Sudden Hind Leg Paralysis

[Bhill8990]

Hey everybody,
We have a skinny pig named Rufus and e were at the vet with him all night last night.
I am not sure how old he is but I don’t believe he’s very old. He was perfectly fine all day until about 430 when I noticed his hind legs hanging out of his little honeybee hive. I thought maybe he was just stretching but when I went to go pick him up his hind legs were limp. He had no feeling but I could tell he was scared so I waited a little while to see if maybe it was some type of pinched nerve or something that would go away but it didn’t. About 7 o’clock I took him to our vet, hysterically I might add. The vet took x-rays and examined him and said everything looked great and that he was in no pain because he had absolutely no feeling (he is peeing and pooping like a champ) but gave him a shot for inflammation anyway to maybe try and take some pressure off. What am I supposed to do from here? I feel so lost and helpless. He is great other than the obvious, pretty sure it’s scaring me more than him.
Backstory- I have been allergic to animals my entire life and about two months ago I was diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia so my stress and anxiety has been absolutely through the roof. I found Rufus, who is a skinny pig with no hair but a little on his feet and nose and I’ve had NO allergies! It sounds so corny but he is seriously like an emotional support animal to me and calms me down better than anything.
I will never give up on him but I don’t know what to do for him right now and it’s killing me. He is currently set up on my nightstand with food, water and his favorite chews. If anyone has any advice or ideas please let me know.
Thank you so much 

 

[Wiebke]

Hey everybody,
We have a skinny pig named Rufus and e were at the vet with him all night last night.
I am not sure how old he is but I don’t believe he’s very old. He was perfectly fine all day until about 430 when I noticed his hind legs hanging out of his little honeybee hive. I thought maybe he was just stretching but when I went to go pick him up his hind legs were limp. He had no feeling but I could tell he was scared so I waited a little while to see if maybe it was some type of pinched nerve or something that would go away but it didn’t. About 7 o’clock I took him to our vet, hysterically I might add. The vet took x-rays and examined him and said everything looked great and that he was in no pain because he had absolutely no feeling (he is peeing and pooping like a champ) but gave him a shot for inflammation anyway to maybe try and take some pressure off. What am I supposed to do from here? I feel so lost and helpless. He is great other than the obvious, pretty sure it’s scaring me more than him.
Backstory- I have been allergic to animals my entire life and about two months ago I was diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia so my stress and anxiety has been absolutely through the roof. I found Rufus, who is a skinny pig with no hair but a little on his feet and nose and I’ve had NO allergies! It sounds so corny but he is seriously like an emotional support animal to me and calms me down better than anything.
I will never give up on him but I don’t know what to do for him right now and it’s killing me. He is currently set up on my nightstand with food, water and his favorite chews. If anyone has any advice or ideas please let me know.
Thank you so much 

Hi and welcome!

Has your vet checked for GI stasis or a sudden temporary drop in calcium?

Please take the time to read this guide here; it contains a list of potential causes for sudden onset back leg paralysis and plenty of practical care and enrichment tips which you will find very helpful: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

Please take a deep breath. In most cases, the paralysis reverses itself although depending on what is causing it, it may take anything from a couple of days to some weeks and can be anything from a complete reversal to a remaining weakness. But it is by far not the end of the road.

 

[Bhill8990]

Hi and welcome!

Has your vet checked for GI stasis or a sudden temporary drop in calcium?

Please take the time to read this guide here; it contains a list of potential causes for sudden onset back leg paralysis and plenty of practical care and enrichment tips which you will find very helpful: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

Please take a deep breath. In most cases, the paralysis reverses itself although depending on what is causing it, it may take anything from a couple of days to some weeks and can be anything from a complete reversal to a remaining weakness. But it is by far not the end of the road.

This just gave me serious happy tears. I swear my hand has been in the same position under his hands for the last 30 minutes and every time I go to move he stomps down on them again.

No, he didn’t check for that, he did x-rays and a physical exam. He said neurologically, he’s perfect and physically he seems perfect as well, which is great news but it doesn’t give me answers you know? Is there something I can give him for a little added calcium? Or should I just kind of let it play out? He’s so sweet and innocent and I feel so helpless, I hate it.
I will read up on the article you attached. You just gave me the most hope I’ve had since this happened so I sincerely thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

The problem is that without knowing what the back leg paralysis has been caused by, treating on spec can cause further problems down the line. But it is great that he is getting control back in his back legs. Please encourage him to move around as much as he can in the coming days.

Sudden back leg paralysis caused by a calcium drop is typical for an older piggy but not for young ones so I would not recommend to treat on spec. How old is yours?

 

[Bhill8990]

I’m not sure I don’t think he’s very old but where I got him from they didn’t have very much information. I went in to get stuff for my turtles and turned around and he was just staring at me and it was love at first sight plus I didn’t want him sitting in there alone not knowing who he’s going to. I would much rather adopt but I couldn’t leave him there.
Is there a way to tell how old they are?

 

[Wiebke]

I’m not sure I don’t think he’s very old but where I got him from they didn’t have very much information. I went in to get stuff for my turtles and turned around and he was just staring at me and it was love at first sight plus I didn’t want him sitting in there alone not knowing who he’s going to. I would much rather adopt but I couldn’t leave him there.
Is there a way to tell how old they are?

No, unfortunately not; once they are grown. You can usually tell whether a piggy is sub-adult, adult or mature but nailing things down more closely is very difficult.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

My understanding of paralysis due to calcium issues is that it is very sudden and that the pig is in every other way totally normal, ie appetite, pooping, alertness, etc. Why this can happen I don't know but calcium plays an important role in nerve impulse transmission and muscle function. I have read that calcium + vitamin D supplement can help restore function but would not supplement without consulting a vet about it first.