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Specialist Hind legs not working

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Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello,
This is regarding Tutu, my female piggy who is a little over four years old. She had stopped using her hind legs previously ( a range of a year and a half) and then regained normal movement. But since one month she stopped using the rear legs and is not recovering now.
The vet suggested an X-ray which showed swelling and bone growth in both legs. He gave a painkiller and an antibiotic(baytril). Also suggested to up her vit c dose to 50 mg per day. The piggy appeared happier but continued to drag herself using front legs only. Now I have been referred for physio therapy and visited the hospital twice after that. They are giving and suggested warm compress and massage. Painkiller plus cisapride orally.
There is a laser treatment available but they say it can make things worse if the swelling is a tumor. They believe she has improved and will try acupuncture if she improves further when they see her on Saturday.
Tutu has been eating and pooping normally. Her weight dropped about two ounces and stays there.
I wish to hear from piggy parents who have experienced this or have better information regarding such conditions.
Thank you!
 
It doesn't sound like a neurological issue then as she can move her legs.

I don't really have much experience unfortunately so can't really offer any advice, sorry.

I really hope the acupuncture works. I have seen videos on YouTube of water therapy for dogs. I wonder if that would be an option for her...
 
It doesn't sound like a neurological issue then as she can move her legs.

I don't really have much experience unfortunately so can't really offer any advice, sorry.

I really hope the acupuncture works. I have seen videos on YouTube of water therapy for dogs. I wonder if that would be an option for her...
Thank you, Jaycey! I will check about water therapy as
Welcome to the forum.
I can’t offer advice but just wanted to add support[/QUOTE
It doesn't sound like a neurological issue then as she can move her legs.

I don't really have much experience unfortunately so can't really offer any advice, sorry.

I really hope the acupuncture works. I have seen videos on YouTube of water therapy for dogs. I wonder if that would be an option for her...
Thank you Jacey, I shall check about water therapy as I am not aware of it. I really appreciate your response and concern.
 
Neurology is highly complicated subject but for this little piggie there are a few things I would think it could be if what could be done-
- e.cuniculi - this is a parasite which we associate with rabbits but piggies certainly can have, and would explain the piggie getting better, I would trial a 28 day course of panacur or some anti virals.
- a spinal lesion could be an abscess or a tumour, either of these will not get better on there own, the piggie needs more advanced imaging to determine it but this would cost money unfortunately
- I'm confused by what you mean by extra bone growth, if this is in the spine bones it's probably spianl spondylitis which is like arthritis of the spine
- there is also a chance it's a vetribral disc problem but without MRI you would be certain
- try some drugs such as gabapentin, this is good for neuropathys (paresis like this)
- consider the use of a drug call amantadine - only beginning to be used in veterinary medicine recently but would be worth a try
- physiotherapy will help with the hind leg muscles to keep them toned and help with a recovery
- hydrotherapy is another form of physiotherapy worth considering as mentioned above
- laser therapy is worth a try but it depends on exactly what is wrong weather it will make a difference or not.

Hope this info is of use. Without more medical info I cannot be very specific about the help. Sorry.
 
Neurology is highly complicated subject but for this little piggie there are a few things I would think it could be if what could be done-
- e.cuniculi - this is a parasite which we associate with rabbits but piggies certainly can have, and would explain the piggie getting better, I would trial a 28 day course of panacur or some anti virals.
- a spinal lesion could be an abscess or a tumour, either of these will not get better on there own, the piggie needs more advanced imaging to determine it but this would cost money unfortunately
- I'm confused by what you mean by extra bone growth, if this is in the spine bones it's probably spianl spondylitis which is like arthritis of the spine
- there is also a chance it's a vetribral disc problem but without MRI you would be certain
- try some drugs such as gabapentin, this is good for neuropathys (paresis like this)
- consider the use of a drug call amantadine - only beginning to be used in veterinary medicine recently but would be worth a try
- physiotherapy will help with the hind leg muscles to keep them toned and help with a recovery
- hydrotherapy is another form of physiotherapy worth considering as mentioned above
- laser therapy is worth a try but it depends on exactly what is wrong weather it will make a difference or not.

Hope this info is of use. Without more medical info I cannot be very specific about the help. Sorry.
The bone growth is in legs in the thigh area. It is painful for the piggy to walk and not a paralysis.
How do you contract the mentioned parasite? My other piggy has been healthy all the while.
I shall certainly talk to the vet about hydrotherapy and advanced imaging as well.
Thank you very much for the response!
 
The bone growth is in legs in the thigh area. It is painful for the piggy to walk and not a paralysis.
How do you contract the mentioned parasite? My other piggy has been healthy all the while.
I shall certainly talk to the vet about hydrotherapy and advanced imaging as well.
Thank you very much for the response!

When it's not paralysis it's called paresis. They can get this with all sorts of issues, very interesting about the extra bone growth though, I would normally associate this with cancer in other species.

The parasite can be in the environment and piggies can carry it without any clinical signs of illness until they potentially become immunosuppressed in anyway and in which case symptoms like this would flare up. Piggies would likely pick the disease up if they are in close contact with rabbits at any point in their life, especially rabbit urine. I would think that many piggies these days are likely to pick it up from the breeding situations and conditions many are subjected to where often multiple animals are being bred on mass.
 
Thanks so much for your post. My piggy was not bred near/ with rabbits. She has taken two rounds of acupuncture and had started standing. Then the vet decided to stop Metacam and cisapride. He gave her calcium supplements, sunlight one hour and warm compress. After three days, I feel she got worse. She is somewhat afraid of me. Not liking me to touch her. Eating normally. I am afraid she is suffering.
 
He said that it will hurt her stomach as she has taken it for three weeks or so..
Thanks!
 
Please give her the metacam again as she is suffering with pain based on your post. I've had guinea pigs who were in metacam for months and none of them had stomach problems. Guinea pigs tolerate metacam quite well.
 
Please give her the metacam again as she is suffering with pain based on your post. I've had guinea pigs who were in metacam for months and none of them had stomach problems. Guinea pigs tolerate metacam quite well.
Yes, I will. Thank you!
 
Tutu has had three rounds of acupuncture. She is taking.5cc calcium and I am giving her metacam. She looks brighter and movements are stronger. No improvement in legs though.
 
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