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Weak Back Legs

Leilalouise

Leilalouise

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 8, 2008
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Location
Blackwood, South Wales, UK
Hi, I could do with a bit of advice. My approx 5 year old neutered boar, Gibbs, has had progressively weak back legs for a few weeks. He has always been a bit lazy and so I didn't notice anything wrong initially (in retrospect he has been slightly less mobile for probably about a month). He is now dragging them behind him frog-style for much of the time (mostly the right leg and occasionally both) though he can walk on them, albeit on the heels of his feet rather than his toes. He was at the vet last week and on examining his legs the vet suggested there was a 'popping' in his left knee joint but couldn't find anything else significantly abnormal. Metacam was prescribed and Gibbs is due back for review next Tuesday. The Metacam may be helping but I can't really see a huge difference. I have been checking his bits regularly and apart from the odd 'stuck' poo he has been clean but then last night and again this morning, when I picked him up he seemed to be dribbling either boar glue or urine and several poos were stuck. He is otherwise healthy, happy, eating well (with cut up veggies and top-up syringe feeds due to minor teeth issues) and has lost only a few grams in weight. I do think though that he is beginning to look bony from his lower waist down and you can now feel his hips. I know he is an older pig and on searching the forum, the cause for his dodgy legs could be a number of things. I've increased the amount of veggies containing vitamin C to give him a boost but otherwise I wouldn't attempt to treat him with Osteocare or anything without vet advice first. My question is this - assuming the vet finds nothing seriously wrong with him on Tuesday, how long is it fair to keep him with his legs progressively failing? He is bedded on fleece so I can keep him comfy and I love him to bits and obviously would like him to stay with me forever but if he can't get around, is this fair to him? The reason I ask is I have a friend with MS who is bed-bound and she keeps telling me being like that is a living prison. I wouldn't want to inflict this on Gibbs, when we have the choice not to but neither do I want to jump in too hastily. Anyway, I'm waffling now. Hopefully this all makes sense and thanks in advance. x
 
I'd give the vet a call to see if you can increase his Metacam dose. Does he have it once or twice a day?

Only you know the answer on when it's time. As long as they are healthy and happy then I let the pig decide. I had a pig who lost the use of his back legs when he had a stroke. He couldn't move around except turning in circles but he loved his food and he was also bright and happy when he came out of his cage. When things changed then I let him go.
 
Thanks for the replies. Gibbs is on Metacam (dog strength) 0.2 ml once daily so I will ask the vet about splitting the dose. He seems to be happy & chirpy, his weight is varying by only 20g so he is obviously not too worried by his lack of movement. Yesterday he spent the day in the outside hutch for the first time this year and he was so happy chortling about in the sun with his girls. Will see what the vet says on Tuesday but not Gibbs' time yet I think. x
 
What weight is he? I always split medication to twice a day due to their fast metabolism. 0.2 once a day seems quite low so you could always see about increasing it and splitting it :)
 
HELLO. We have a piggie called Cocoa she's the runt of the herd.
Her back legs are arthritic and have been for ages she walks and runs frog style and it's never bothered her at all. I'm sad seeing the others jump out hay trays and takes Cocoa extra step or two and she struggles a little gettin into her cube etc but she's fine and gets on.
 
Hi all, sorry not been around for a while. Am so upset, my poor old man Gibbs went to Rainbow Bridge today. After my last post his legs improved on Metacam, (increased up to 0.3 ml twice a day) & he seemed happy. A few months later he developed what we thought was a cyst under his chin but biopsy showed it to be a melanoma. Vet suggested most likely spread had already occurred and so we decided to watch & wait, medicate as needed and spoil him. He’s been with us much longer than initially suggested and both vet and I were upset today when making the awful final decision. How is it that some Pigs just get under your skin? Gibbs was very special. Am so grateful to Suzy at Glynneath GPR for introducing us. RIP old man. xE555DF98-1E8C-419E-8BC8-2853075263EE.webp
 
I’m sorry for your loss. You did all you could and I’m glad you had the extra time. Hopefully the memories will help soothe you. Run free Gibbs
 
So sorry for your loss.
Gibbs had a lovely life with you and he will leave a hole in your heart.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
Oh no sorry to hear about Gibbs.
You like I had a poorly piggie that needed a lot tlc and meds. I spent hours looking after Cocoa and she repaid me with 6 months extra.
in that time my personal life was destroyed and i was very low but that piggie gave me a reason to look after her. I did and I'm proud to be able to remember what we went thro together.
That's why piggies get under our skin because they show true lolayity. x
Gibbs find Cocoa in Rainbow World and have a good squeak at us soppy humans. x miss you guys
 
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