Slight limp

[happycath]

Hi all,
I noticed last night that Rocky has a slight limp - I think it is his front right leg. When I was having a cuddle he seemed more relaxed than usual (I'm hoping thats because I caught him for cuddle time in a non-panicky way, and not because he doesn't feel well...) and I had a good look at the pads of all his paws, which appear fine. I also had a gentle feel of each leg and he didn't seem to dislike me touching them at all so I don't think the limp is causing him any pain.
He was still limping slightly this morning, although he greeted breakfast with the same enthusiasm as usual!
I think I will keep a close eye on him tonight and tomorrow morning and if he appears to be in any pain or it doesn't seem to be getting better I'll pop him along to the vet for a check up. But for the time being I think he has probably just strained a muscle and hopefully it will heal on its own.
Is there anything I can try or any specific checks I can do to check that no serious damage has been done? Or to make sure he is comfortable?
I read that a little soak in warm water might help?
Thanks
Catherine

 

[Laura-CCC4]

These things are simply best monitored over the course of a day or two. If the limp worsens in that time, you should get the leg checked by the vet. Most limps tend to be slight strains which ease off within a day or two. Pain relief can be given in cases where the limp is more severe, but if the leg/foot doesn't hurt when touched it's unlikely to be particularly sore.

Overenthusiastic running about and popcorning is a fairly common cause, as well as the usual case of a pig jumping too keenly from an owners hands!

Hopefully he'll be back to normal very soon.

 

[Shiltontwister]

One of my piggies was limping on her front leg (this is a few weeks ago now), I picked her up checked everything, as you do, couldn't see anything obvious and then I felt under her foot and she had a hard piece of skin which had got so hard it felt like bone with a very sharp point on it that was sticking into her pad. I gently filed it down so it was smoother and off she went walking normally. I knew it could be filed or cut as Jeeves had one on his foot when he went to vets with something else, the vet noticed it and she just cut it back, she didn't cut it right off.
Perhaps it could be something like that?p

 

[Shiltontwister]

I meant to say that I think they are like callouses or corns which we get on our feet. I think the vet said not to cut them right off as probably they may have a blood supply going to them but it is easy to keep them filed or cut back smooth.p

 

[alcesterpigs]

A useful over the counter painkiller is Calpol, which is given at a dose of 0.2ml every twelve hours.
Rimadyl, which is prescription only, is a combined painkiller/anti-inflammatory which would be beneficial if the problem persists for more than a few days.