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Queso Is Limping :(

CheeseMommy

CheeseMommy

Junior Guinea Pig
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I noticed a few days ago that when he ran, Queso was hopping like a bunny. He is quite a large pig, (probably about 3.5 grams). He is often very lazy, but he seems a little lazier than usual. Last night and today, I noticed he was limping and not putting weight on his back leg. I've examined his back legs and his paws twice now and found nothing. I have also noticed lots of white and a few yellow stains on the piggy padding. I figured we're feeding the three pigs too much Romaine Lettuce and Parsley.

He is about 3 or 3 1/2 years old. An American pig. His eyes are bright and he still has a huge appetite and is drinking water like a fish (he's always been a thirsty pig). His teeth are fine and he's eating hay 24/7. The other two guinea pigs were humping him so much that I had to put a cage divider in so they'd leave him alone and not hurt whatever is hurting him. It's just he has a hard time walking suddenly.

Typically he gets pellets, hay, and water every day. Then probably an over abundance of red leaf, green leaf, romaine, bell peppers, cucumber, parsley, and cilantro. Rarely we throw in other veggies like corn shucks, brussel sprouts, dill, strawberries, watermelon, or a baby carrot. I can't imagine that this is a vitamin deficiency.

I'm making a vet appointment on monday. But, I'm worried sick. Any advice?
 
CheeseMommy said:
I noticed a few days ago that when he ran, Queso was hopping like a bunny. He is quite a large pig, (probably about 3.5 grams). He is often very lazy, but he seems a little lazier than usual. Last night and today, I noticed he was limping and not putting weight on his back leg. I've examined his back legs and his paws twice now and found nothing. I have also noticed lots of white and a few yellow stains on the piggy padding. I figured we're feeding the three pigs too much Romaine Lettuce and Parsley.

He is about 3 or 3 1/2 years old. An American pig. His eyes are bright and he still has a huge appetite and is drinking water like a fish (he's always been a thirsty pig). His teeth are fine and he's eating hay 24/7. The other two guinea pigs were humping him so much that I had to put a cage divider in so they'd leave him alone and not hurt whatever is hurting him. It's just he has a hard time walking suddenly.

Typically he gets pellets, hay, and water every day. Then probably an over abundance of red leaf, green leaf, romaine, bell peppers, cucumber, parsley, and cilantro. Rarely we throw in other veggies like corn shucks, brussel sprouts, dill, strawberries, watermelon, or a baby carrot. I can't imagine that this is a vitamin deficiency.

I'm making a vet appointment on monday. But, I'm worried sick. Any advice?
Click to expand...

Please take a deep breath and calm down!

It sounds like a joint sprain. They are pretty common on guinea pigs; depending on the severity it takes a few days or weeks to fully heal up - you have likely managed to twist your ankle or knee at some point and know the feeling, especially when you make a wrong move! Your vet may give you some anti-inflammatory/painkiller depending on the severity, but I would stop worrying if I were you. As guinea pigs use their front legs to bear the weight of the body and their back legs as propelling springs, bunny hopping is the easiest way for them to move around when they do not want to put too much weight on one of their legs. ;)

Please be aware that any joint starting from the hip/shoulder can be affected, not just the paws. Lively youngsters and heavier/overweight guinea pigs are more at risk twisting their legs because they come down on it heavier.

Please do NOT overdo your vegetables and pellets.
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet
 
Thank you so much Wiebke. :,) I have three little ones who were all adopted from less-than ideal circumstances and Queso, who was my first and my dear love, is very close to my heart. We have already lessened veggies and pellets considerably so they all go on a healthy piggy diet.
 
An update on Queso... he was being bullied which aggravated his arthritis in his back knees. The vet found his knees where thick and put him on anti-inflammatory meds. He is up and walking around. Super happy!
 
I'm so pleased you have found the cause of the problem. A bit of anti inflammatory medication in an older, arthritic piggy can make the world of difference. So glad you've seen the improvement already.
 
I am glad that your piggie is ok now, but being overweight does not help and can only worsen an arthrosis and a general inflammation in the inner body... are you sure his diet is okay? I don't blame the vegs and the hay of course, but the pellets and fruits and other caloric and dangerous foods. There is a medical research on line on guinea pigs and their troubles at knees and hips and the results are extremely clear: it depends only on their weight and not on the genes and other excuses... in the USA there is a doctor (I forgot his name) who makes the bill more expensive when he has to nurse an obese piggie... I have read something on a forum, I laughed but I think he is right.
I have lost a piggie long ago for the wrong diet suggested by a stupid vet; he was active and happy, but the autopsy showed a lot of damages which were not visible and were all linked to the obesity (1500g... yes, for his size he was overweight, according to the new expert and serious vet I am following now). Your piggie is still young and already suffers for inflammation... there is something wrong. I would ask a good pet about a slow work on his diet, making sure his glycaemia is okay and stopping overfeeding him if he is always so hungry. It is like for us humans, being a glutton does not mean we should eat...
ah, the stupid vet allowed my poor piggie to eat freely "good quality" pellets.
Inner inflammation is something we can avoid or reduce only changing the style of eating...
I hope your piggie can live far from the medicines...
 
@rome_italy I'm so sorry for your loss. :( Actually, the night I made this post was when I realized we were overfeeding our piggies. We gave them big piles of veggies every night and a half full bowl per pig of pellets. Since then, we've reduced veggies significantly (just a cup a day now) and only giving the pigs a tablespoon of pellets a day (as recommended by the vet). Queso, the largest is somewhere between 1200 and 1300 g. When we first got Queso, he was this size because his previous owner had him living in a plastic bin and kept his pellet bowl full. He never got anything else to eat besides pellets and hay. No veggies at all. :(

Sugary veggies have never been a problem. They have only gotten a baby carrot perhaps once or twice a week or maybe a strawberry or piece of melon once a month. Though, a big problem right now is too much calcium. Thinking Queso's hop may have been a result of scurry, I gave them a few leaves of kale twice one week on top of feeding them too much parsley and romaine lettuce. Now they have whitespots all over their cage. I've cut out romaine, parsley, and kale completely and hope their calcium level returns to normal.
 
You are doing an amazing job with your dear Queso, and it is lovely to see you back posting again.
I remember when you rescued him, and I was amazed that anyone could ever keep a guinea pig like that.
Despite his problems he is a very lucky boy to be leading the life he does with such committed owners.
 
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