'm not sure she'll suggest it. :(

Thank you though. it would make sense as she hasn't been eating right because of her teeth.
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It is the same stuff as you use for humans and if it is just a short term calcium deficiency, then it is not that expensive to cure; it just takes some time. It will also not happen again.

@helen105281 @Adelle @Elwickcavies
 
Sending healing vibes. I'd echo what Wiebke has said about keeping her warm and comfortable (and clean) - bring everything to her side so she can eat etc without needing to move. Good luck at the vets tomorrow.
 
Theres a sainsburys right next door to the vets so I might pop in and get some oseotocare whilst I'm there tomorrow. I've cornered her off from her three herd mates. They just seemed to be pestering her and pinching her food. I hope that was the right thing to do.

God, guinea pigs cause so much emotional trauma. Wouldn't be which out them though 
 
My Tilly suddenly started walking with her back legs splayed out, rather like a frog.

She had Xrays and it was discovered that she had Osteoporosis and her bones were very thin and fragile most likely due to her awful living conditions in her previous home.

She did recover very quickly and started walking normally again.

Good luck at the vets.
 
Hope you get some answers at the vets. My Ellie had a similar issue and we did try Osteocare but after a week her quality of life was starting to be affected and we let her go. I think she had more than a calcium crash going on though, there was something underlying. I think you need to give the Ostoecare a few days to work and go from there.
 
Just an update on Bonnie. She had the Osteocare for about five days and regained the use of her back legs! Yay!
She's still not eating 100% but getting there. I've ordered some critical care to help get some weight back on her.
I'll also be investigating the hormone injection when I get my next pay check (the poor darling has bled me financially dry).
It's small steps but all in the right direction bless her.
 
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