• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Sudden limping

Status
Not open for further replies.
Misty1984

Misty1984

Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
41
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Bradford, West Yorkshire
I'm very worried for my guinea at the minute. She started limping on Saturday night. Was literally a case of giving her some attention and she was fine to walking outside to see to the other animals, coming back in and she was lame on her right front paw. She hasn't been walking on it since but she does put it on the bars of the cage and does put it down sometimes but won't walk on it. She has had this problem before with lameness but she has always come round. She doesn't appear to be in any pain though I understand guineas are very good at masking their pain. She is still squeaking (she is a shrill squeaker when she wants something) is still eating, drinking, passing and playing properly but she is limping. She isn't in pain when I touch it and I can't feel anything untowards, like a broken leg, as I would imagine she would cry out if it was broken and I was touching it. Any ideas? She was in a cage that had a second tier with her food and hay so I'm wondering if she has taken a leap and just gone over on her ankle or her elbow. It does appear to be her lower leg that hurts as she does flinch a little when I move her lower leg rather than from the shoulder. Any ideas?
 
Its most likely that shes taken a tumble... keep an eye on her for the next few days, if it gets worse, I would recommend a vets.

Generally if its not a physical injury, it is diet related. Vitamin C deficiency causes limping/hopping.
 
Hey. Thanks for your reply. It doesn't seem to be getting worse, just not getting any better. I've thought about the deficiency but she gets carrot twice a day which I believe is a good source of vitamin C and would limping come on so suddenly if diet related?
 
It does come on very suddenly yes.

I would recommend green veg, carrots are good, but a bit of green is good too. Spring greens are cheap for a lot, and they love it.

Just to be on the safe side, go to a chemist and buy soluble vit c tablets and put half of one in her water bottle, generally they like the flavour, and see if it helps?
 
Too add:
My pigs get the vit c in thier water every other day, they really like it, and despite the fact that they all get silly amounts of veg a day, it gives me piece of mind that they are definately getting enough.

Growing guinea pigs need almost as much vit c a day as what we do! Surprising, but true!
 
Hello I hope you will not mind me saying this but carrot every day is not suitable. Your piggies need more of a variety in their diet. Try cucumber,romaine lettuce,bell peppers,parsley,corn on the cob.

I would not advise adding vitamins to water as they often stop drinking it as they do not like the taste and you cannot be sure of how much each piggy is getting. I buy tablets from hay experts which are online. I crush one and put it on a slice of cucumber for them to eat. This way you can be sure they each get their vitamin c.

I would not leave your piggy limping at all. Piggies hide any pain and she could be suffering. I would take her to a vet right away. She may need pain relief.
 
Maybe it was a slight exaggeration. She doesn't just get carrot, she gets broccoli, lettuce, sometimes grape and apple but not all at once obviously. She does get two portions of veg every day along with her pellets and her hay. She does live on her own in the house with us so I'm not unduly concerned that she isn't getting her share cos she definitely is hehe! Greedy little soul. I'm going to speak with our vet tomorrow about it, she has suffered with her limping before now and he's always said rest her and she's always come round just this time seems to be taking a little longer. It isn't affecting her personally, she's still lively and happy enough squealing first thing in the morning and first thing when we get home from work and last thing at night haha!
 
Why do you just have the one piggy? I wonder what it is that she seems to suffer with limpness. Is it always the same leg?
 
She came to us with her sister and her sister passed away last Christmas. She's our only guinea now and she's knocking on in years and she's now in the house with us. I can't say I've noticed that its the same leg. This is first time in a long time that she started limping on it again. I suspect she has taken a tumble in her cage as I suspect if she had broken anything we would know about it. Either way I'm going to speak with our vet in the morning and see what he thinks about it. She's happy enough in herself, just a bit lame on that one leg
 
Aww poor little thing. How old is she? Will she be your last piggy or would you consider finding her a friend?
 
No she will definitely be our last one. She's 5 now so she's getting on in years. We've had a fair few over the years and it definitely doesn't get any easier when you lose one. Most of ours have died of old age and it just breaks your heart every time one goes. As much as I love them all to death Bubble will definitely be our last guinea :) She's got a special place in our hearts though and she definitely means the world to us thats why we don't like to see her lame. Don't get me wrong, her behaviour hasn't changed at all. She still climbs on the bars on a morning and shrieks at top volume for her veg and hay and she still puts her bad leg on the bars of the cage but she just doesn't walk on it
 
I have not lost a guinea pig but really fear that day. I can understand you not wanting to have any more. You should post a picture of her. It would be lovely to see her. Five is a great age. :)
 
Well to be honest we're looking to move abroad in the next few months so it wouldn't be fair or right for us to bring another guinea pig into our situation. I would probably adopt every unwanted guinea that I found at our adoption centre if I could, we definitely have the room for them but it wouldn't be fair or right. I love guineas totally and absolutely and it does break your heart when they go I won't lie to you. We've had 8 altogether and we've just got her left now. Its not nice but they always leave a special place in your heart :D
 
It is lovely that you have cared and loved them all so much. Will you take your little one with you when you move?
 
No unfortunately we won't be able to and it wouldn't be fair for the long flight and the quarantine but she will be looked after by my mum and Bubble gets on very well with her so it shouldn't distress her too much I hope. She's the one in my profile now so you can see what she is like.
 
Cucumber is good as a treat, but i wouldn't recommend it as part of a staple diet, it had virtually no goodness in it at all.
 
Oh she is so cute! At least she will be with your mum and you will be able to still hear all about her. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top