Front leg paralysis

[Wilhelmina]

I have a guinea pig that’s about 3 years old. Up until yesterday she was fine and I noticed she was staying inside her house all day. I thought nothing about it until I gave her food and an hour later she hasn’t eaten them. (When it comes to vegetable I feed her separately from the rest because my other two pigs becomes aggressive over fresh veggies.)

I got concerned when I noticed she’s also been on her side all day and finally decided to move her towards her food. I left her again for half an hour and when I came back she was in the same spot I placed her, on her side.

I attempted to stand her up right but she would topple over. At first I thought it was her back legs problem until I looked over her and realized she doesn’t move her front legs at all. I place her down and she’s standing well on her back legs but it’s her front legs she’s not. I can’t take her to the vet until next week and I’m concerned. She lost a lot a weight in one day, but she eats if I put food right in front of.

I just hand fed her to make sure she’s eating and also had to give her water myself.

 

[Wilhelmina]

For further information about Chip, I always give her the Oxbow vitamin C treats (one tablet per day), constant supply of Timothy hay, and about a 1/8 cups of pebbles for the day. For veggies it’s romane lettuce, carrots, and parsley mix and I give roughly a cup of fresh veggies a day to her.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m in no way knowledgable but you really do need to get her to the vet. Is there no one you could ask to take her there, or go to an out of hours one? Next week is far away...is she eating the usual amount of veggies she did before?

Someone more knowledgable will be along in the morning.

@Wiebke

 

[Wilhelmina]

I’m in no way knowledgable but you really do need to get her to the vet. Is there no one you could ask to take her there, or go to an out of hours one? Next week is far away...is she eating the usual amount of veggies she did before?

Someone more knowledgable will be along in the morning.

@Wiebke

The vet near me only has a doctor who foes Guinea pigs come in on Saturday and Sunday is when I noticed the situation. Considering I’m unable to drive myself and my friend is the one who will be taking me, she doesn’t want to drive far.

I spent an hour with her today making sure she eats her usual amount of veggies but I'm worried she won’t eat her hay if I don’t hand feed her. I made sure everything is within her reach and I’m not sure if I should just separate her from the other Guineas. I’m afraid she’ll get lonely if I do separate them.

 

[Siikibam]

Are there any other (recommended here) cavy savvy vets near you?

Not sure what’s best re the hay and separating.

How much weight has she lost?

 

[Wilhelmina]

Are there any other (recommended here) cavy savvy vets near you?

Not sure what’s best re the hay and separating.

How much weight has she lost?

There’s no other vets near me that does Guinea pigs, (I live in a small town.)

Friday when I weighed here she was around 2.8 pounds and this morning she weighed around 2.2 pounds which is a big drop and it’s a lot noticeable as she is almost half the size of the other guineas. Before she was slightly bigger then them.

 

[Siikibam]

Ok...I don’t think that’s too significant a drop in weight, but don’t take my word for it. I’d say have a read through the guides for ill piggies and see. Otherwise it’s a case of waiting for concrete advise in the morning.

 

[Reggie&Chunk]

Can’t really offer much more than others have said but I would definitely syringe feed her until you can get her to a vet. They can go downhill so rapidly once they reduce/stop eating and drop weight. Not sure what to suggest about separation as my boys are separated anyway but I’m sure someone will be along soon who can help

 

[Lady Kelly]

Judging by Google calculations your piggy has lost over 270 grams in weight in the space of a few days which is incredibly significant. Our general advice is loss of 50g or more in a week needs investigation. You need to see a vet and promptly if your piggy is going to have any chance of surviving.

Please step in immediately with syringe feeding
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Please get to a vet asap. Unfortunately, apart from syringe feeding to ensure they have enough food going in, there is nothing more you can do for your piggy without a vet consultation. It unfortunately sounds like they are seriously ill.

 

[Siikibam]

Sorry!, it was late and I was tired. Obviously miscalculated the weight loss. Please let us know how she’s fairing. Hopefully she will last till next week with the syringe feeding.