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Sudden Paralysis in Back Legs

Julezfm39 said:
Thank you 🙏💕 I definitely need some professional support. Peanut is the last of my 13 boys. Over 6 ½ years they have all gone now and some days I feel like I will never get over the heartache. In that time I’ve also lost 4 rats and 4 hamsters. I’m beginning to think I’m cursed and that I must have been a terrible mum 💔💔. My fur babies have been my strength and comfort. You’re right, I’m at breaking point and it’s time I took care of my own health. Thank you ❤️ and hugs to you too 🤗🤗
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If you feel cursed, try to think of me: in the 24 months between 15th August 2021 and 15th August 2023 I have lost 22 piggies - keeping in mind that I have had about 27/28 piggies in all during that time and that for about two years I have averaged losing a piggy most months - only that it didn't happen as nicely spaced out. I did lose two just a day apart and in another bunch 3 piggies in just a week; two of them without warning. And I had about five months where I lost three; often two of them in the same week without the deaths being connected, apart from a couple of heat spikes doing for some of my frailer piggies.
Overall, the life spans ranged from 3-8 years and levelled out at the average. And I hadn't lost any piggies at all in the 18 months before, so it was a classic London buses scenario.

It was however totally brutal but I have come through it and I can assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel again. Sheer statistics don't make you a bad owner. It's our human wiring of trying to find the fault within ourselves. ;)

6 1/2 years is actually on the higher side of an average lifetime; so losing them all during that time, depending on how many years ago you have started, sounds reasonable to me for pets with a very high metabolism. The same also goes for your rats and hamsters when you look at the average lifetimes.
Anyway, you can only do those maths with 10 of your piggies because the last three don't count - their early demise is not down to you in the first place and they are therefore statistically not relevant, as they are not a reflection of your own care. Only if you really want to revel in making yourself feel sick in your soul...

You have just too much heartache to deal with at once and that has brought up all the other losses again. That is also rather normal and nothing you should chastise yourself for.
If it helps you, try to see it like this: Your soul has currently go the equivalent of a bad bout of food poisoning - but since you haven't deliberately eaten bad food or have been deliberately careless about where you got the bad food from, you should not blame yourself for everything coming out and back up every possible way and giving you really nasty soul cramps.

Just get on with looking after yourself, see your vet and rest up. And once you have the time in the week also talk to the people on the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement phone line. :tu:
 
Wiebke said:
If you feel cursed, try to think of me: in the 24 months between 15th August 2021 and 15th August 2023 I have lost 22 piggies - keeping in mind that I have had about 27/28 piggies in all during that time and that for about two years I have averaged losing a piggy most months - only that it didn't happen as nicely spaced out. I did lose two just a day apart and in another bunch 3 piggies in just a week; two of them without warning. And I had about five months where I lost three; often two of them in the same week without the deaths being connected, apart from a couple of heat spikes doing for some of my frailer piggies.
Overall, the life spans ranged from 3-8 years and levelled out at the average. And I hadn't lost any piggies at all in the 18 months before, so it was a classic London buses scenario.

It was totally brutal but I have come through it and I can assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel again. Sheer statistics don't make you a bad owner. It's our human wiring of trying to find the fault within ourselves. ;)

6 1/2 years is actually on the higher side of an average lifetime; so losing them all during that time, depending on how many years ago you have started, sounds reasonable to me for pets with a very high metabolism. The same also goes for your rats and hamsters when you look at the average lifetimes.
Anyway, you can only do those maths with 10 of your piggies because the last three don't count - their early demise is not down to you in the first place and they are therefore statistically not relevant, as they are not a reflection of your own care. Only if you really want to revel in making yourself feel sick in your soul...

You have just too much heartache to deal with at once and that has brought up all the other losses again. That is also rather normal and nothing you should chistise yourself for.
If it helps you: Your soul has currently go the equivalent of a bad bout of food poisoning - but since you haven't deliberately eaten bad food or have been deliberately careless about where you got the bad food from, you should not blame yourself for it coming out and back up every possible way and giving you soul cramps.

Just get on with looking after yourself, see your vet and rest up. And once you have the time in the week also talk to the people on the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement phone line. :tu:
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That is tragic to lose precious piggies close together 🥺😢. I’m so sorry 😔. I started looking after piggies 6 ½ years ago so yes, I’ve lost 10 in that time, ranging from 1 year to 6 ½ years.. Snowy was my first loss and he died from heat stroke indoors - he was only a year old. He had been running around and collapsed. It was the summer of 2020 and it was so hot in the house. Even though Snowy survived he was too brain damaged to carry on and I had him put to sleep. It absolutely broke my heart 💔. The grief I’ve felt in this past month has brought up all the pain of losing all my piggies. The average age I lost them at was about 4 I think though I lost 4 piggies at 3 years old too.
I have to stop thinking about these stats otherwise I will just go under mentally 😣
Your analogies are so spot on. These soul cramps as you accurately call them are really causing me such distress. I will definitely speak to the Blue Cross this week 💙. Thank you again 💕
 
Julezfm39 said:
My sweet boy is back on the snacks 😍🥬🫑He definitely loves his celery 💚💚
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What a gorgeous boy! I'm glad he's eating again.

