Guinea pig is biting her feet & dragging her back legs

[kwest]

Hi everyone, I’ve recently got a guinea pig and he is about 4 weeks old. I’m quite worried because one morning he started dragging his back legs and has been doing so ever since. Also he’s biting his feet, I took him to the vets and they checked him out and gave him a steroid type injection. He’s eating fine, pooing fine and drink little water but isn’t moving round much and is biting his feet so bad that they’re bleeding. It looks as if his nails have been pulled out by himself. I spoke to a vet and they said that if his legs are paralysed he might be doing that because he can’t feel his legs... I’m just worried and would like some advice please

I have a very similar situation with my young guinea pig not using her back legs and biting her foot (chewed her toe down to the bone). Took to the vet and they aren’t sure etiology, but started on some antibiotics. What ended up happening with your guinea pig? Thanks!

 

[Ritika]

I have a very similar situation with my young guinea pig not using her back legs and biting her foot (chewed her toe down to the bone). Took to the vet and they aren’t sure etiology, but started on some antibiotics. What ended up happening with your guinea pig? Thanks!

Poor girl❤ did they bandaged her foot?

 

[kwest]

No they mentioned using a small c-collar (which I have ordered), but didn’t give us a clear answer on bandaging it. We have her lower body wrapped for now so she can’t get to her feet (earlier today she made the other foot bleed too). Right now we are doing oral antibiotics, oral NSAID, oral multivitamin supplement, and a spray antifungal because she has ringworm on her legs the vet says. They weren’t sure what is causing the paralysis or what the prognosis is so we are going to try the medicines and just see how she does with time. She is eating and otherwise acting normally. Still breaks my heart to see her like this.

 

[Piggies&buns]

No they mentioned using a small c-collar (which I have ordered), but didn’t give us a clear answer on bandaging it. We have her lower body wrapped for now so she can’t get to her feet (earlier today she made the other foot bleed too). Right now we are doing oral antibiotics, oral NSAID, oral multivitamin supplement, and a spray antifungal because she has ringworm on her legs the vet says. They weren’t sure what is causing the paralysis or what the prognosis is so we are going to try the medicines and just see how she does with time. She is eating and otherwise acting normally. Still breaks my heart to see her like this.

If would be much better for you to start your own thread on this matter to receive advice from the dedicated health and illness contributors, or any personal experience from other members.

 

[Ritika]

No they mentioned using a small c-collar (which I have ordered), but didn’t give us a clear answer on bandaging it. We have her lower body wrapped for now so she can’t get to her feet (earlier today she made the other foot bleed too). Right now we are doing oral antibiotics, oral NSAID, oral multivitamin supplement, and a spray antifungal because she has ringworm on her legs the vet says. They weren’t sure what is causing the paralysis or what the prognosis is so we are going to try the medicines and just see how she does with time. She is eating and otherwise acting normally. Still breaks my heart to see her like this.

I know it's really difficult watching your pets injured or ill they can even tell us how they are feeling or what they need but u ll be fine don't worry everything will be just like before in sometime with proper care❤

 

[VickiA]

No they mentioned using a small c-collar (which I have ordered), but didn’t give us a clear answer on bandaging it. We have her lower body wrapped for now so she can’t get to her feet (earlier today she made the other foot bleed too). Right now we are doing oral antibiotics, oral NSAID, oral multivitamin supplement, and a spray antifungal because she has ringworm on her legs the vet says. They weren’t sure what is causing the paralysis or what the prognosis is so we are going to try the medicines and just see how she does with time. She is eating and otherwise acting normally. Still breaks my heart to see her like this.

please don’t use a collar in a guinea pig. They are designed to eat their own poop ( caecotrophs) to get full nutrition from their food. A collar will prevent this.
I am moving your posts to a thread of their own.

 

[VickiA]

It would be helpful to know the following:
1. How old is this piggy
2. How long have you had her
3. Where did you get her from?
4. Does she live alone?
5. Are there any other symptoms?

what did the vet diagnose?

Has she been treated for mites as well as fungal?

 

[kwest]

She is about 5 months old, had her for 2 months, got her from pet store. We bought her along with one of her sisters, but we have separated them since she has gotten sick.
The vet never diagnosed anything but said it could be a number of things causing the paralysis. We have had her on antibiotics, antifungal, anti inflammatory, and vitamin supplements. We never used the c-collar. We wrapped her feet in a no chew bandage and she was doing well for the past 8 days (other than the feet dragging/paralysis) up until today. She has been laying on her side most of the day, chewing, but no longer purrs when you pet her, can’t hold herself up, and just recently starting having repeated rhythmic motions and looks to be uncomfortable and in distress. My husband just took her to exotic vet and I think most likely she will have to be put down tonight. Can’t watch her suffer

 

[kwest]

Exotic vet said it was likely a brain abscess and advised to put her down since she hadn’t responded to antibiotics and was clearly worsening. We put her down. Goodbye Ginger.

 

[hrsrdr]

I'm sorry! Lots of hugs to you!

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry for your loss.