Sick but Improving Guinea Pig and a Complete 180. Please help.

[OldManNibbs]

Hi, one of our male elder guinea pigs named Owlie (6.5-7yo) was brought in to an exotic NYC vet 2 weeks ago for an outbreak of lice (it seemed to blow up out of nowhere), and some right hind leg mobility issues. He was given a general check up, and provided treated w/ Revolution. An ear swab was also done and he was diagnosed with a yeast infection. He was given ear drops (Miconazole Nitrate) for that. During the exam, he may have had a seizure during some spot touches/scratches as well.

Since then, it looked like he was improving really well - squeaking again for treats, climbing the cage, running around better, and less active lice observed. He just had his 2nd Revolution treatment on 5/13/26.

This morning, almost a complete 180 - he is completely dragging the right leg, his left eye appears watery, and he is missing more hair on the left side of his body. His hind right toenails look off, and also has something growing or stuck to his hamstring* area. Luckily, he is still pooping well and eating normally… but how the hell can this happen?!

We’re bringing him to the vet again today and will probably do the works - but this is not what we were expecting. My wife and I have had guinea pigs in our lives since 2015. It is all fun and cute until this point and again now the most heartbreaking thing imaginable. I can’t handle this anymore. I’ve always hoped our pets/pigs are the lucky ones that live past general expectancy. Stupid.

I’ve attached photos for any feedback, support, and experiences you may have had that appear similar in this case. I hope this isn’t the end for our little guy.

 

[Truffolo]

Poor Owlie, I hope the vet can help him I think for mites the cage and bedding needs to be decontaminated and the egg cases removed by trimming the fur where they can be seen on the hairs. I hope someone with more experience comes along. The forum guides to dealing with lice under the section on healthcare are excellent

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, one of our male elder guinea pigs named Owlie (6.5-7yo) was brought in to an exotic NYC vet 2 weeks ago for an outbreak of lice (it seemed to blow up out of nowhere), and some right hind leg mobility issues. He was given a general check up, and provided treated w/ Revolution. An ear swab was also done and he was diagnosed with a yeast infection. He was given ear drops (Miconazole Nitrate) for that. During the exam, he may have had a seizure during some spot touches/scratches as well.

Since then, it looked like he was improving really well - squeaking again for treats, climbing the cage, running around better, and less active lice observed. He just had his 2nd Revolution treatment on 5/13/26.

This morning, almost a complete 180 - he is completely dragging the right leg, his left eye appears watery, and he is missing more hair on the left side of his body. His hind right toenails look off, and also has something growing or stuck to his hamstring* area. Luckily, he is still pooping well and eating normally… but how the hell can this happen?!

We’re bringing him to the vet again today and will probably do the works - but this is not what we were expecting. My wife and I have had guinea pigs in our lives since 2015. It is all fun and cute until this point and again now the most heartbreaking thing imaginable. I can’t handle this anymore. I’ve always hoped our pets/pigs are the lucky ones that live past general expectancy. Stupid.

I’ve attached photos for any feedback, support, and experiences you may have had that appear similar in this case. I hope this isn’t the end for our little guy.

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry. Your beautiful Owlie is right at the upper end of the average life span and has beaten the vast majority of his age mates. Being in the top half, potentially top quarter of piggies is not a bad innings - but no matter how old a piggy gets, it is sadly always too soon. But he is certainly a testament to your love and your good care.

The problem is that you have no control over when and in what form the end of life comes. Whether it is an organ that gives or the immune system or quite simply old age and a much faster metabolism turning against what is essentially a small animal.
In your case, it may be the immune system or the no longer flexible and weaker immune system could be impacted by whatever is going on.
I hope that youe vet can tell you more.

PS: That actually looks rather like a soft poo to me that has been squished and dried against the leg? You will have to work it off gently by soaking the poo in order to soften it and then getting off the damp bit. It may take several rounds. Not pleasant but not uncommon with older piggies.
He could also have broken off a nail, but that rather looks like a little while ago as it looks healed up to me? I can only see two other nails which look like they are no longer growing much on that foot in your picture - it could be connected to what has been causing the back leg issue?
Mobility loss in older piggies due to arthritis or other issues is sadly not at all common with older piggies.

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

 

[OldManNibbs]

Poor Owlie, I hope the vet can help him I think for mites the cage and bedding needs to be decontaminated and the egg cases removed by trimming the fur where they can be seen on the hairs. I hope someone with more experience comes along. The forum guides to dealing with lice under the section on healthcare are excellent

Thank you. He was doing great on recovery… Since the first treatment we’ve seen a tremendous drop off of active/running lice. They’ve had new and fresh bedding (bath mats rewashed on high heat/high dry). We even bought both pigs new cages and chloroplast. I’ve been working a lot/late since Friday so my wife took over with a lot of the care, but she’s great. She told me this morning he was favoring the left leg again, and when I saw him this morning on my day off he was moving horribly.

I will definitely review the lice guidelines as well.

