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Limping suddenly

S

sx300

New Born Pup
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Hi,

About a week ago we came back from a trip that lasted about 3 days. Our friend took care of our guinea pig (3.5 years old) as usual but when we got her back I noticed she wasnt as active anymore. Now I thought it was because she was getting old but today she got a limp now on her right back leg. Typically we let her roam around the house and she likes to explore but during the week she didnt move much. Perhaps she got injured somehow and was really good at hiding it until today?

Shes been eating like a queen and drinking fine. She's been pooping and peeing like normal and even today, with her limp shes been relatively active in her cage (jumping on her platform as usual) but sleeping more.
Now on that foot, there is a long nail that we need to cut (My fault!) And i am hoping that would be why shes limping now? Ill cut it tomorrow when theres more light. I exammed her foot and didnt see any excessisve redness or inflamation nor do I expect her leg to be broken.

We are going to take her to the vet if she doesnt improve in a few days but does anyone have any additional advice or suggestions for the cause?
 
Edit: I meant that I dont know if her leg is broken.
 
I highly doubt that the nail will be the problem. I took on a piggy with massively overgrown nails before and they didn't cause any mobility problems. Hopefully the vet can get to the bottom of the problem and fingers crossed its something like a sprain that will heal quickly.
 
sx300 said:
Hi,

About a week ago we came back from a trip that lasted about 3 days. Our friend took care of our guinea pig (3.5 years old) as usual but when we got her back I noticed she wasnt as active anymore. Now I thought it was because she was getting old but today she got a limp now on her right back leg. Typically we let her roam around the house and she likes to explore but during the week she didnt move much. Perhaps she got injured somehow and was really good at hiding it until today?

Shes been eating like a queen and drinking fine. She's been pooping and peeing like normal and even today, with her limp shes been relatively active in her cage (jumping on her platform as usual) but sleeping more.
Now on that foot, there is a long nail that we need to cut (My fault!) And i am hoping that would be why shes limping now? Ill cut it tomorrow when theres more light. I exammed her foot and didnt see any excessisve redness or inflamation nor do I expect her leg to be broken.

We are going to take her to the vet if she doesnt improve in a few days but does anyone have any additional advice or suggestions for the cause?
Click to expand...

Hi! Sprains in lively guinea pigs that jump a lot are not at all uncommon - all it takes is a bad landing. The problem can sit in any joint right up to the shoulder/hip joint.

If she is still in discomfort by tomorrow morning, please see a vet.

The limping can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity. If a weight bearing front leg is affected, then the limping will be worse that if it is a back leg, that acts more as a propelling spring. If your girl is in real pain and not at able (instead of just unwilling) to put any weight on a leg, then it is a break.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Sprains in lively guinea pigs that jump a lot are not at all uncommon - all it takes is a bad landing. The problem can sit in any joint right up to the shoulder/hip joint.

If she is still in discomfort by tomorrow morning, please see a vet.

The limping can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity. If a weight bearing front leg is affected, then the limping will be worse that if it is a back leg, that acts more as a propelling spring. If your girl is in real pain and not at able (instead of just unwilling) to put any weight on a leg, then it is a break.
Click to expand...


Hi,

Thats what I'm hoping. Ive attatched s videos of her walking. I dont think it looks to be broken but badly sore? After I took the 2nd video she mnaged to scratch herself with her back (hurt)left foot but weaker than normal (as expected)- perhaps this would be an indicator of it not broken? It looks like she can use her back leg but doesnt want to. Unfortuantely, it seemed to be worse today than yesterday. But she does seem to be active with her usual activities (eating, begging, pooping).

Thanks

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Edit: Shes been jumping on the platform like a bad piggie. Would she really be doing that if her leg was broken? Shes confusing haha
 
sx300 said:
Edit: Shes been jumping on the platform like a bad piggie. Would she really be doing that if her leg was broken? Shes confusing haha
Click to expand...

Her leg is painful, but it is definitely not broken. Please still see a vet if you are in very way worried or your piggy is in pain.
 
Thanks.

Now, I know the severity is unknown at this point but how long do you expect to see some sort of improvement for a twisted or stained leg? The nearest exotic vet is about an hour away and I dont want to put her through the stress of car traveling when theres a possibility of her improving on her own relatively soon.
 
sx300 said:
Thanks.

Now, I know the severity is unknown at this point but how long do you expect to see some sort of improvement for a twisted or stained leg? The nearest exotic vet is about an hour away and I dont want to put her through the stress of car traveling when theres a possibility of her improving on her own relatively soon.
Click to expand...

I would take her to the vet as soon as possible during normal hours. She is clearly in pain and needs pain relief. It would be most unkind to leave her suffering. An anti-inflammatory is likely to help the sprain to heal quicker also
 
I would take her to see a vet to get peace of mind that it is only a sprain and to get some pain relief/anti inflammatory medication for her.
 
Hit post too soon.
Meant to have added:
Hope all goes well when you see a vet. Please keep us posted
 
Hi all.

Just took her to the vet. Vet did a physical check and said her leg was little bit bigger. He took an XRay he said 1) if its an fracture, its a small one and should heal on its own in a few weeks Or 2) She sprained or twisted her leg but should improve in 3-4 days. Either way, its very good news it isnt something severe. He gave us some anti inflammatory medicine to use in the next 3 days.
 
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