Specialist Guinea Pig Limping (but There’s More) Please Help

[nAVAjo]

Hey all, something really weird is going on with one of my guinea pigs.

I’ve had her for about 1.5 years, and after a couple months I noticed she had a limp in her back left leg. I of course took her to the vet and he didn’t feel anything wrong on inspection. He prescribed some pain meds and said if it doesn’t go away to come in again for an X-ray. Well a couple days went by and it seemed like she was getting better.

Then a few weeks later she was limping on a different leg. I started giving her left over pain meds and took her to the vet. This time having them do an X Ray. The vet said the X-ray was negative

This has become a persistent problem. It seems like once a month she’s limping on a leg (changing every time, sometimes it’s the front right paw. Sometimes a back left leg). This has been going on for over a year now and she has been eating and drinking normal the entire time. I really have no idea what to do and I can’t afford to pay for x rays all the time as they’re very expensive. I have been giving her the pain meds whenever I notice a limp so she isn’t uncomfortable all the time but that’s getting so expensive as well.

Just the other day I noticed she’s limping on both a front right paw and back left leg at the same time!

My cage only has one level so I have no idea what she could be hurting them on. Is there any way there’s some sort of nervous system problem or something?

I’m afraid that she’s in pain even with the pain meds and walking around seems so difficult for her currently as she has two injured feet. I really hope someone can help!

 

[Reenie]

I'm no expert, but I know older piggies can be prone to arthritis, which would perk up with pain relief. Has your vet checked for this? Someone more knowledgeable will come along soon who may have a better idea.

 

[Betsy]

Can't help as have no experience of this but just want to send healing vibes to your gorgeous girl and hugs to you.welcome to our friendly forum!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am very sorry for your ongoing issues. This is very unusual. Guinea pigs can develop a sprain from landing badly on a leg and have a weaker leg for a while as a result if the sprain has been a bad one, but it doesn't normally switch around. Arthritis would be visible on an x-ray and impact on the same leg all the time.

It is more likely a neurological problem, which can be very difficult to diagnose and to treat as this area is pretty much unresearched. I would also ask your vet to check the heart.

@Abi_nurse @helen105281 @Jaycey @Freela

 

[Tiamolly123]

Hope she gets well soon, sending healing vibes her way.

 

[Merab]

Sorry I can’t answer the question but just wanted to offer support

 

[nAVAjo]

I will make an appointment for after work and ask the vet to check her heart. I’ll also see what options they have for figuring out if it’s neurological or not. Just brainstaroming for ideas to ask the vet and make sure I cover all bases. Thanks everyone for replying and for the good wishes.

 

[Merab]

Hope all goes well at the vets.
Keep us posted

 

[Abi_nurse]

There are many things that could cause this type of lameness but i would be concerned about two main things-
- low vitamin C levels causing pain in the joints
- osteodystrophy if your piggie is a satin breed.

There are lots of other causes but the above I would say are the most common. Perhaps your little piggie can have a full neurological assessment too with your vet as it could be anything from a simple sprain to neurological issues.

You may want to consider seeing an exotic specialist about this. Filming your piggies lameness will also be helpful for the vets if it's intermittent.