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Paralysed Piggy :(

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Stephkells21

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Hi everyone, I'm brand new to this site so not sure I'm posting this in the right place! I just really need to discuss this issue.

I have two GPs, both boys, Teddy and Sausage. Sausage had an accident on Wednesday where he jumped from my friends' hands as she was putting him on the floor. Sausage let out an almighty squeal that has been playing in my ears ever since.

Immediately he was unable to use his back legs, just dragged them behind him :( I phoned the vet straight away but whilst I was on the phone he started walking again. He seemed perfectly fine, happy and was using both back legs as normal. I decided to watch and wait. That evening he was running up and down the ramp in their cage, eating and drinking with no problems. The next morning however, he was dragging his back legs again! I took him to the vet who told me it looks like he's damaged his spine and he should be put to sleep! When I told her that Sausage had been using his legs perfectly after the accident she gave him until friday (today) to show improvement. She also gave me some NSAIDs to give him to see if it would help. Now, Sausage is showing me good signs! He started crawling with his back knees on weds and now he is walking on his toes. He is starting to pull his back legs underneath him again when in a sitting position. The only time sausage seemed unhappy is when he was separated from Teddy to check he was able to go to the toilet properly. He's eating, drinking, peeing, pooing, playing and getting around in his own little way. I am not having him put to sleep whilst he is happy and still has a good quality of life.

Has anyone seen a GP recover from hind leg paralysis? Do you think I am doing the right thing? Sorry for the mega long post! I will be so grateful for any replies x
 
Hi, as your piggy is recovering i think you are doing the right thing. had his spine been broken and he was never able to use his legs again, the kindest thing would have to have him pts. The fact he recovered quickly at first then lost the use of his legs again short term, suggests he may have had soft tissue damage to his spine, a bit like us having whip lash after a car accident, which can take over 24 hours before it effects us.

The fact he is toileting properly is very important as, amoung other things, spinal nerve damage can cause animals not to be able to tell when their bladders are full and so not wee, which will be fatal.

I would suggest while he is recovering to limit his exercise, ie do not let him run up and down ramps or jump on and off things.

please keep us updated on how he is progressing. I know this is a very worrying time for you but you will find lots of support on the forum :)
 
Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate the support! I have just spoken to the vet who has said she is happy for me to carry on and see how he goes. She says it sounds like he is recovering and has had a lucky escape! All I can do now is watch and wait. It just feels like vets see GPs as disposable pets! I will keep you updated x
 
Poor Sausage and poor you. It sounds like he is on the right path, important to keep up the pain killers and anti-inflammatory from the vets.

I have read where piggies have recovered from this sort of thing in the past, the fact he can poo and wee is very encouraging news indeed.

Lots of healing vibes to Sausage, all fingers and paws crossed for him here.

If you could add your location to your profile that would be ace it just means if anyone needs to tailor any advice to near your location they can do quite easily. Welcome to the forum :)
 
It is absolutely heartbreaking! I cried with pride yesterday when I watched him walk with his toes and actually start to use his back legs! In himself he is fine and happy! Him and Ted have been playing happily, Ted is obviously being gentle with him. His happiness and ability to do everything he needs to is exactly why I am not willing to give up on him. X
 
Stephkells21 said:
It is absolutely heartbreaking! I cried with pride yesterday when I watched him walk with his toes and actually start to use his back legs! In himself he is fine and happy! Him and Ted have been playing happily, Ted is obviously being gentle with him. His happiness and ability to do everything he needs to is exactly why I am not willing to give up on him. X
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Have a hug.. Your doing everything you can and its sounds like he is still very happy and fighting very hard to recover. Ted will instinctively know that Sausage is poorly and it never ceases to amaze me how piggies look after each other when poorly.
 
Thank you sport_billy. I have added my location now. Sorry I just needed to get on and explain my situation before I went crazy! X
 
No need to apologise. The forum is a great source of information, but it is often more than that as we all on here love our pigs so can support each other through the bad times as well as the good times.
 
So sorry to hear Sausage is having such a hard time! (and you of course!)

It sounds very promising that he has regained some use of his legs and is able to go to the loo himself. Spines are delicate things and they take a long time to recover from injury and shock. It is possible he has just shocked his nervous system without an actual damage or he has an injury that is healing. NSAIDs are great to allow his body to do the best it can to heal the damage and inflammation around the spinal cord can often make things look worse than they really are.

Keep hanging on and see what happens, he sounds like he's made of stern stuff!
 
An accident like that leaves any of us shaken! My thoughts also go out to your friend. It is worse when it isn't even our own piggy! Thankfully, it looks like Sausage is going to recover in good time. Just be patient and give the tissue time to heal.

