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Clifford has a limp

Sappyshelly

Sappyshelly

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Messages
519
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627
Points
525
Location
New Jersey
Hello everyone! It’s been a bit of time!
First off, I think Clifford should be called the problematic pig. He was sick two times over the summer and now this. :no:

Anyways, Clifford’s been pretty inactive lately. I’ve been so busy, so I don’t know how long this has been going on but I mainly noticed it today. Clifford is an old boy, around five or six, so he’s not very active to start with, but it was noticeable. Usually he’s not the biggest fan of being pet, so when he let me stroke him with no food in my hand that was a big red flag. He’s also been sleeping in the hay, but usually likes his hidies. I kept a close eye on him when he walked around, and I thought he had a little hop. I took a nice shower, thought it over, came out and looked again. I took him out of the cage and moved around his little back legs. He didn’t squeal, but for one I could tell it was tense. I put him back in and forced him to move with the temptation of food and I noticed he was really avoiding putting weight on that one leg. The more I looked at it, the more noticeable it was. Clifford’s eating fine and peeing and pooping so his appetite is still up which is great. I don’t think he broke it, but maybe he sprained it? Or maybe he caught it on something and it’s sore? I’ll keep an eye on him tomorrow, but most likely another vet trip. Thought I would update you all! Have a great day!
 
Hello, sorry to hear Clifford has a limp. I’d definitely get a vet to check him over as he is obviously in pain to find out the cause and to get him some pain and anti inflammatory medication. It may be arthritis, a sprain or something else. Do you have any metacam you could give him while waiting to get him to see the vet?
 
Sorry to hear Clifford now has a limp, poor boy, hopefully it's just a strain. Spike (B&W one) has a slight limp, he has arthritis in his hip and foot. This doesn't seem to stop him moving when he wants to which at 5 years of age is not very often! Spike has metacam whenever he seems to need it at the moment but will probably have to go onto it daily eventually.
 
VickiA said:
Hello, sorry to hear Clifford has a limp. I’d definitely get a vet to check him over as he is obviously in pain to find out the cause and to get him some pain and anti inflammatory medication. It may be arthritis, a sprain or something else. Do you have any metacam you could give him while waiting to get him to see the vet?
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I don’t have any metacam, and my regular vet is usually all booked up. Hopefully I can get him in sometime this week. I was thinking he may have arthritis since he’s an old boy
 
Update:
Clifford went to the vet tonight. I had to book it with my local vet but not my regular one since I can’t drive and hour this week. They were poking around, and when they moved his back leg Clifford got overwhelmed and stressed and went into a seizure like state. He became tense and the vet put him down on the table and he remained tense and flipped over with his mouth open. It was terrifying. I thought I might lose him there, since it went on for about 45 seconds. He layer down and calmed. The vet didn’t want to do anything else since Clifford had such a bad reaction. Clifford actually has lice so he’s being treated for that but the vet thinks it may be possible that he hurt himself while trying to scratch the lice. Either or, she says it could be much worse but we were given an anti inflammatory and he’s eating. Vet also said he’s a bit skinny. That’s all for now
 
Aw, so sorry for Clifford, the examination must have touch a really sore point. Hopefully the anti-inflammatory drugs will kick in soon and he’ll feel much better x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Aw, so sorry for Clifford, the examination must have touch a really sore point. Hopefully the anti-inflammatory drugs will kick in soon and he’ll feel much better x
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Yeah hopefully. It could be a range of different things that’s wrong
 
Forgot to mention Clifford is on metacam and gets it daily. Also the boys are separated until the lice clears up.
 
Poor thing! I hope you get to the bottom of it. Hadley is limping on her back leg today too... I'm keeping an eye on it for now, as I think it's most likely that she strained it getting in and out of the cage (she doesn't see well and sometimes is very ungainly getting in and out!) but if she's not back to normal by this time tomorrow she'll be off to the vet too. :(
 
I decided to get a second opionion form my other vet. Appointment might not be until next week since my exotic vet Is always booked up. Clifford’s still not moving much but he is eating and stuff
 
Poor Clifford, that sounds a very upsetting reaction to a vet check :( our Blodwen pig plays dead sometimes when she's scared and it frightens the life out of us!
Hopefully the metacam will help but no harm in getting a second opinion from a more experienced vet, maybe some mild sedation before they examine him might be helpful, and getting an xray too?
Healing wheeks for Clifford and also for Hadley @Freela , Ollie pigwig is very sympathetic as he is hopping rather than walking today too (he has special deformed legs and hips and always walks funny but today I think its a bit different) so he might also be off to the vets soon x
 
PigglePuggle said:
Poor Clifford, that sounds a very upsetting reaction to a vet check :( our Blodwen pig plays dead sometimes when she's scared and it frightens the life out of us!
Hopefully the metacam will help but no harm in getting a second opinion from a more experienced vet, maybe some mild sedation before they examine him might be helpful, and getting an xray too?
Healing wheeks for Clifford and also for Hadley @Freela , Ollie pigwig is very sympathetic as he is hopping rather than walking today too (he has special deformed legs and hips and always walks funny but today I think its a bit different) so he might also be off to the vets soon x
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Thank you for the wishes! I’ll tell them about his last reaction before we bring him over.
 
