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Problem With Legs

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guineapig520

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We recently gotten two guinea pigs, both around 5-6 weeks old. One of the pigs seems to have paralysis in one leg and is limping, I just realized this after few days after we got them. It is really sad but I feel like I was mislead by the seller and don't want to take care of him in this state.

Anyone know if it will get better or if I will be able to give it up for adoption? I'm not sure if the humane society will take him.
 
You can only know if it will get better if you take him to the vets. I know you feel mislead by the seller but he's your baby, please make sure he sees a vet. This is why I only deal with rescues.

If you don't want to take care of him I suggest taking them both to a good rescue. It's not fair to split them up and if you don't feel you should look after them then it is the best for both of them and probably for you if you aren't invested in piggies.

I hope the little one gets better soon.
 
You would need a vet to tell you that. It could be a sprain or something that will heal or could just be a birth defect that wont effect the piggy at all and is just something that he will live with. It's rather sad that you want to get rid of the little one for something it couldn't control. Is there a reason? The ones with something a little off are always the ones who need more love and give more love! Please don't give up on the piggy just yet you'd be taking him/her away from their friend as well.
 
I agree with the other posters, they need to see a vet, it could be a simple sprain needing anti-inflammatories but only a vet can diagnose that. If you feel that you are not able to cope with illness and would like to rehome the poorly pig please seek out a guinea pig rescue and rehome his friend with him as neither pig would be happy alone.
 
guineapig520 said:
We recently gotten two guinea pigs, both around 5-6 weeks old. One of the pigs seems to have paralysis in one leg and is limping, I just realized this after few days after we got them. It is really sad but I feel like I was mislead by the seller and don't want to take care of him in this state.

Anyone know if it will get better or if I will be able to give it up for adoption? I'm not sure if the humane society will take him.
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Hi! Please have him seen by a vet. if you are lucky, it is just a sprain in one of the leg joints. Lively young guinea pigs are prone to that.

If you really do not want to keep your guinea pig, then please see whether you can contact a good non-kill rescue. Do not dump your guinea pig in a killing shelter where it won't receive any medical care whatsoever! your poor piggy doesn't deserve that, as it is not its fault that you are not happy!

As you mention shelters, I assume that you are located in the US?
Here is a list of good and safe guinea pig rescues: Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations
You may be able to find more local rescue via petfinder. But please make sure your piggy is only going to a rescue where it will receive medical care and will not be at risk of euthanising as unadoptable! And b=please surrender both guinea pigs together, so they can keep each other company.

If you require only perfect animals and cannot afford vet care, which is the most expensive part of pet keeping, please do not keep any pets. They all fall ill and grow old sooner or later, and they will need vet care as well as your loving care then.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! Please have him seen by a vet. if you are lucky, it is just a sprain in one of the leg joints. Lively young guinea pigs are prone to that.

If you really do not want to keep your guinea pig, then please see whether you can contact a good non-kill rescue. Do not dump your guinea pig in a killing shelter where it won't receive any medical care whatsoever! your poor piggy doesn't deserve that, as it is not its fault that you are not happy!

As you mention shelters, I assume that you are located in the US?
Here is a list of good and safe guinea pig rescues: Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations
You may be able to find more local rescue via petfinder. But please make sure your piggy is only going to a rescue where it will receive medical care and will not be at risk of euthanising as unadoptable! And b=please surrender both guinea pigs together, so they can keep each other company.

If you require only perfect animals and cannot afford vet care, which is the most expensive part of pet keeping, please do not keep any pets. They all fall ill and grow old sooner or later, and they will need vet care as well as your loving care then.
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I will consider this, thanks, and I'm from Canada. Do you know the possible cost for this?
 
if I do see a vet I am worried about the cost, I'm a student and can't really afford anything too costly.
 
Wiebke said:
Sadly, no, but I am tagging @Freela for you; she's Canadian.
Here is a list of recommended piggy savvy Canadian vets: CANADA - Guinea Lynx Records

There are sadly only very few guinea pig rescues in Canada. I am friends with a couple of them.
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thx I will check this out.
Jesse's pigs said:
I would explain this to the vet. They might let you pay it in installments.
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Do you think it's possible that it will get better on it's own?
He plays with his brother fine... quite happy in fact, doesn't even run when I come towards it. I was thinking of waiting maybe a week before deciding further. Both of his back legs only have two claws, really different than my abyssian piggy, not sure if this detail matters though I found it little strange.
 
guineapig520 said:
thx I will check this out.