Most accidents happen when putting a piggy down and they suddenly jump and miscalculate. Always set a piggy down rear end first; that will help to prevent future problems. When carrying them, I support them with my left arm, so I got my right hand free to keep hold of them or block a jump. ;)
 
My friend feels awful. I have told her on numerous times that it is not her fault and its just one of those things. Sausage is quite skitty so he does have a habit of just jumping when he wants. I warn everyone who picks him up and ensure they are as close to the floor as possible with him. He will be wrapped in cotton wool from now on and I think I will take the ramp out of their cage just incase! I just hope he manages to get as much use back as possible. I have bought some vit C and calcium supplements today, I'll try anything for him! I would have paid the £1000 for the MRI if the vet hadn't said they wouldn't do anything anyway *** he's too small! Trying to look at the positives that he is improving slowly. X
 
As others have said, accidents happen and there is nothing worse than that awful sinking feeling we get when they do or when a pet falls ill and we blame our selfs for not noticing something sooner, but it sounds like you are doing everything you can for sausage and with such care he has every chance of making a good recovery x
 
I have had a piggie jump out of my arms and catch his foot on one of the bars of his hutch. I felt so guilty for not holding him tighter or being more careful. Thankfully he only sprained his ankle but I was so so scared. We totally understand and I'm so glad to hear that Sausage is making improvements :)
 
We had to deal with a paralised piggy last year and she is now fine. IT could perhaps have been a wrenched neck like ours. Just be mindful to make sure they are not lying in wee. Warm baths might also be useful to help with healing and also keepjng clean from potential urine scalds.
 
Oh really? And your piggie is now fine? I have been getting him out of the cage and making sure he is clean and dry. He is actually still washing himself so this is always a good sign too. I am glad that I didn't listen to the vet in this case! X
 
I can't beleive that your guinea pig is fine! I think that you are doing the right!

I think that you are some what doing the right thing. If the vet says that it is causing your guinea pig pain then you might want to put him to sleep. You may not want to but at that time you need to think of how much pain your guinea pig is going through at that time. Wold you want to suffer?
 
Morning, Hope Sausage is doing well this morning.
 
Hello, sausage seems to be doing ok thank you! Still moving around with his little legs stuck out behind him but he is pushing with his toes and is moving around much quicker. He's back to being vocal when the fridge opens again so I think it is safe to say he is definitely improving. I am hoping that with some time, and staying in the smaller cage to limit his mobilisation, he will recover from this! He can't have broken his spine if he is moving his legs so I am feeling much more positive for him today :) thank you so much for checking in! I think I have found a great form of support here. X
 
Hi, I would STOP sausage using a ramp! Bones in humans heal quite well at 4-6 weeks and nerves can take 18 months in humans. He may have injured his cord then could move then when swelling came out it affected him. I would talk to the vet about NSAIDs over a month or more if needed and avoid jumping on anything and him moving up ramps. It is really worrying. The bladder and bowel in humans is affected if the level of injury is bad enough to affect lower levels. If he is weeing and poohing it is very good. It would be a real concern if he stopped. I really wish you both the best, I would be a crying mess if it was one of my piggies so my thoughts are with you. Remember if he broke his back it needs to heal so while it is healing avoid excess stress on his back but keep his nerves and muscles functioning with gentle movements.
 
Wiggie said:
Hi, I would STOP sausage using a ramp! Bones in humans heal quite well at 4-6 weeks and nerves can take 18 months in humans. He may have injured his cord then could move then when swelling came out it affected him. I would talk to the vet about NSAIDs over a month or more if needed and avoid jumping on anything and him moving up ramps. It is really worrying. The bladder and bowel in humans is affected if the level of injury is bad enough to affect lower levels. If he is weeing and poohing it is very good. It would be a real concern if he stopped. I really wish you both the best, I would be a crying mess if it was one of my piggies so my thoughts are with you. Remember if he broke his back it needs to heal so while it is healing avoid excess stress on his back but keep his nerves and muscles functioning with gentle movements.
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I just realised your post above, in a really basic summary, the spine in humans can break with repetitive stressful movements or trauma. the spinal cord is injured when the spine bones displace, or a large disc bulge, the displacement can be on initial trauma or it can be sustained if the bones are shifted. So humans can have a broken back and have back pain or a broken back and nerve damage and back pain. At a guess sausage may have broke his back and had swelling affecting his nerves if not pressure from the bone damage, how much injury is unclear however allowing recovery is critical to see how well he recovers. I have NO vet qualification to back any substance in my reply.
 
Hello, thank you for your reply! Sausage took a step that was very close to normal yesterday! He still has a long way to go but he is making improvements nonetheless. I am a Nurse (people not animals) and now have my very own smaller patient at home. Sausage and Ted are both in a single level smaller cage at present to try and restrict Sausages movement. I would leave Ted in the bigger cage but he was so miserable for the one night I had to separate them. I gave Sausage a bath yesterday and he was pulling his legs up when I was giving them a little wash so this is all a good sign :) believe me I was a crying wreck! I am feeling much more positive seeing his improvements everyday x
 
you did the right thing not seperating them in my view cos could have been problems rebonding them.Having his friend with him will help him get better as well as keeps him happy
 
I thought you may all like to know that Sausage is walking! Hes a bit unsteady on his back legs still but all 4 feet are where they should be and being used! I have told the vet this seeing as she wanted him put down. Always trust your own instincts, no-one knows their animal better than their owner. I think having Ted and Sausage together also helped as being miserable would only have extended his recovery period. Don't get me wrong he still has a way to go but he is walking! X
 
That's wonderful news! I've been keeping an eye on this thread with my fingers firmly crossed, so I'm so pleased that he's now walking. Your patience, determination and care has no doubt got him through this - you're clearly a fantastic piggy mum! x
 
This is really good, its so nice to get a good update! Well done little Sausage and well done to you to, you've done really well. Lots of healing vibes to him
 
I am so glad things are on the mend. Sausage is lucky you are a nurse. Best wishes to you. I reckon keeping them both in a smaller space is a compromise worth having until sausage is better. X
 
Thats really great exciting news......sending hugs and healing vibes to Sausage xx
 
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