What's Wrong With His Leg?

[GuineaPig24]

A few days ago, I posted a thread that was not as informative as I wanted it to be.

My Guinea pig's hind left leg is very thick towards the base of it, and he can't bend it as much as the other leg. He's perfectly fine with it and lets us touch it without any problem.

He's 4 years old so it could be something relating to age.

He still uses the leg and when laying down on my chest, he puts equal pressure on both legs. He just can't stretch that leg out.

Here's a picture of his legs. (Don't worry; the way I was holding him did not hurt him, and it was for a very short amount of time.)

I don't plan on taking him to the vet, because it really doesn't seem to bother him. If it gets worse, of course I'll take him.

It would really help to just know that it's probably nothing too serious, and I'd like to hear some opinions on the matter.

 

[gizzy]

maybe he is putting uneven presure down when walking,
this may not be visable to you, but it might be casing uneven wear ?

 

[Wiebke]

Please have the leg checked by a vet for problems in the joint or leg, including arthritis, misalignment of bones or an infection.
Does the thickened joint feel hot to the touch or is it painful/tender when you touch/manipulate it?

 

[GuineaPig24]

Please have the leg checked by a vet for problems in the joint or leg, including arthritis, misalignment of bones or an infection.
Does the thickened joint feel hot to the touch or is it painful/tender when you touch/manipulate it?

It's neither of those. Just really thick and bony. It feels exactly as his other foot's temperature. He's always had a little less mobility in that leg, but just recently I have noticed that it's gotten worse.

 

[GuineaPig24]

maybe he is putting uneven presure down when walking,
this may not be visable to you, but it might be casing uneven wear ?

When he walks, normally he'll walk on his toes, or he'll hop forward like a bunny. I have noticed that sometimes when he sits, his heel will only have the pressure on it, and his toes will be lifted off the ground. But, he's always sat like that, so I never thought about it.

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

If you have noticed it has gotten worse then it's time to go to the vet. What if you waited and then you took him in and the vet said it wouldn't have been as bad if you had done it sooner, whatever the situation that is what I ask myself

 

[DM030819]

Hopping is a sign of arthritis. One of my boars started hopping, so it took him to the vet for an x-ray. He had very progressed arthritis in his knees. He needed to take pain relief medication for the rest of his life. Once he had the med's he was happy and was able to walk almost normally again after a few days.

 

[Elwickcavies]

It could well be arthritis, which will be painful for him. Guinea pigs are very good at hiding illness as they are prey animals, so he may in pain even if he's not showing it much. I would definitely take him to the vet in order to check the diagnosis and get pain meds if needed.