I had a very elderly piggy lady who couldn't walk towards the end of her life, but she still liked to eat and so seemed to me to have quality of life. I used to pick her up and put her in different spots in her living quarters, so she wasn't sitting in the wet. I think you are doing this with Peanut too.

I wish Peanut lots of lovely snacks and the ability to eat and enjoy them. And hopefully some progress with this back legs too.
 
Mrs Tiggy Winkle said:
What a gorgeous boy! I'm glad he's eating again.

I had a very elderly piggy lady who couldn't walk towards the end of her life, but she still liked to eat and so seemed to me to have quality of life. I used to pick her up and put her in different spots in her living quarters, so she wasn't sitting in the wet. I think you are doing this with Peanut too.

I wish Peanut lots of lovely snacks and the ability to eat and enjoy them. And hopefully some progress with this back legs too.
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Aww yes this is what I do with Peanut. I have to remove the poop from his little bottom and wipe him before popping him in a new dry spot. His food is really close to him so he can just munch away! 🥬🥬 As long as he’s eating happily then that’s quality of life 😍. Thank you for your support ❤️
 
Julezfm39 said:
Aww yes this is what I do with Peanut. I have to remove the poop from his little bottom and wipe him before popping him in a new dry spot. His food is really close to him so he can just munch away! 🥬🥬 As long as he’s eating happily then that’s quality of life 😍. Thank you for your support ❤️
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Just check the soles of all four feet for sores - long term immobile piggies are more prone to bumblefoot infections and they also need a brush to spread the oil from the grease gland over the coat and skin as part of their immune defence.

But a paralysed piggy that is still eating happily away is one that still has enough quality of life to have zest for life - or in the case of piggies, quite literally an appetite for life.

Peanut definitely looks like that so you are still doing right by him. ;)

Would it be possible to give him and Neveah time to interact on neutral gound with your supervision as Peanut is physically not able to mount her right now and see how that goes? Especially if you have the time at home. It may help your mood as well and it may make a real difference for the two.

Normally, I would just recommend to have them in adjoining cages but in this case, I think you can go one step further; but as every face to face meeting is a bonding session from the guinea pig perspective, you have to be there.

If it goes well and your vet can confirm that Peanut is definitely physically no longer able to mate, one possible way forward would be for the two to live together without you having the stress of finding a new mate. Peanut still needs as much piggy company as Nevaeh...
 
Julezfm39 said:
Aww they are such sweet girls 🩷🩷. I have a one year old girl (called Nevaeh) on her own and I need to find a friend for her 💞

Thank you for your kind words ❤️. I still blame myself for choosing this boarder even though I had no reason to suspect she would cause this to happen 💔💔💔. She had excellent reviews. I don’t have any family nearby and one of my friends who would’ve looked after them, was on holiday in the same week. So going away (and only to Somerset!) for the first time in 7 years with my children, led to the death of two of my beloved boys and the one left can barely move from one place all day.

I know I should be kind to myself but it’s very hard when I wish I could turn back the clock 😢😢. I just hope that i can come to terms with this.. it’s only just over a month since I lost Biscuit and Shaun so it’s very raw 😞
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I understand, i had 2 piggies pass away 2 weeks apart. One died from complications of his long term stomach problems and one died of cancer. I was sat grief stricken and questioning whether i was a good owner or whether i could have done more for weeks,if not months afterwards. In reality i couldn't of prevented either and i eventually accepted it. I still cry thinking about my babies but it got easier.

Some vets have boarding for pigs. Are there any of those near you for future reference?

How was you supposed to know that this boarder was going to cause harm. You did your due diligence and unfortunately they let you and your pigs down. Karma will come their way eventually. Did you leave reviews to warn other piggie owners?

I hope you and your other pigs are doing well ✨
 
Wiebke said:
Thinking of you. I hope that it all goes well at your gp's.
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Thank you.. I’ve been really under the weather this week with my fibro. I’m at a low point. My GP signed me off sick for 2 weeks. Peanut really seems unwell. He’s not been eating today and his tummy seems very hard. I wish I could afford another vet’s trip but until I get paid I can’t 🥺. I’m not sure it would even help him though.
 
Wiebke said:
Just check the soles of all four feet for sores - long term immobile piggies are more prone to bumblefoot infections and they also need a brush to spread the oil from the grease gland over the coat and skin as part of their immune defence.

But a paralysed piggy that is still eating happily away is one that still has enough quality of life to have zest for life - or in the case of piggies, quite literally an appetite for life.

Peanut definitely looks like that so you are still doing right by him. ;)

Would it be possible to give him and Neveah time to interact on neutral gound with your supervision as Peanut is physically not able to mount her right now and see how that goes? Especially if you have the time at home. It may help your mood as well and it may make a real difference for the two.

Normally, I would just recommend to have them in adjoining cages but in this case, I think you can go one step further; but as every face to face meeting is a bonding session from the guinea pig perspective, you have to be there.

