Paralysis in 2 year old

[Ndobins]

Hello new to the forum
I’m
In
The UK. I have a 2 year old female guinea pig who has paralysis I went to feed and clean out hutch on Thursday morning and both legs were being dragged out behind her . So scared to see bless her . I took Winnie to the vet asap and she checked her all over and on the top of her back when she pressed it she turned round to say “ that is sore “ so the vet said keep her in an enclosed space for 2 weeks and give Loxicom once a day. She is eating drinking pooping and peeing fine ! She’s got some feeling on both feet when pressed by vet and on Friday when I washed her , she did move her little feet ever so slightly . Today still dragging out behind her . I’m impatient I know ! But has anyone else had a positive outcome with this ? And if so what was the timings etc . I’m so upset for her .. I’ve given her osteocare and syringe feeding vitamin c in her water . She’s bright in herself and not showing pain anywhere or swelling . Just a little sore when top of back is pressed by vet on Thursday last week . Maybe she twisted in the night ? I’m not sure .. all her friends are fine

 

[Merab]

So sorry to hear this.
I’m glad you got her to a vet so promptly.
Is she still with her cagemates ?

One of the healthiest experts will be better able to help you.
I’m just offering you my support.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Ndobins]

So sorry to hear this.
I’m glad you got her to a vet so promptly.
Is she still with her cagemates ?

One of the healthiest experts will be better able to help you.
I’m just offering you my support.

Welcome to the forum

Thank u . No the vet told me to bring her in the house in a cat carrier . I’m washing her daily as she is peeing and laying in it . I took her soon as I found her her best friend died the day before . I feel so sorry for her I’m checking on her every hour

 

[Merab]

@Piggies&buns is one of our health experts so I’ve tagged her for you

 

[Ndobins]

Thank u

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Please ensure you weighing her daily (each morning). This is to ensure she is definitely eating enough hay to maintain her weight.
If she loses weight you will need to step in and syringe feed a recovery feed.

What dosage of loxicom is she on?
Is it cat version (0.5mg/ml) or dog version (1.5mg/ml)?
Once a day may or may not be enough - piggies generally need their pain meds twice a day as they metabolise them within 12 hours.
Loxicom is an anti inflammatory as well as a pain killer so it will help with any swelling which has occurred

How quickly she recovers depends on what has caused it so there is no real answer. If it is an injury then she may take longer to recover than if it was is known as overnight paralysis which is a sudden drop in calcium (this is temporary and tends to correct itself), or a different cause.

The fact she is in a cat carrier - does this mean she has been separated from her friend(s)?
If so then that is a big concern. We never recommend separating them as it can mean they refuse to ever go back together (if you absolutely have to separate then they should be kept in side by side cages so their bond remains alive between the bars), separation causes a huge amount of stress which can make recovery harder

 

[Ndobins]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Please ensure you weighing her daily (each morning). This is to ensure she is definitely eating enough hay to maintain her weight.
If she loses weight you will need to step in and syringe feed a recovery feed.

What dosage of loxicom is she on?
Is it cat version (0.5mg/ml) or dog version (1.5mg/ml)?
Once a day may or may not be enough - piggies generally need their pain meds twice a day as they metabolise them within 12 hours.
Loxicom is an anti inflammatory as well as a pain killer so it will help with any swelling which has occurred

How quickly she recovers depends on what has caused it so there is no real answer. If it is an injury then she may take longer to recover than if it was is known as overnight paralysis which is a sudden drop in calcium (this is temporary and tends to correct itself), or a different cause.

The fact she is in a cat carrier - does this mean she has been separated from her friend(s)?
If so then that is a big concern. We never recommend separating them as it can mean they refuse to ever go back together (if you absolutely have to separate then they should be kept in side by side cages so their bond remains alive between the bars), separation causes a huge amount of stress which can make recovery harder

Hi thank u for replying .
The vet wanted her separate so she didn’t do any further damage . Her other friend is a neutered boar so I think it should be ok . She started pop Corning today for the first time since Friday . She is on 0.22 mls once a day using 0.5mg/ml loxicom for cats ..she is very bright eating drinking and toilet habits all fine . Since I took this pic this morning she is washing and bending round more to eat and her left foot is now under her body more . Vet told me to keep her as still as possible

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. It sounds like she has got a defined area with a problem in her spine or pressing on her spine.

You have to take her recovery as it comes, unfortunately. There is nothing that can hurry it on.

You may find this guide link here helpful because it deals with all aspects of caring for a piggy with limited or no mobility, from water access to longer term secondary complications and enrichment:
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm glad she seems brighter.
It’s fine to be separated if they think she is at risk, but it is so important for them both that they are side by side at all times during their separation. Not being able to interact at all with another piggy for that time will cause loneliness and stress to them both and it helps keep the bond in tact. Unfortunately we do see vets underestimate the high importance of the social aspects of their lives and we do unfortunately see bonds permanently broken due to medical separations.
If you really are not able to keep them side by side then it would be a good idea for you to also weigh the boar more regularly (routine weight checks should be weekly but i recommend you do it twice a week for him while they are separated) to ensure he doesn’t go into any depression and reduce hay intake.

When you reunite them, you will have to go through the full neutral territory rebonding process. You will not be able to just put them back together in their normal cage as it will run the risk of being seen as a territory invasion.

Do make sure you are weighing her daily - it’s impossible to gauge hay intake by eye and as it makes three quarters of the daily food intake, even a small reduction in intake can have a big impact.

That’s a low dose of painkiller

 

[Ndobins]

Should I up it then? The vet did look it up on Google !

 

[Piggies&buns]

Should I up it then? The vet did look it up on Google !

No you can’t - only a vet can prescribe.
All we can tell you is that there is considerable leeway upwards in her dosage should her current dose not help. It’s really going to depend on what has happened.

Since the cat version was licensed for piggies unfortunately we do often see low doses being prescribed. Guinea pigs can take considerably higher doses and drive a day when compared with cats as the kidney risk isn’t there with piggies like it is with cats.

 

[Ndobins]

No you can’t - only a vet can prescribe.
All we can tell you is that there is considerable leeway upwards in her dosage should her current dose not help. It’s really going to depend on what has happened.

Since the cat version was licensed for piggies unfortunately we do often see low doses being prescribed. Guinea pigs can take considerably higher doses and drive a day when compared with cats as the kidney risk isn’t there with piggies like it is with cats.

Sorry I meant should I call the vet and ask .. I’d never do that obviously . I’ve got many animals here , horses cats dogs chickens rabbits and guinea pigs . I’ve dealt with many things just not this one yet ! I’ll call her tomorrow thank u I think she’s twisted as I lowered her into the run . She was fine when I picked her up to go back in tho , but this is the only think I can think of .. let’s see how next few days go