Hopping On Back Legs Instead Of Walking

[Calemmett27]

Hello everyone, new to this but had guinea pigs since I was younger. Got a guinea pig at home and for last week or two she doesn't seem to be moving back legs properly. She seems to hop around on them and never walk on them. She's still eating and drinking and doesn't seem in pain. She seems like she is stiff on them. She's only two and a half so was thinking it couldn't be age related. Never seen something like this. Thinking of going vets with her. I am getting quite worried now in case it's something serious but all in all she seems fine apart from her back legs. If anyone has any advice would love to hear from you x

 

[Wiebke]

Hello everyone, new to this but had guinea pigs since I was younger. Got a guinea pig at home and for last week or two she doesn't seem to be moving back legs properly. She seems to hop around on them and never walk on them. She's still eating and drinking and doesn't seem in pain. She seems like she is stiff on them. She's only two and a half so was thinking it couldn't be age related. Never seen something like this. Thinking of going vets with her. I am getting quite worried now in case it's something serious but all in all she seems fine apart from her back legs. If anyone has any advice would love to hear from you x

Hi and welcome!

Please have her checked by a competent vet to get her properly looked at for a diagnosis and - if possible - suitable treatment.
- strain in the leg
- spinal injury or neurological issue
- scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)
- arthritis - in rare cases arthritis can affect younger guinea pigs the same as some forms of arthritis can affect young humans

@Adelle @helen105281

 

[Calemmett27]

Thanks for getting back to me, I've been keeping her separate from her other cage mates during the day. Noticed the alpha female pulling at her fur on back end. She has been moving her legs more instead of hopping but still going to get her checked out by a vet. x