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Hind leg paralysis

Tabybim

Tabybim

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hertfordshire,England
My 5 + year old sow Joan, has been unwell for a couple of weeks, diarrhoea not wanting to come out of bed , now I’ve noticed she is dragging her back legs. When she’s sitting her hind legs are just splayed out behind her. She has been to the vet and was treated for her stomach upset and she has a appointment today. Has anyone had this happen to their guinea pigs? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Yes and it needs addressing asap.
Great news going to vet.
Hope you get some answers. . I can't advise but I've had a piggie who lost use of her back legs.
All the best
 
It could be a number of things. Good luck with the vet and let us know what they say. Hope it’s easily treatable.
 
Tabybim said:
My 5 + year old sow Joan, has been unwell for a couple of weeks, diarrhoea not wanting to come out of bed , now I’ve noticed she is dragging her back legs. When she’s sitting her hind legs are just splayed out behind her. She has been to the vet and was treated for her stomach upset and she has a appointment today. Has anyone had this happen to their guinea pigs? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi!

The problem is likely related and may be located outside the gut but impacting on both digestion and mobility (pain or pressure, or both), so please make sure that you mention it before you hand your piggies over; ideally by asking the receptionist to put on the piggy's file.

You can find more information on mobility related issues and diarrhea in these two guides here, including potential causes and daily care tips:
Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Please be aware that they news may not necessarily be good. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your poorly girl!
 
Thank you all for your concern for Joan. Sadly the vet said their was nothing they could do and that she was in some discomfort, therefore it was in joans best interest to end her life to ensure she would not suffer in the future.
Joan had previously been a very healthy pig and I hope she had a good life with me since I rescued her and her sister, Daphne about 4 years ago. She will be missed..
 
Tabybim said:
Thank you all for your concern for Joan. Sadly the vet said their was nothing they could do and that she was in some discomfort, therefore it was in joans best interest to end her life to ensure she would not suffer in the future.
Joan had previously been a very healthy pig and I hope she had a good life with me since I rescued her and her sister, Daphne about 4 years ago. She will be missed..
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So sorry for your loss holding you in my heart x
 
Tabybim said:
Thank you all for your concern for Joan. Sadly the vet said their was nothing they could do and that she was in some discomfort, therefore it was in joans best interest to end her life to ensure she would not suffer in the future.
Joan had previously been a very healthy pig and I hope she had a good life with me since I rescued her and her sister, Daphne about 4 years ago. She will be missed..
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BIG HUGS

I am so sorry; these things always come as such a nasty shock and unfortunately can happen at any age. As an owner, you can give your piggies only ever a happy life but you can never choose when and what from they die. All you can do is spare them any unnecessary suffering when things go wrong much more quickly than with a human because of their much faster metabolism. :(

You have made exactly the right decision as Joan's quality of life was no longer there and a recovery not in sight. Whatever caused her her symptoms was in my own experience all on the nasty and difficult to impossible to cure side of things. At the best you would have bought her a slower death on a cocktail of meds and a growing rat-tail fo secondary complications.

Please be kind to yourself and do not beat yourself up during the soul searching stages at the onset of the grieving process. Joan was lucky to find a caring owner like you!

You can find practical advice for what you can do for Daphne in the immediate and longer term, information to help you make sense for your own feelings and experiences today and in the coming weeks as well as confirmation re. your decision to pts (if you feel it would help you) plus access to additional resources via this link here: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
 
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