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What could be wrong with Ben?

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Thanks everyone. Positive news this morning. Ben's managing to stagger his way to the water bottle. Yesterday I had to take the water bottle to him! His appetite is fantastic. He's always loved his food! I am going to try and get the Osteocare today. He's still got a long way to go, but the improvement I'm seeing is beyond anything I could have hoped for! It's hard to believe now that on Sunday afternoon I was 100% sure he was on his way to Rainbow Bridge!
 
I hope Ben starts to use his legs again soon. I know what it's like when they lose the use of their back legs. It happened to Ginger. Have you tried Potter Tabritis for the stiffness? You can buy them in Boots. :)
 
Great that he is improving after such a difficult couple of days.

Something that may - or may not - bear any relevence is an anecdote about our dog. Bosun, our elderly Shih Tzu (he lived to 17), had severe arthritis and had episodes where he would lock his legs, almost solidify his whole body, and cry out. It was usually after he'd slept. It was almost like a cramp, where all his joints just seized up severely and he couldn't move. Massage, warmth and comfort helped ease it off and bring him round. We never did find out exactly what those episodes were, but we are certain it was focused on his arthritis.

While this is a long way from what Ben is going through (who is, after all, a guinea pig and not a dog!), Bosun's episodes did tie in with his joint and mobility issues. Overall it's not unfeasable to think that Ben's current issues are related - however little - to the usual stiffness in his back legs.
 
It's interesting that you say that, because when I first picked him up his whole body felt rigid. I know this sounds horrible, but I could only compare it to how they feel when rigor mortis sets in. He seemed in a tremendous amount of pain too! It does make you wonder.
 
The improvement is amazing! Yesterday he was completely flat on his back end and today he is getting around, not as quickly as before, but definitely getting there. I just opened a plastic bag and he thought I'd got food and he was straight over to the bars, and even looked as if he was thinking about standing up the bars (something he hasn't done for a long time). I'm so happy!
 
Great update! Did you do/give anything or was it just a sudden improvement?
 
Just caught up with this-poor old Ben! so glad he seems more himself today x
 
CCC4 said:
Great update! Did you do/give anything or was it just a sudden improvement?
Click to expand...

The improvement started after I had given him a warm bath and he had moved his legs around in the water. He's also having metacam daily. He started on the Osteocare yesterday and he's looking much more his old self! He's always loved his food and he's really tucking in to whatever I give him!
 
Aww pleased to hear is making progress bless his little heart.

Thinking of you both

x
 
Ben is doing fantastically well. Pretty much back to his old self. His back legs seem really strong now, although still a bit stiff. He's always been quite a laid back little man. He used to have an armchair that he would snooze in all the time. I took it away when Patch chewed it, and Ben got his leg caught in it. I felt quite mean taking his chair away because he did love it so much. As long as he has plenty of food and can potter about, he seems quite happy with life.
 
That is wonderful news! maybe it was arthritis and his joints are more mobile now-bless him x
 
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