Limping piggy

[Hemmy]

Hi everyone.
Tonight Daphne is having some trouble with her front right foot. She is limping and struggling to put the foot on the side of the food bowl when she's eating.
She's been fine all day, with a good appetite and lots of running around. I've been in the room with them all evening (I've recently moved them inside for the winter) and then at around 10pm she cleaned herself, stopped, and was limping!
My current plan is to wait til morning, keep an eye on her and check the foot well with a magnifying glass tomorrow, then take it from there?
Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be wrong?
Thank you
x

 

[Pebble]

Hi

Without actually seeing your piggie it's difficult to say anything. Can you post a picture of her foot?

You're clearly a very observant piggie slave so well done for noticing. Even with a photo we'd probably suggest you see a vet (pronto) for a diagnosis and any meds that may be needed...especially given the impending Xmas break and non-availability of good vets!

As Christmas is coming up..can you get her in to see a cavy savvy vet tomorow or saturday?

Let us know where you are if you don;t have a cavy savvy vet and perhaps we can recommend someone.

HTH
x

 

[Hemmy]

Update

Hmmm,
This morning there's still no sign of any redness or swelling on the pads of her feet. She also lets me move the leg around without squealing or moving away. I just lured her out of bed for a closer look with a red pepper and she ate the whole thing, so her appetite is still very healthy!
She's still limping but moving around and playing with her sisters.
She does, however, have a very sharp little claw that looks like it could be stabbing her. I tried to cut it on my own but struggled and I've put her back home til someone gets in later
If she was a human I'd be inclined to say it's a sprain/strain, just because it came on after a day of jumping and running around. Is that possible in pigs? Or is the rogue-growing nail more likely?
x

 

[Hemmy]

Hi

Let us know where you are if you don;t have a cavy savvy vet and perhaps we can recommend someone.

I'm home from Uni so currently in Chesterfield, Near Sheffield.

 

[Little Pig]

Did you manage to get to the vets today? How is she?

 

[Hemmy]

Thank you for your concern
She hasn't seen a vet, no.
She seemed okay today, she even jumped on top of the shoe-box house and I've spotted her popcorning a few times!
I had another feel of the leg and foot and she didnt squeal (she's usually very vocal haha) but she does seem a little ginger on her feet and I've not seen her sat up on her back legs cleaning herself, just the odd lick and scratch. Very confusing!
Is my idea of 'keep a very close eye' for a few more days too laid back?
x

 

[Little Pig]

Only just caught up with this. If she continues to move around normally and doesn't seem to be having any further trouble with her foot/leg, then I think just keeping a close eye for the time being is fine. How is she getting on now, have you noticed any more problems?

 

[Piggyologist]

This does sound like one of our piggies that just had a sprain that went away by itself. She was given an antiinflamatory injection though to help her to recover. But there can be many reasons. If you do not see any improvement it's best to see a vet, but it would better be one that understands something about cavvies, otherwise it might be just a waste of money

 

[Hemmy]

She been completely fine for the last 2 days, running around, cleaning herself and not limping at all!
I didn't take her to the vet.
I think Daphne-pig does these things to keep me on my toes.
Thank you for your help, guys