Guinea Pig Spinal Injury

[frankenwolf]

Hi all,

We've recently got ourselves a beautiful piggie called Juno, shes 4 months old and we've had her for 8 days. Shes been a wonderful pig all week, scurrying around, chatting, eating (though she can be picky!) and she has a large cage to stay in when she's not in her play area. Monday night she was totally herself, but by the next morning, she was totally different. She could barely move her front legs and her head was tilted to the right, she still ate and drank but her mobility was very limited, she did not want to move and she became very needy (cuddle-wise) and in pain. I took her to the vet as I was concerned about wry neck or stoke, and the vet has checked her out and said she doesn't have anything wrong with her ears, chest, mouth or eyes and she seems very normal except that she has difficulty walking, to which the vet has suggested she is likely to have a spinal injury of some sort!

I have no idea how shes managed to damage her spine overnight, she's been given an anti-inflammatory and painkiller and I was told to watch for any improvement for 24 hours before taking her back. After a few hours, she now seems to be able to waddle a short distance and is able to lift her head and hasn't made any audible complaints at all but as the evening has gone on shes grinding her teeth again, until she is cuddled.

My question is; are there any long-term treatments for her? Has anyone else had a piggie with a spine problem? I would hate to let her go as we have become very very attached and if her injury will heal with time, how can I keep her out of pain?

Thank you in advance

 

[helen105281]

I think it would be wise to get an xray done so the vet knows exactly what they are dealing with. Pain killers will help in the meantime. Some kind of vitamin crash is also a possibility.

Please could you update your location on your profile as it will help us help you.

 

[frankenwolf]

Thanks for replying I've updated by location (Bucks)

I'm going back to the vet this week so i will inquire about an x-ray for sure!
Would the vet prescribe any painkillers Juno might need for us to give her or will she administer them at the vets?
The injection she'd had today has made her a bit dopey, but she's straightened her neck and is sitting like she normally does so I think it's doing her some good, it's definitely relieved her pain and she can now waddle around a bit.

What is a vitamin crash? Is it upping the amount of vitamins in her diet? I've got her some vitamin treatment for her water and feeding her fresh veggies, she particularly likes bell pepper, spinach and dried dandelion, shes not at all amused by locust bean, broccoli or cucumber skin.

I know she's not meant to eat a lot of citrus fruits but I have read that small bits of orange will boost her Vit- C ?

Thanks for any advice,
Kate, Chloe (and Juno!)

 

[helen105281]

They should be able to give you some Metacam to give orally at home, twice a day is usually best as they have a fast metabolism. Glad she has improved after the injection.

I was thinking possibly a calcium crash (sudden drop in calcium) which can result in them not walking that well and is usually treated with calcium supplements for a set period of time like Osteocare. I would discuss that with your vet though. I think if the pain killer has helped it is more likely to be some kind of injury.

I would not put vitamins in the water as it is not that effective, as long as you feed a balanced diet they should be ok vitamin wise. If you want to boost vitamin c though I recommend Oxbow Daily C tablets.