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Not Putting Weight On Back Leg

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Heather Gail

Heather Gail

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Hi, I could do with some advice.
My girl Pippa has a problem with one of her back legs.

Yesterday I noticed she had it raised and wasn't putting any weight on it. She is still moving round the cage and eating and drinking fine, but limping really badly.

I got her to the vets and the pad on the base of her foot is a bit swollen. The vet couldn't see any sign of trauma so thinks she may have twisted her ankle. She's been given metacam and is getting 0.2ml twice a day.

Is there anything else I can do or has anyone else had this with their guinea pig? Does it resolve itself or will I need to take her back for xray?
 
what else did the vet say?

the best thing to do with a foot/leg injury would be to try and get Pippa to rest, not too much running about. (easier said than done I know)
 
Sprains do happen and can take a while to heal. Just try to get her to rest up (restrict floor/run time and space) and continue with the metacam. One of my girls has just had a week and a half on metacam and is now much improved.
 
She said to bring Pippa back next week if she still wasn't putting weight on it and at that point it would be xrays. Pippa is resting more than usual, she's not running around. Only moving to get more hay and water and nuggets.
 
:D Bonnie had a similar problem with her back leg some months ago. She too was put on Metacam. I was also told to restrict her movements for a few days. This I did by putting a C and C grid across the front of her Trixie box. That allowed me to hang a water bottle in the box and also allowed her to communicate with her hus-pig Clyde.
 
As long as she's eating and drinking that's reassuring. And it's good to have a review if she's still limping. Most of these things are very worrying for us but usually resolve themselves. Well done for spotting it and getting her some metacam. That's both pain relief and anti inflammatory so should make her feel better. Hope she improves soon.
 
I don't have a way of restricting her movement more than not giving her any floor time. I've removed all but one cosy and a tunnel to stop her climbing over things and making it worse. Good to know others have had this happen and it's likely it will mend in time.
 
Violet just stayed in her usual C and C cage with Connie. I just took out the hay tray to stop her climbing in and out and put a pile on the floor instead. She's been out today with no signs of a limp. These things usually get better in time. You are a good piggy owner for noticing and treating it.
 
Couldn't not spot it, I'd never seen her lying with her foot up like that as as soon as she moved it was obvious something was wrong. She must have done it over night.

I've been paranoid piggie owner since my first piggie passed away earlier this year. That's for all the advice everyone, sounds like I just have to wait and see how she gets on.
 
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