 

[OldManNibbs]

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry. Your beautiful Owlie is right at the upper end of the average life span and has beaten the vast majority of his age mates. Being in the top half, potentially top quarter of piggies is not a bad innings - but no matter how old a piggy gets, it is sadly always too soon. But he is certainly a testament to your love and your good care.

The problem is that you have no control over when and in what form the end of life comes. Whether it is an organ that gives or the immune system or quite simply old age and a much faster metabolism turning against what is essentially a small animal.
In your case, it may be the immune system or the no longer flexible and weaker immune system could be impacted by whatever is going on.

PS: That actually looks rather like a soft poo to me that has been squished and dried against the leg? You will have to work it off gently by soaking the poo in order to soften it and then getting off the damp bit. It may take several rounds. Not pleasant but not uncommon with older piggies.
He could also have broken off a nail, but that rather looks like a little while ago as it looks healed up to me? I can only see two other nails which look like they are no longer growing much on that foot in your picture - it could be connected to what has been causing the back leg issue?
Mobility loss in older piggies due to arthritis or other issues is sadly not at all common with older piggies.

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

Thank you for the reply. I feel terrible for Owlie.

To confirm, he does have 3 nails on that back right foot. Do you think it look like bumble foot/infection of his foot? Since his first round of mobility issues, when he gets comfortable he’ll just pee and lay in poop -could this have infected him further and now worsening there?

We are doing x-rays and blood work and we’re hoping to see what that can show. The vet thinks it may be something neurological perhaps cancer. These symptoms all being secondary to something larger. They’re going to clip off that gunk on his leg and clean him up down there too.

On a good note, we’re being told his ears look much cleaner and coat looks better - less active lice seen despite more obviously missing patches. The vet thinks it may be from shedding from the treatment.

I feel his symptoms are way worse since he has to move in an unbalanced manner.

Over here in the U.S., this is going to run me around $1K. It is what it is. I just hope he can get better.

 

[weepweeps]

Poor Owlie. Sending him healing vibes and hugs to you and your wife. It’s so stressful looking after a poorly piggy

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the reply. I feel terrible for Owlie.

To confirm, he does have 3 nails on that back right foot. Do you think it look like bumble foot/infection of his foot? Since his first round of mobility issues, when he gets comfortable he’ll just pee and lay in poop -could this have infected him further and now worsening there?

We are doing x-rays and blood work and we’re hoping to see what that can show. The vet thinks it may be something neurological perhaps cancer. These symptoms all being secondary to something larger. They’re going to clip off that gunk on his leg and clean him up down there too.

On a good note, we’re being told his ears look much cleaner and coat looks better - less active lice seen despite more obviously missing patches. The vet thinks it may be from shedding from the treatment.

I feel his symptoms are way worse since he has to move in an unbalanced manner.

Over here in the U.S., this is going to run me around $1K. It is what it is. I just hope he can get better.

Hi

Thank you for clarifying the foot issue.
It looks like some kind of growth to me but definitely not like bumblefoot, which happens typically on the pads on the front feet and it is either a bloody sore or a dark scab. Totally different. What it could be I have no idea; I am sorry.

I am very sorry that your old boy is becoming wobbly. My fingers are crossed for him and you. It is such a difficult time when you suddenly come face to face with your worst fears.

My suspicion is also that it could be something neurological, where there is unfortunately very little that can be done. Neurology in guinea pigs is a badly under-researched area in an already badly under-researched species.
Unfortunately, cancer in guinea pigs is not faring much better.
But I hope that the tests can give you the answers you want to base any decisions on and to ultimately make peace with what is happening.

 

[Boarworld]

Thank you for the reply. I feel terrible for Owlie.

To confirm, he does have 3 nails on that back right foot. Do you think it look like bumble foot/infection of his foot? Since his first round of mobility issues, when he gets comfortable he’ll just pee and lay in poop -could this have infected him further and now worsening there?

We are doing x-rays and blood work and we’re hoping to see what that can show. The vet thinks it may be something neurological perhaps cancer. These symptoms all being secondary to something larger. They’re going to clip off that gunk on his leg and clean him up down there too.

On a good note, we’re being told his ears look much cleaner and coat looks better - less active lice seen despite more obviously missing patches. The vet thinks it may be from shedding from the treatment.

I feel his symptoms are way worse since he has to move in an unbalanced manner.

Over here in the U.S., this is going to run me around $1K. It is what it is. I just hope he can get better.

Poor Owlie, and big hugs to you. He’s an old fella now, you’ve done well to keep him going to this age. I hope you and the vet can make his remaining time with you happy and comfortable.

If it makes you feel (any) better, here in the UK veterinary treatment isn’t any cheaper (as far as I can tell) than in the US! We may be fortunate enough to have universal free at point of service human healthcare but it’s a different story for our animals. I had a £1000 vet bill for one of my dearly departed boys last year and that covered a consultation, one round of medication, a scan, then sadly a euthanasia and cremation.

