Paralysed Back Legs

[Sarah Beckett]

My brother found one of his piggies with paralysed back legs . This was about 4 weeks ago and the vet advised pts but brother wanted to see how things go . The piggie is eating but has not been seen drinking . So he has been giving special treatment , feeding tomatoes , cucumber etc . Her appetite is good , is pooping ant peeing but obviously hind quarters are a bit messy so he baths her every 2 days . She gets about by pulling herself on front legs , dragging the back ones . She lives with 2 other pigs and apart from being isolated from them for a short while daily ( for 'special treatment ') she seems to be accepted by them still . Does anyone have any experience of this ? There seems to be little improvement so far but she does not appear in pain .They live in one of those double decker cages and get out daily for exercise .She was found on the lower level . No witness of any falls . What is the likely prognosis ? Appreciate your thoughts or experiences .

 

[karonus]

Lots of experience. Check out my threads relating to star.

 

[helen105281]

It could be something to do with diet like a calcium crash but she needs checking by a vet if she hasn't seen one already to rule out anything else. Even if she doesn't seem in pain anti-inflamamtories may help. Also she could have a product called Osteocare (if it is diet related) which would help too. Search paralysis on here and you should hopefully find lots of information including Karonus' thread on Star.

 

[Sarah Beckett]

Thanks karonus ,I read your thread and Helen I had heard of calcium supplements helping but wasn't sure if anyone had used it successfully. So feeling a bit more hopeful now Is this ostoecare stuff available over the counter and is it likely to be effective 4 weeks after the paralysis started?i will advise my brother to go back to vets ( maybe a different one ) just to rule out any injury .Maybe worth starting ostoecare first to see if it helps .