Do you think it's possible that it will get better on it's own?
He plays with his brother fine... quite happy in fact, doesn't even run when I come towards it. I was thinking of waiting maybe a week before deciding further. Both of his back legs only have two claws, really different than my abyssian piggy, not sure if this detail matters though I found it little strange.
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That is very unusual indeed. It is more common that a guinea pig has an extra toe on its back. It may be connected to him not being able to run as well. If it is a sprain, then it will rectify itself eventually. A sprain can happen in any joint from the spine downwards.

We have got a collection of very helpful new owners' guides, which aim to answer the most often asked questions as well as provide some important need to know information.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
 
Wiebke said:
That is very unusual indeed. It is more common that a guinea pig has an extra toe on its back. It may be connected to him not being able to run as well. If it is a sprain, then it will rectify itself eventually. A sprain can happen in any joint from the spine downwards.

We have got a collection of very helpful new owners' guides, which aim to answer the most often asked questions as well as provide some important need to know information.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
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I'll post a picture in an hour on this forum... Would really appreciate if someone could look at it.
 
Wiebke said:
That is very unusual indeed. It is more common that a guinea pig has an extra toe on its back. It may be connected to him not being able to run as well. If it is a sprain, then it will rectify itself eventually. A sprain can happen in any joint from the spine downwards.

We have got a collection of very helpful new owners' guides, which aim to answer the most often asked questions as well as provide some important need to know information.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
Click to expand...

Here are the pictures of the little guy.
I'm no expert, but I don't think its a broken leg since the other leg has three claws (like my abyssian) and works fine, but this leg looks like the that.

guinea1.webp

guinea2.webp
 
Also both his front paws have four claws compared to the other one.
 
I'm pretty surprised that the guy I got it from didn't know of this, he told me he checked the gender of both of them so he should have known.
 
I was able to get a picture of one of the hind legs that do work. I also noticed that it looks like he is bouncing a little when he moves.
 
hind leg
I was researching and came across the term lethal white. I'm wondering if this is related.

IMG_20170522_123603.webp
 
guineapig520 said:
Also both his front paws have four claws compared to the other one.
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Guinea pigs have 3 toes on the back and 4 on the front.

If he has only two toes on one back leg, then he has either pulled his nail out really badly and injured his toe that way (that is what my "Pocket Rocket" Morwenna did as a youngster). Her toe and her nail stopped growing for about 2 years and have never reached normal size. However, this has never stopped her from getting around and leading a normal life. Or he has indeed been born with only two toes, which is extremely unusual. My guess is the first. It easy to miss when your piggies are in a small shop or breeder pen and the piggies are barely handled.

Can you please have a closer look to see whether there is indeed a stump for a third toe and whether his foot is painful?
 
Wiebke said:
Guinea pigs have 3 toes on the back and 4 on the front.

If he has only two toes on one back leg, then he has either pulled his nail out really badly and injured his toe that way (that is what my "Pocket Rocket" Morwenna did as a youngster). Her toe and her nail stopped growing for about 2 years and have never reached normal size. However, this has never stopped her from getting around and leading a normal life. Or he has indeed been born with only two toes, which is extremely unusual. My guess is the first. It easy to miss when your piggies are in a small shop or breeder pen and the piggies are barely handled.

Can you please have a closer look to see whether there is indeed a stump for a third toe and whether his foot is painful?
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You we're right. I checked closely and he has 3 toes on the back and 4 on the front. It's just the one leg that he can't use.
 
The seller seemed really caring when I first got them, and I think the poor guy might have gotten sprained sometime in my care, though I honestly don't know how or when.

If I gave it to our local humane society, would they be able to take care of it and provide medical care? I'm not sure if I can keep them due to my sisters allergies, I keep them in my room currently away from everyone else.
 
guineapig520 said:
The seller seemed really caring when I first got them, and I think the poor guy might have gotten sprained sometime in my care, though I honestly don't know how or when.

If I gave it to our local humane society, would they be able to take care of it and provide medical care? I'm not sure if I can keep them due to my sisters allergies, I keep them in my room currently away from everyone else.
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You will have to ask them, but please hang onto them if you can! it is very likely that the injury has happened while in your care. As your boy is still chipper in himself, it also rather sounds like a sprain, which should right itself.

If you really can't keep them, please try to get them into one of the recommended rescues where they will get medical care and will only be rehomed to good homes. And please do not split a bonded pair of piggies!
 
