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Elderly piggy dragging back legs

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CandyDiamond

My little old lady Truffy is coming up for 7 and has recently started dragging her hind legs. We've taken her to the vet, who said there are no breaks or trauma and it's probably due to old age. We've tried giving her calcium, as recommended by Peter Gurney, but it doesn't appear to have made any difference to her. She's still alert and eating and drinking, although she doesn't have as much of an appetite as before. She has also started to bald a bit on her tummy due to sitting down more, so we've been bathing her to try and ensure she doesn't get too sore or dirty.

Questions are then has anyone got any advice for how we can keep her as comfy and happy as possible? (She lives indoors) Has anyone else had this happen to their piggies? And is it worth us continuing with the calcium, even if it's making no obvious difference? Thanks in advance for any help/advice! :)
 
I've heard of a similar case. They checked the pig in every way possible, but couldn't finde anything wrong.
At last the vet gave the pig an injektion of corticosteroid (I think it's called). He was completely normal shortly after:)
 
Welcome to the Forum.

Sorry that Truffy is struggling with her legs - it must be a big worry for you.

Are you giving her Osteocare? This is something I've heard of but I don't have any experience of this kind of problem with any of my own pigs. I've also heard that scurvy can sometimes cause lameness so it might perhaps be a good idea to give additional vitamin C.

I'm no expert but hopefully other, more experienced, people will be able to offer more useful advice. Really hope that you can find a way of helping Truffy x
 
Thanks for so much for your suggestions, getting a bit worried about her now as her appetite has dropped :( I've given her liquid calcium, not osteocare but very similar and some vitamin C too and going to carrying on dosing her with both for the next few days.

Going to try syringe feeding her in the morning if she hasn't eaten the rest of her dinner by then as well. Fingers crossed! x
 
Hi Candy, sorry to hear Truffy is dragging her legs.

First thoughts are to continue to increased Vit C, I give 50-100mg per day for a pig who is not eating independently. In all honesty I would stop the calcium if it's made no difference to her within, say 10-14 days.

Arthritis is one possibility, have anti-inflammatories/painkillers been tried?

Has she been checked for bladder stones/infection? There would be more symptoms with this, but worth mentioning as inflamed bladders due to infection or stone can cause hind leg mobility problems.
 
Thanks Laura! She hasn't been checked for bladder problems as far as I know (my parents took her to the vets whilst I was away) and doesn't seem to be having any toilet trouble at the moment, but will definitely keep an eye on her.

The vet didn't think it was arthritis, one of my boars, Choco, was arthritic and looking at Truffy she doesn't seem to have the same symptoms that he did. She's actually stopped dragging today, for the first time in a week or so and is sitting up properly on all fours, but still not walking around much or eating loads.
 
Encouraging her to eat?

Wasn't sure whether to add this here or start a new thread, but as it's all related... just wondering if anyone has any tips about feeding?

Truffs seems a bit perkier since the vitamin C but still isn't eating much. Just given her some grass which she's eaten and she's had a bit of dried food and water, but not really touched her breakfast (spinach and cucumber).

I don't really want to resort to syringe feeding as she's already grumpy about being syringe fed vitamins. Any ideas about good foods/ approaches to try with her? Thanks!
 
It's worth bearing in mind that pain can sometimes cause loss of/reduced appetite although I appreciate that that's not really a great deal of help if you don't know what the problem is in the first place. Personally I'd be tempted to try an anti-inflammatory/painkiller like Metacam, to see if this improves things, but I'm no expert and your Vet may not think it necessary.
 
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