Not walking right on her back right leg

[Harriet7]

yesterday when i put the guinea pigs in the run
i saw that frankie was not walking right on her back leg kinda hopping
i put her in a carry case to moniter her drinking eating pooing because i know that guinea pigs are prey animals so they hide there illness
she was doing everything fine
i dont really handle them ever so i am worryed that something has been wrong for a while and i have picked up on it becaue i dont handle them reguarly
today i had sent a form to the vets so they ring to book an appointment
i am not sure what could be wrong with her



sorry if its funny reading i am not good at typing/talking

 

[sport_billy]

Poor girl Definately needs a vets visit, hope she is ok

 

[Rodentopia]

Hope you get it sorted and she is ok, please let us know how you get on

 

[wenton5]

I would take her to the vet as well. Keep us posted! L and the gang

 

[Wiebke]

Good that you have booked her at the vets. Hopefully, it is just a bad sprain!

 

[Harriet7]

Went to the vets
Vet felt legs nothing is broken or fractured
She said it could be residual pain for a trauma or early arthrightis
She gave me metacam to give daily 0.18
Is metacam a common thing for guinea pig?
on the box it says for dogs but she said that they use it for guinea pigs
If it gets worse or doesn't improve I will take her on Friday maybe to get a X-ray
The vet wasn't really sure what was wrong, has anyone had anything happen like this?

Pooing weeing eating is normal
I think the metacam made her a little hyper though

 

[wenton5]

This is just my opinion and I have NO vet training. If the Metacam is making her hyper and she doesn't seem like she is in pain then I personally would not give it to her, that's just me. I have read that there are a few things that can point to a leg or legs having paralysis ( a seizure or spinal issues), it doesn't sound like that to me. If it was me I would get an xray asap. I would very very very very gently massage the limb but not until I got an xray. Make sure you have the correct dosage for the Metacam. I know that some people on the forum give their guineas a supplement for arthritis, maybe someone could recommend, but I also wouldn't do that until I had an xray. Watch her close. Is there anything in her cage or run that could cause her to trip or stumble? How old is she? Does she have any history of illness? How is the limb now? I personally don't feed my pigs fruit but if you do feed your piggies fruit I would stop and just do pellets, hay and veggies since fruit has sugar and can contribute to inflammation. Again, just my opinon. xo

Lara and the gang

 

[Pebble]

Stay on the metacam and also consider giving extra vit C...grind up Vit C tablets without zinc or other supplements, dissolve in water and give up to 50mg/kg daily for a bit.

Most guinea pig owners would give their right hand to have a vet that prescribed pain relief in the form of metacam to their pigs as all too often pain relief is overlooked by vets yet it is crucial when piggies are ill.

Metacam is the pain relief of choice for piggies unless there are contrary urinary symptoms in the form of kidney problems or there are plans to give the pig a steroid.

You have the dog version so 0.18ml is appropriate dosage providing your piggie weighs over 1.2kg.

If she doesn;t get better on the metacam over the next week or so - or deteriorates - then an Xray would be the next step.

Weigh her daily and make sure she is getting enough to eat to maintain her weight - syringe feed if necessary up to 20ml every 4 hours.
HTH
xxxxx

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

Sorry to hear your little one isn't 100%. Pebble beat me to it, totally agree with her post above. You are very lucky to have a vet that will prescribe Metacam, many wont. I would follow the advice you have been given by Pebble above and if there is no improvement after a week, take her back to see your vet again - good luck.

 

[Harriet7]

She's 2 1/2
I don't feed them fruit on a regular basis
I put her in the run and her leg has improved and she does seem much happier
The vit c tablets which are in the house are these http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=263469146
Do they seem all right does anyone use them?
Maybe I could sprinkle it over there food instead I don't want them not to drink water because they don't like it

Also the vets I went to were allcreatures healthcare in horsford

 

[sport_billy]

She's 2 1/2
I don't feed them fruit on a regular basis
I put her in the run and her leg has improved and she does seem much happier
The vit c tablets which are in the house are these http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=263469146
Do they seem all right does anyone use them?
Maybe I could sprinkle it over there food instead I don't want them not to drink water because they don't like it

Also the vets I went to were allcreatures healthcare in horsford

Unsure on the Vit C tablets you have in, we use these if they are ever needed and crush them up in some water to syringe them http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/Products/NC2489/oxbow-daily-c More details about them on the oxbow website http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1696