I agree with @Wiebke it would be better if you could keep him- it doesn't sound like he's in pain- as he's likely to become very confused when he's in a shelter and white piggies with red eyes aren't usually rehomed very quickly. But that being said if you really don't want him a shelter is better then selling him. And please don't separate him from his buddy if you do- they're bonded and will comfort each other. I know it's your choice but if he was mine and I'd keep him and enjoy is wacky leg.
 
If you're not sure you want them any more this early on then it's better they go into the care of someone who does. I don't mean to be blunt but if you don't love them it won't be great for either you or the piggies.

If you do look to rehome them, please find a good, reputable rescue who has a no-kill policy.

It's is very important that they stay together, surrendering the little boy with an injury and keeping the one who's okay is cruel as they need each other. I'm sorry to sound rude, I don't mean to be. I just know how lonely they'll be and it's awful for them to be torn away from their friend and live alone.

They're just like children in a lot of ways. They need our love, care and most importantly they need us to keep them safe and treat any illness. It's our responsibility as humans to make sure animals are looked after properly for their exact needs.
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
If you're not sure you want them any more this early on then it's better they go into the care of someone who does. I don't mean to be blunt but if you don't love them it won't be great for either you or the piggies.

If you do look to rehome them, please find a good, reputable rescue who has a [you]no-kill[/you] [you]policy[/you].

It's is [you]very[/you] important that they stay together, surrendering the little boy with an injury and keeping the one who's okay is cruel as they need each other. I'm sorry to sound rude, I don't mean to be. I just know how lonely they'll be and it's awful for them to be torn away from their friend and live alone.

They're just like children in a lot of ways. They need our love, care and most importantly they need us to keep them safe and treat any illness. It's our responsibility as humans to make sure animals are looked after properly for their exact needs.
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ok thanks. i would keep them together like you suggested. I will try to see if i can find a rescue shelter for them.
 
guineapig520 said:
ok thanks. i would keep them together like you suggested. I will try to see if i can find a rescue shelter for them.
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That's good, they'll have each other's support through the change :)

It would be lovely if you could keep us posted, even if you're looking to rehome we're always here for support :)
 
Just one more thing, if he was in pain how could I tell? I mean he seems to be enjoying himself even with the supposed sprain if it was worse would I know?
 
Guinea pigs are prey animals with quite a bit of ancestral instincts leftover and therefore incredibly good at hiding pain unfortunately (I'm still in the process of knowing why one of mine is losing weight mysteriously). Hunching up or puffing their fur out are signs of pain, as well as not eating/being picky.
 
Where in Canada are you located? I'm in the Toronto area of Ontario and can recommend a few vets (and one rescue- though I don't believe they take personal surrenders) in that area.

It's possible that it is a strain/sprain or other minor injury that will heal on its own. Over the years, several of my pigs have had minor foot injuries, often from a minor injury getting in or out of the cage (bending a nail back, etc.) They generally begin walking normally again after a day or two. The key there is that, while they don't want to put their full weight on the foot, they will continue to putter around as usual, just with a limp, and do not react with pain if the foot is touched or moved in any way.

If you are determined not to keep these little guys for whatever reason, is there any chance of checking back with the original seller before handing them over? I know if I had to rehome my pigs, I would appreciate the chance to take them back and find another home if the placement fell through rather than them just ending up anywhere. At least in my province, the only real option is to surrender the the SPCA, who do put animals to sleep if no home can be found, though they may try to put them in one of the (limited) no-kill rescues if one is available in your area.
 
Freela said:
Where in Canada are you located? I'm in the Toronto area of Ontario and can recommend a few vets (and one rescue- though I don't believe they take personal surrenders) in that area.

It's possible that it is a strain/sprain or other minor injury that will heal on its own. Over the years, several of my pigs have had minor foot injuries, often from a minor injury getting in or out of the cage (bending a nail back, etc.) They generally begin walking normally again after a day or two. The key there is that, while they don't want to put their full weight on the foot, they will continue to putter around as usual, just with a limp, and do not react with pain if the foot is touched or moved in any way.

If you are determined not to keep these little guys for whatever reason, is there any chance of checking back with the original seller before handing them over? I know if I had to rehome my pigs, I would appreciate the chance to take them back and find another home if the placement fell through rather than them just ending up anywhere. At least in my province, the only real option is to surrender the the SPCA, who do put animals to sleep if no home can be found, though they may try to put them in one of the (limited) no-kill rescues if one is available in your area.
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I'm from Kitchener.
The owner has his hands full and I'm really skeptical he would take them back, though I did ask about my concerns and he said it was fine in his hands.
I'm going to wait a week and see where things go.
 
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