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Grover - Gave Us A Scare - Back Legs Immobile

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lauraboara

lauraboara

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One of my new older piggies, little Grover gave me a scare on Wed evening as stopped using his back legs completely. He was not showing signs of distress more confusion as to why they were not working. He was 'commando crawling'. So rang emergency vet but pretty much was already doing what they suggested eg metacam, keeping him warm, calm and hydrated.
Saw vet yesterday (but not my preferred vet) and by then he was tottering about again.They were pretty convinced it was not neurological - phew. Grover has a metal pin in one leg from a fall when he was young (not with me) so arthritis is probably going to be the issue - they were no signs of a new injury. We are trying a week on metacam and then review his progress. He is looking brighter today.

Does anyone have dosage / hints on osteocare supplements in case that helps? He is only a little chap 800g. Thanks for any tips.
 
That is interesting info - thanks Piggyfan. And the supplements seem to be available widely in supermarkets, Boots etc. Have you seen a change in her with that regime?
 
Overnight lameness can be due to a sudden fall in calcium. It is usually treated with osteocare. You may want to check with your vet. the recovery rate is very good. However, you always need to exclude first that it is not another cause, as there is a wide range of things that can cause back leg paralysis. Generally, most piggies recover from it.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/paral.htm
 
Wiebke said:
Overnight lameness can be due to a sudden fall in calcium. It is usually treated with osteocare. You may want to check with your vet. the recovery rate is very good. However, you always need to exclude first that it is not another cause, as there is a wide range of things that can cause back leg paralysis. Generally, most piggies recover from it.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/paral.htm
Click to expand...
Thanks Wiekbe - the symptoms sound similar to the link - will look into that some more
 
Quick update on little Grover. Sadly the leg dragging (both) was not a one off event but happens from time to time since that first session. A review with my preferred vet suggested that he has arthritis in his pelvis - possibly pelvis was damaged when he was dropped as a youngster. The vet described his leg mobility as very poor so not good. We have upped his metacam. However, the good news is that a few days on the metacam has made a difference and he has put on some weight - Woo hoo. So chuffed with that but still worried. Long term metacam use seems to be on the cards but want him to be comfortable.
Trying to get hold of the Potters Pain relief tablets on the high street but no luck so far but still trying.
 
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