The metacam should help with her pain but as said above, if it continues or gets worse a x-ray would be the next step. Healing vibes to him x

 

[wenton5]

Metacam is a very commonly perscribed medication for piggies. Oxbow joint supplement would be good for arthritis if it is that. I use Oxbow Vit C but I am in the US so I am not sure what is used there. Yes, best not to put the Vit. C in the water. My pigs just eat their half a tab out of my hand, not sure how your piggy would like that, but then I am sure they are eating it. So glad she is doing better! L

 

[Pebble]

She's 2 1/2
I don't feed them fruit on a regular basis
I put her in the run and her leg has improved and she does seem much happier
The vit c tablets which are in the house are these http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=263469146
Do they seem all right does anyone use them?
Maybe I could sprinkle it over there food instead I don't want them not to drink water because they don't like it

Also the vets I went to were allcreatures healthcare in horsford

I use those ones without for my pigs - have been doing so for years. If you have the 200mg tablets - without added zinc- then a quarter of a tablet per day for a few days should be fine. You can sprinkle on food - I tend to crush it to a powder between two teaspoons - however I prefer to to mix the powder with some water and syringe feed so i know the correct dose has been given.

Glad to hear her leg is improving.

 

[gizzy]

This is just my opinion and I have NO vet training. If the Metacam is making her hyper and she doesn't seem like she is in pain then I personally would not give it to her, that's just me. I have read that there are a few things that can point to a leg or legs having paralysis ( a seizure or spinal issues), it doesn't sound like that to me. If it was me I would get an xray asap. I would very very very very gently massage the limb but not until I got an xray. Make sure you have the correct dosage for the Metacam. I know that some people on the forum give their guineas a supplement for arthritis, maybe someone could recommend, but I also wouldn't do that until I had an xray. Watch her close. Is there anything in her cage or run that could cause her to trip or stumble? How old is she? Does she have any history of illness? How is the limb now? I personally don't feed my pigs fruit but if you do feed your piggies fruit I would stop and just do pellets, hay and veggies since fruit has sugar and can contribute to inflammation. Again, just my opinon. xo

Lara and the gang

I'm inclined to agree with wenton5! hyperactivity, is one of the many side effects of Metacam,

it can be quite a handy anti inflammatory, but the fact that you have noticed a hyperactive effect, would ring warning bells to me! it just does not suit some animals

there have been too many bad reports about Metacam, you only have to googole Metacam killed my animal to see them

personally I would take her of the drug,

Some Contra indications
Central Nervous System/Behavioural: Ataxia, personality change, seizures, sleepiness, hyperactivity, depression, trembling.

 

[Pebble]

I'm inclined to agree with wenton5! hyperactivity, is one of the many side effects of Metacam,

it can be quite a handy anti inflammatory, but the fact that you have noticed a hyperactive effect, would ring warning bells to me! it just does not suit some animals

there have been too many bad reports about Metacam, you only have to googole Metacam killed my animal to see them

personally I would take her of the drug,

Some Contra indications
Central Nervous System/Behavioural: Ataxia, personality change, seizures, sleepiness, hyperactivity, depression, trembling.

Most of these reports apply to dogs. Not seen a report yet that these side effects have occurred in pigs.

I have googled your vets - they keep piggies themselves and are also zoological vets....that's a great inidication that they know what they are doing as far as piggie meds and treatment are concerned.

Given the current symptoms I would be inclined to continue with your vets advice/treatment including the metacam. The "hyperactivity" could just be an indication that the pain relief is having an effect and your piggie is feeling more mobile and alert.

HTH
x

 

[wenton5]

Harriet7, how is your piggy doing? You said originally after she was not favoring her limb that her poo, wee, drinking and eating were fine, is everything still looking well over there? L

 

[Harriet7]

Going to keep her on metacam because its improving her legs
But I keep her in the carry case little while to keep a eye on her

Her walking is much much better with metacam she walks on her legs a little slower and more hobblely than normal and sometimes bunnyhops* which I have read is a sign of arthritis and vit c definecy so I have given her vit c tablets

I bought a fleece blanket to cut up for them to sit because I think it will be more comfortable for her to sit on

All of her 'vitals' are normal

* rather than when forced to move trying not to use one leg at all

 

[wenton5]

Have you considered getting it xrayed? Thanks for the update, much appeeciate it. So glad she is doing better. L