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Piglet's back legs

Mudpuppy

Mudpuppy

Junior Guinea Pig
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Just a query about a seemingly slight issue, except I've learnt over the years that it's probably not so slight :/
This morning, Piglet seemed fine, he ate his veg and was waiting for them despite me being up earlier than usual.
I got home after a long day, and he didn't respond to my usual greetings... normally he runs to the front bit of the cage to beg for veg.
He was in his hides. I gave him some lettuce but he didn't go out to get it. This is not like him.
When I coaxed him out of his hidey, I noticed his back legs were dragging a bit and he was a bit wobbly. He ate the lettuce when I put it in front of him. He also ate some fresh hay.
But he definitely can't move his back legs very well.
He's 3.
I will take him to the vet tomorrow morning, but I'm a bit worried having searched previous threads.
I shouldn't think he's deficient in any vitamins as he gets a variety.
He did however spend some time on the grass yesterday as it was nice... he had grass and dandelion leaves.
Any ideas? :(
 
Forgot to mention he hasn't got any second level floors or ramps to tumble from either ... and I'd a lone pig since his buddy passed earlier this year :(
Thank you x
 
I honestly do not have any great advice. It's good he is going to the vet tomorrow. Is it possible he got too excited on the grass and somehow landed wrong while popcorning? That's about the most I can come up with since it happened so suddenly.
 
I had a similar thing with my Christian back in May. One day he squealed as I put him in the run and had sudden back leg paralysis and was dragging both legs behind him. His thread is here if you are interested:-

Christian was at emergency vet appointment this morning!

He is now on a twice daily dose of Metacam of 0.6ml for life as this is the dose where he maintains his weight so is not in pain. My vet wasn't sure what it was first of all but has since spoken to a guinea pig expert who said it sounded like arthritis of the spine..

Let us know how you get on at the vets.
 
Thanks everyone.
He doesn't popcorn really, esp outside as he's so scared of being outside 🙈 but good suggestion.
He didn't come out looking good for veg this morning either but he ate some hay and drank some water and mushy pellets from me so his appetite seems OK. I'm holding back on the veg in case it's bloat.....? He did get all that grass and dandelion plus his veg that day, so I'm wondering if it's actually a tummy thing rather than legs....
Will keep you posted!
 
Ooh no i hope the lil guys ok, fingers and toes crossed that everything will be fine xx
 
So I took him in but they are unsure why he's not well. On examination he seems normal - There is no sign of bloat, oddities with the legs, high or too low a temp etc... but he had a tiny little sludge in his bottom. His teeth were fine and his gut doesn't sound blocked.
So for now they've given him a shot of metacam and metoclopramide in case there's pain / inflammation which might cause the listnessness and given me zantac to give him twice a day along with recovery sachets (he's lost 150g). We're holding back on the veg too for now... just giving him hay.
Hoping he will buck up asap x
 
Hiya,
There's not much change to be honest... either way. He'll occasionally nibble on sone hay and I'm feeding him some recovery and drops of water (and his twice a day zantac) but he's still in what I can only describe as an Eeyore gloomy mood :(
It feels cruel to force feed him the recovery like this but it's for his own good isn't it and it will give him a good chance. I'm not sure whether I should give him a small piece of romaine or not as he loves it so much... may cheer him up? :(
 
Mudpuppy said:
Hiya,
There's not much change to be honest... either way. He'll occasionally nibble on sone hay and I'm feeding him some recovery and drops of water (and his twice a day zantac) but he's still in what I can only describe as an Eeyore gloomy mood :(
It feels cruel to force feed him the recovery like this but it's for his own good isn't it and it will give him a good chance. I'm not sure whether I should give him a small piece of romaine or not as he loves it so much... may cheer him up? :(
Click to expand...

I always end any syringe feeding session with a treat (herb, dandelion, romaine whatever) to help tempt them back to eating.
Is he still on metacam for inflammation? Did the vets do an X-ray?
 
No... it was a one off shot and he's not had an x ray as they really weren't sure what was up with him as he wasn't presenting ny obvious signs to be fair.... but I may take him back tomorrow to be honest.
 
Gave him tiny pieces of carrot and Bell pepper tonight and he gobbled them up... then gave him his dose of recovery. I'm not sure whether that was the right thing to do, but I felt he had more energy this evening and I wanted to see how he coped with his fave (veg). Will see what he is like tomorrow morning now
Cross fingers x
 
Happy to update that he's miles better thank you! 🤗🤗 he has one more appointment next week to check that he's regained all the weight.
He's still have zantac daily til then. But he eats hay and nuggets again so is off the hand feeding, and he has been introduced back to veg slowly ☺ x
 
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