If it goes well and your vet can confirm that Peanut is definitely physically no longer able to mate, one possible way forward would be for the two to live together without you having the stress of finding a new mate. Peanut still needs as much piggy company as Nevaeh...
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Thank you for these suggestions. Peanut isn’t doing very well today. His tummy seems hard and I’m worried he’s got bloat as his appetite has decreased today. I’m going to massage his tummy and give him some critical care feed to see if I can help him. A vets trip isn’t possible as I just cannot afford another vets bill 💔
 
Wheekallweek said:
You can answer us as slowly as you need 😉
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Thank you ❤️ I’m worried about my sweet Peanut. He’s been ok this week but has been lethargic today.His tummy seems a bit bloated so I’m massaging it and giving him some critical care food with a syringe. He had his head laid on one side and I honestly thought he had gone 😢. I can’t get him to the vet again due to the cost. The boarder told me she would pay me the £521 i spent on vets and cremation costs but not until after Christmas! 🥺
 
Julezfm39 said:
Thank you ❤️ I’m worried about my sweet Peanut. He’s been ok this week but has been lethargic today.His tummy seems a bit bloated so I’m massaging it and giving him some critical care food with a syringe. He had his head laid on one side and I honestly thought he had gone 😢. I can’t get him to the vet again due to the cost. The boarder told me she would pay me the £521 i spent on vets and cremation costs but not until after Christmas! 🥺
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That's so unfair... I would tell her he needs to see the vet again, and you want her to cover the cost of this visit immediately otherwise she is allowing him to possibly suffer!

Poor little fella... How well does he take the critical care?
 
Wheekallweek said:
That's so unfair... I would tell her he needs to see the vet again, and you want her to cover the cost of this visit immediately otherwise she is allowing him to possibly suffer!

Poor little fella... How well does he take the critical care?
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Thank you. He’s had quite a bit of the critical care but he’s back in his cage and not moving at all. He’s nibbling on fresh hay right now. I’m going to reply to the boarder tonight. I’m very angry with her tbh!
 
Julezfm39 said:
Thank you. He’s had quite a bit of the critical care but he’s back in his cage and not moving at all. He’s nibbling on fresh hay right now. I’m going to reply to the boarder tonight. I’m very angry with her tbh!
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So am I - and I've never even met her! 😅 This is why these businesses should have to have insurance as a legal requirement, then you and her wouldn't be in this position. It's so irresponsible of her.
At least he's munching on some hay. I suppose it's quite an effort for him to get around so he avoids it unless necessary.
I wonder if his front legs are getting a bit sore from holding his weight up?
 
Julezfm39 said:
Thank you for these suggestions. Peanut isn’t doing very well today. His tummy seems hard and I’m worried he’s got bloat as his appetite has decreased today. I’m going to massage his tummy and give him some critical care feed to see if I can help him. A vets trip isn’t possible as I just cannot afford another vets bill 💔
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BIG HUGS

I cannot say how sorry I am to hear that. A hard belly is very worrying but acute bloating is something that paralysed piggies are sadly more prone to. :(

Here is practical care advice for digestive problems but once the belly is drum-hard, and especially if it is feels like concrete (that is for euthanasia/pts), you are really up against it.
Not your fault; it is just one of the nastier possible secondary complications - but considering that Peanut's health is already badly compromised, he is unfortunately more prone to it. :(
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

My heart is truly breaking for you and Peanut.
 
Wheekallweek said:
So am I - and I've never even met her! 😅 This is why these businesses should have to have insurance as a legal requirement, then you and her wouldn't be in this position. It's so irresponsible of her.
At least he's munching on some hay. I suppose it's quite an effort for him to get around so he avoids it unless necessary.
I wonder if his front legs are getting a bit sore from holding his weight up?
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Thank you.. I did reply to her as I couldn’t hold back and told her that it’s unfair to expect me to shoulder these costs when this whole situation was entirely preventable. I told her that I need to get Peanut back to the vet so I’ll see what she comes back with.

I feel right now that I’m letting Peanut down because I can’t keep trying different medications.
His little feet are fine but yes I think his front legs must be tired. He was sitting on my lap for a long time tonight and just resting his little head to one side. It probably took the weight off his legs too.
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I cannot say how sorry I am to hear that. A hard belly is very worrying but acute bloating is something that paralysed piggies are sadly more prone to. :(

Here is practical care advice for digestive problems but once the belly is drum-hard, and especially if it is feels like concrete (that is for euthanasia/pts), you are really up against it.
Not your fault; it is just one of the nastier possible secondary complications - but considering that Peanut's health is already badly compromised, he is unfortunately more prone to it. :(
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

My heart is truly breaking for you and Peanut.
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Thank you for this advice. I will read this now. His belly feels a bit softer tonight. I’ve given him just hay and nuggets instead of veggies. Plus I fed him critical care tonight. I’ll give him a bit more before bedtime. He’s definitely pooped less today.
Yes, Peanut is already in poor health, bless him. I love him so much and can’t bear the thought of losing him too 💔💔. He does have these spasms where his little body judders which must be neurological. My poor baby boy 💙😔😢
 
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