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Not moving but still chirpy?

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LizzieH

LizzieH

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Hi,
My boyfriend and I recently bought 2 guinea pigs, and this week we left them at home with his parents while we went to visit my family. They were very well looked after, but 2 days ago they noticed one of our guineas had stopped moving his back legs. He's perked up a bit now and is still eating and drinking in healthy amounts. I've also tried to feel for any swelling and haven't felt anything strange, although I haven't wanted to pick him up in case I hurt him.
At the moment he seems happy enough and doesn't look to be in pain, but is just lying in his cage not really moving, occasionally pulling himself to another spot, whilst his buddy is absolutely fine.
I'm new to this forum and worried for my little man so if anyone can offer any advice I'd be very grateful. I have read other stories which are similar, but any fresh advice would be really appreciated.
Thank you!
 
Hi & welcome to the forum :) It sounds like an injury perhaps. Have they got any ramps/shelves in their cage or hutch? It is probably best looked at by a vet.
 
Guinea pigs hide any pain they feel so the poor thing is probably in a lot of pain. You need to take him to the vet immediatly.
 
Sudden lameness can due to several causes:
- "overnight lameness" is caused by a sudden drop in calcium. It is usually treated with liquid osteocare and gentle massages.
- an injury to the spine or a sprain to the back
- vitamin C deficiency: http://www.guinealynx.info/scurvy.html

Please have your guinea pig seen by a vet as soon as possible.
 
Ok thank you very much for your comments. They have no ramps etc in their cage which is why I was confused as to how he would have managed an injury. We're going to take him to the vets tomorrow and hopefully it won't be bad news!
 
I hope your piggie gets better. I agree with wiebke on what it could be, i would say likely a spinal injury, even falling funny from being handled and jumping out of hands could cause piggies to twist their backs etc. I'm glad your going soon, your piggie may be in a lot of pain, so keep a very close eye on him. Fingers crossed for you, please let us all know how you get on.

x.
 
Is there even a small chance that one was dropped while being looked after and you werent told as they felt bad/he seemed fine etc? Not making any suggestions about your piggy sitters of course, just a suggestion. They are squirmy little critters when they want to be! Sounds like he really needs to go see a vet though.
 
Update

We went to the vet today and apparently our guinea has a rare ear infection which is usually only found in rabbits. We've been given drops and vitamin C to give to him so hopefully he'll be ok. There's a 1 in 3 chance he'll pull through so all of our fingers crossed!
 
I hope he improves! All fingers and paws crossed for you :)
Squeaky (my disabled piggie, cant move his back legs either) sends healing vibes to your piggie! Xx
 
I had a rabbit with it and he never had a blood test, just nothing else fitted. Fingers crossed for you and your little guy! Let us know how he gets on xx
 
fingers crossed for the little piggie. When I worked at a school I was away for a couple of days and the guinea pig just suddenly stopped moving. They think he had been dropped by one of the students, although no one knew anything about it. Keep us updated..xx
 
Thank you all very much for your kind wishes! They seem (touch wood) to have worked because, against the odds, he's recovering very, very well! From not being able to move at all he's now almost back to his old self - Thrilled!
 
Best of luck! I am glad that things are looking up!

PS: It is no longer recommended by the RSPCA and other animal welfare orginasations to keep guinea pigs and rabbits together. There are unfortunately some illnesses that can be transmitted, apart from the very differnt food and vitamin requirements and the danger from the rabbit's kicking reflex.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/rabbits.htm
 
Wiebke said:
Best of luck! I am glad that things are looking up!

PS: It is no longer recommended by the RSPCA and other animal welfare orginasations to keep guinea pigs and rabbits together. There are unfortunately some illnesses that can be transmitted, apart from the very differnt food and vitamin requirements and the danger from the rabbit's kicking reflex.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/rabbits.htm
Click to expand...

Thank you! We actually just have two male guinea pigs and no rabbits, which is why it was strange as to how he had this particular illness. Good to know they have introduced these guidelines though, I'm sure there will be much happier guineas out there!
 
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