 

[OldManNibbs]

Someone on another forum saw the photo of the foot and mentioned pad callouses. Do you think that’s enough to cause discomfort and not using the leg? From the looks of it, does it seem like that leg/foot/nail is infected? If he lays on right side and just pees and poops on it, can it get infected and worsen if he isn’t properly cleaning or moving himself around? I’m grasping at straws as you can see…

Anyways, my wife and I are going to start weighing him and supplementing critical care into his diet as we await more info from the vet. Upping his vitamin c as well.

 

[OldManNibbs]

Update:
Update: Just had a scary encounter with hardened boar glue on/around his penis. It doesn’t look like it obstructed anything and came out. I was able to cut it and remove it. I think it was on his urethra (see photo).

I don’t think he’s really done this often prior to getting sick. What can cause this? If he lays too long in one position I’m going to be more fearful there will be an obstruction at some point.

 

[Merab]

Poor Owlie
Holding you in my thoughts

 

[OldManNibbs]

Update:
Update: Just had a scary encounter with hardened boar glue on/around his penis. It doesn’t look like it obstructed anything and came out. I was able to cut it and remove it. I think it was on his urethra (see photo).

I don’t think he’s really done this often prior to getting sick. What can cause this? If he lays too long in one position I’m going to be more fearful there will be an obstruction at some point.

Ugh, is this bumblefoot? We were about to give him a butt bath this morning and saw this. Front right leg.

What if his back leg is/was infected that’s spread to the bone? I’m reading up on osteomyelitis, and I’m scared my vet may not be on top of him.

Still waiting on x-ray results potentially today tomorrow.

 

[OldManNibbs]

We’ve received the results from the x-rays and comments from the vet, believing his situation stems from IVDD. I don’t know how I feel about it considering the timelines of the lice outbreak and ear infection, but I’m no vet. I’m wondering if we’re missing out on something else here, and I’m nervous about making the wrong call or not doing enough.

Anyways, I’m posting Owlie’s x-rays, results, and findings - if anyone has any additional comments or thoughts please share. Hopefully someone else can utilize what I’m sharing to support them and their pigs.

 

[Truffolo]

Thank you for this, it really helps to be aware of this condition. Perhaps a stronger pain control medication could help? Sending wishes for strength and comfort

 

[OldManNibbs]

Update 5/24/26: Owlie has been eating well and putting on a little weight (weighing 1022g). We’re still supplementing his diet with crit care and his Oxbow round of treats: Vit C, Digestive, and Joint. He’s getting supplemental critical care 1x-2x a day., and a good balance of high Vit C veggies.

Aside from the dragging of the leg, he looks good. Sometimes he’ll try to get himself up, and actually balances enough on his leg for a really wobbly short distance scurry – I’m proud he’s trying. We would like to try to help him if it’s a muscle atrophy situation, but he still has a strong push with it I feel.

He just got his 3rd Revolution treatment yesterday and a full cage cleanup. We haven’t seen any live lice in a while, but a lot of eggs still. Are these dead eggs? I guess we were expecting to see a hatch sometime after each cycle but nothing. Is that weird?

I’m concerned a 4th treatment would be needed or it isn’t 100% a success. I don’t know how the cycle/recovery looks.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Aside from the dragging of the leg, he looks good. Sometimes he’ll try to get himself up, and actually balances enough on his leg for a really wobbly short distance scurry – I’m proud he’s trying.

Awww. Guineas can be so brave and so determined.
At least he looks good, aside from the leg. Keeping my fingers crossed for him and you.

 

[weepweeps]

It’s excellent news that Owlie is doing ok. I’m pleased he’s eating and putting on weight.

It’s so positive that he’s using the leg more too.

I think the revolution kills live lice. So usually 3 rounds is enough. But this was a particularly large amount of eggs so maybe a 4th round may be needed. I’d definitely ask your vet about this. If you can cut the eggs out that would be the best solution. But I understand that this isn’t always possible.

Good luck I hope he’s feeling better soon

 

[Merab]

Just offering support.
Holding you in my heart

 

[OldManNibbs]

Hi everyone! To send a positive update, Owlie has been sort of using his hind right leg more frequently for short distances and then he’ll plop once he’s reached his destination, so it isn’t completely out of order (lol).

But he’s happy – biting the cage and squeaking, and now enjoying his oat hay we just got him as bonus type.

We were given a 4th dose of Revolution which hasn’t been administered yet. My wife and I see eggs but don’t see any live lice and haven’t since the first few days of treatment so we’re holding off a little. Are these dead eggs just stuck to the hair shafts? Should we just do the treatment?

Also, Owlie looks to be packing on a little bit of weight we stopped weighing him daily, but for context he weighed 976g on 5/18/26 when he was taken to the vet to weighing 1045g last week. Should we give him floor time to encourage more movement or still let him “rest”? I’m also considering buying him a wheelchair for when it’s time for physical therapy. His back side - to me - look a little less muscly. For anyone who watches King of the Hill (US-based cartoon), my wife and I joke that he has a Hank Hill butt. Lol.

What do you all think?

 

[Merab]

So glad to hear of Owlie’s improvement.
If the vet has given you the 4th dose of Revolution then it’s best to follow the vet’s advice.
Hope he continues to improve

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I would do the treatment, since the vet gave you another round.