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Paralysis In Younger Piggy - Help And Advice Please!

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Heidi Morgan

Heidi Morgan

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Hello I'm new to this group as i'm trying to seek out some advise. I have a two year old female guinea pig called Popcorn. today I noticed she seems very wobbly on her back legs. she started to drag them around her cage, when she does manage to use them its for seconds and she seems to struggle. she doesnt look in pain but I have been told they hide pain very well. i'm getting very worried. when I pick her up her legs will just dangle.. she can feel through her feet but its horrible to watch her. I dont know if she has fallen down her run and caught her leg damaged her hips or nerves? I'm trying to book an appointment with the vet soon as but I just wondered if anyone else has come across this?
 
I havent experienced this but ive had a poorly guinea be lame in one leg when he was very ill. You have said your going the vets, I wouldnt wait until tomorrow. All the best
 
I am very sorry about your worries! Please have her seen by a vet as soon as you can in case it is an injury.

(Temporary) back leg paralysis is not all that rare in older piggies, but it is not usual in those of Popcorn's age. There are a wide range of causes and a vet will have to turn detective if it is isn't an obvious spinal problem.

Please keep us updated. keep her comfy, quiet and warm until then. make sure that she is still eating and drinking well and not showing signs of being in pain.
http://www.guinealynx.info/pain.html

PS: I have edited your title so our more experienced members can see what is the matter and address the most urgent threads first. We will answer all threads in this section as quickly as we can.
 
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Thank you, the more help the better! she is still a very greedy piggie and was happily tucking into her salad. at the moment she is currently resting in the corner of the cage. she is moving but taking a lot of breaks to rest. she is fine with me picking her up and touching her legs and hips etc. I have moved her in the warm room with lots of blankets as the wood shavings are making her slip. will let you know soon as. I'm so worried for my little girly it was such a shock! Ps I dont wont to seem not a positive person but if she does need assistant meaning a "wheelchair" for her is there any UK companies that make them?
 
Most paralysed piggies will regain a certain mobility over time with massage and - if necessary - swimming therapy and don't need mechanical help. It very much depends on what is going on - and that will need to be established by somebody competent.
 
One question - how much vitamin C is she getting in her diet and is she on pellets or muesli/dry food?
 
She is fed on Science Selective guinea pig food. she has fresh salad every day from carrots, apple, tomatoes, cabbage etc My friend who does Hydrotherapy for dogs recommended this. I have managed to book an appointment for the vet so we can find out. thank you for your help!:D
 
Those are good quality pellets and with the daily cabbage, they should have a regular source of vitamin C in their diet, so I would think that scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) is rather unlikely. Your vet may consider a suddenly drop in calcium absorption, but that is more common in older piggies (overnight lameness/paralysis).

PS: personally, I would consider reducing the amount and frequency of apple and tomato you are feeding as that could lead to painful sores on lips and in the mouth (cheilitis). You may want to think about rotating with a slice of pepper of any colour, broccoli (stem and floret) and fresh herbs like coriander/cilantro (1 sprig daily) or other herbs like parsley, dill, mint or basil (1 sprig every few days). These are all high vitamin C veg and herbs.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/swimming.htm
 
She also has parsely and other vegetables but thank you for the advice. I have noticed she has two bald spots near her bum area where she may have pulled out her fur? I'm glad she is eating and drinking etc. I think she may of pulled a ligament but I cant say, till the vet has done a x-ray etc.
 
Heidi Morgan said:
She also has parsely and other vegetables but thank you for the advice. I have noticed she has two bald spots near her bum area where she may have pulled out her fur? I'm glad she is eating and drinking etc. I think she may of pulled a ligament but I cant say, till the vet has done a x-ray etc.
Click to expand...

I would get the vet to check whether she may have mange mites too, or fungal as both can present with hair loss, so bring it to the vet's attention when you get the x ray done :)
 
I took her to the vets and she is currently on Metacam. the Vet suggested we could have an X-ray done but she said that guinea pigs dont do well under anaesthetic
 
i just posted on your other thread. the vet doesn't sound experienced to me. they shouldn't say what they did to you. the risks are very very low with a good vet, and a light sedation can be used for xrays. it shouldn't need to be a ga. whereabouts are you? maybe we can recommend a good vet for you :)
 
I'm based in South Wales. I'm gathering information so when I go back I'm going to tell them what I hope we can do.
 
We had a guinea pig bright into work like this (I work in a vets) and it was xrayed which showed it had actually broken its back. The owner wanted to try rest and anti inflammatory medication, so we splinted the back to prevent too much movement and the owner cared for her at home. As far as I know she is still alive, I will look tomorrow, but please take her to the vets, it does sound as though she may have done a nasty injury maybe popcorning in the cage or something x
Where in south wales are you as thats where I am based?
 
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