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Adele Zavala

New Born Pup
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Dec 30, 2017
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My guinea pig is no longer using his back legs the vet said he is too old my guinea pig is 8 years old so he has a hard time time dragging himself in his cage I wonder if I can just use like towels or what can I use instead of bedding on his cage to make it easier for him to move around with his his hands only.
 
I'm not sure if it's just me that thinks this, but I think your guinea pig may be in pain and even if you change the bedding in his cage, it won't help his situation. If you go to a good, qualified exotic vet, I'd take their advice.
 
Welcome to our friendly forum @Adele Zavala. I think the same as @winifredandalp that your piggie is probably in pain. To get him to the grand old age of 8 is amazing! You must be a very devoted piggie slave! Did the vet mention pain relief at all? Or maybe now is the time to say goodbye as he has obviously had a lovely life with you? Helping them to the Rainbow Bridge is the last act of love we can give our pets. I know you love him very much but you need to think of his quality of life now. You are obviously concerned about him as you took him to the vet.
 
Couldn't have worded it better @Betsy ! I'm sure your piggie has lived and long and fulfilling life, but if he is in pain the sensible decision would be to peacefully end his suffering, however hard it could be.
 
@Adele Zavala Has he been prescribed any pain relief, such as Metacam? He could be in pain and the vet should provide you with something to help him.

Has he been xrayed for arthritis? Older pigs can get arthritis and it affects the movement of their spine, hips and legs. One of my boys started to hop because he couldn't move his back legs properly. Pain relief would help him and also a glucosamine supplement could help.

Using bedding like VetBed is the best for a pig with limited movement. It's very soft and wicks urine through it so it stays dry. Pigs are very susceptible to urine scald when they can't move around so bedding needs to be changed regularly.
 
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