The appointment was made for Saturday. I’ve been giving him some critical care but not forcing it. He likes the taste so I’ve been giving him as much as he wants until he gets sick of it
 
Update:
Clifford is on meloxicam and he’s himself. He’s moving, eating, and showing dominant trails. He still seems to drag that one back leg though.
 
I will admit, I’m awfully worried.
As the days go on he seems to be getting worse and worse with his back legs. Yes, he’s still eating and drinking, and yes he will “walk” if food is involved, but his poor back legs. One of them is completely being dragged. The other seems extremely stiff. It’s almost as if he can’t keep the back part of his body straight. I’m trying the best I can. I’m calling the vet (but was put on hold. Extremely busy) to see if they can increase his meloxicam. Does anyone know anything anti anflamitory meds for guinea pigs I can ask my vet about? I’m gonna try everything I can to get him better. He doesn’t seem in pain. I haven’t seen him hunched in a corner, and he no longer puffs after the Meloxicam. He’s eating, meaning no signs of pain. If there’s no way to help his bag legs, I guess I have a hard decision to make.clifford is an old man, and was never really active and didn’t like running around. He’s chill. He enjoys eating and naps. I still struggle to see the quality of life in a Guinea pig who can barely walk. I’ll really try for you bud, but if your final gift has to Be the greatest gift, I’ll do it for you. Just stay strong Clifford. Leo’s doing a great job looking over you. Sorry for the long post. I just needed to spill my heart out here.
 
So sorry that you are in such a difficult place.
You are such a lovely owner, Clifford is a very lucky piggy.
You will know, deep in your heart, what the right decision is and the right moment.

This is always a good place to pour your heart out, we understand and we are here to support you.
Holding you in my heart
 
Merab's Slave said:
So sorry that you are in such a difficult place.
You are such a lovely owner, Clifford is a very lucky piggy.
You will know, deep in your heart, what the right decision is and the right moment.

This is always a good place to pour your heart out, we understand and we are here to support you.
Holding you in my heart
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Thank you for your kind words.
 
Hi One if our piggies Rose had a real problem with one of her legs and it seemed to spread to her other leg. She was in a bad way and was unable to move and was just dragging her back legs. I considered the worst but after 5 weeks she finally started walking again and has now got full movemen.. if a bit slower than she was! Hope Clifford gets well soon. Healing wheeks from Rose and her friends!
 
Jamston said:
Hi One if our piggies Rose had a real problem with one of her legs and it seemed to spread to her other leg. She was in a bad way and was unable to move and was just dragging her back legs. I considered the worst but after 5 weeks she finally started walking again and has now got full movemen.. if a bit slower than she was! Hope Clifford gets well soon. Healing wheeks from Rose and her friends!
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I had a similar incident with my dog. She has wobblers syndrome and basically her entire back legs were paralyzed. We expected the worse and said our goodbyes. The day we thought would be the last time we saw her, she stood up! Just so suddenly stood up. She’s walking beautifully now and even running, after a long recovery of course. She takes medication every other day. I feel like this is why I’m not ready to give up just yet. Clifford hasn’t given up, so I’m not going to either. You never know when a miracle can happen.
 
Sappyshelly said:
I had a similar incident with my dog. She has wobblers syndrome and basically her entire back legs were paralyzed. We expected the worse and said our goodbyes. The day we thought would be the last time we saw her, she stood up! Just so suddenly stood up. She’s walking beautifully now and even running, after a long recovery of course. She takes medication every other day. I feel like this is why I’m not ready to give up just yet. Clifford hasn’t given up, so I’m not going to either. You never know when a miracle can happen.
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And of course she stood up after loads of medication (not just because of nothing) but you get the point. Bless her soul she’s only two.
 
Cliffords not getting better, but I don’t think he’s getting worse.

Here’s my thing with animals. I give up when they give up. I believe in miracles. Heck, I’ve had a miracle with my dog. As long as Clifford is interested in me when I come into the room, excited for breakfast, and dinner, and tries his very best I will believe in him. It’s obvious to me he’s a fighter, and I’ll let him keep fighting until he can’t. He has a will to live and who am I to take it away. The day he won’t eat breakfast, the day he stops fighting, the day he decides he can’t move, I’ll know. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, it could be next month or even longer, but I will savor every moment with him. I’ll know when it’s time, when he decides it time. For now, keep fighting my little dude, I’ll support you all the way. Leo and I have your back.

Thank you.
 
Get well Clifford. Rose who lost the use of both back legs is now back to full mobility. It came back after about 5 weeks and then gradually for full mobility.
 
Clifford really hasn’t been doing well. I always explore all my options before having to put animals down. I ordered a CBD cream for guinea pigs from the LA guinea pig rescue, so we will see how that works. He’s still eating, but his back legs are horrible.
 
Sappyshelly said:
Clifford really hasn’t been doing well. I always explore all my options before having to put animals down. I ordered a CBD cream for guinea pigs from the LA guinea pig rescue, so we will see how that works. He’s still eating, but his back legs are horrible.
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Aw, so sorry he’s still not doing so well with his back legs. Hope his cream helps him back on his little legs
 
It’s not looking good. I don’t see a quality of life. I don’t know if he can wait until the CBD pen comes in. I seem to be at a loss.
 
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