• 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

Dragging his legs

Dnicecar03

New Born Pup
Joined
Jan 28, 2022
Messages
4
Reaction score
2
Points
20
Location
Uk
2 days ago he started dragging his legs he has no pain anywhere as we’ve checked gently and he still doesn’t mind us playing with his back legs we did phone the vets they said to put him down or take him in for a check up but at the moment we can’t afford that I just wondering what can I do and does any know what’s up it can not be anything to do with his spine because he’s letting us stroke him up and down his spine also we’ve checked his back to make sure it isn’t and he dint cry or anything we are just very worried as we don’t want to loose him he’s our baby can anyone help
 
2 days ago he started dragging his legs he has no pain anywhere as we’ve checked gently and he still doesn’t mind us playing with his back legs we did phone the vets they said to put him down or take him in for a check up but at the moment we can’t afford that I just wondering what can I do and does any know what’s up it can not be anything to do with his spine because he’s letting us stroke him up and down his spine also we’ve checked his back to make sure it isn’t and he dint cry or anything we are just very worried as we don’t want to loose him he’s our baby can anyone help

Hi and welcome!

Please have your boy vet checked. Back leg paralysis can have quite a number of causes, from injuries to neurological issues to a sudden calcium drop. Not all causes do come with noticeable pain but after some notable home DIY diagnoses gone wrong, we do recommend to not home treat on spec.

Here is our practical care guide link for guinea pigs with mobility issues so you can make life easier for them at home but we cannot tell you what exactly is going on; that requires a hands-on examination.
Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

All the best!
PS: Many back leg paralysis cases will slowly and gradually revert either fully or at least get somewhat better again with the appropriate diagnosis and medication.
 
It doesn't sound like he's in pain so it would be a tragedy to put him to sleep when this could well be something he can recover from with the right treatment. But as Wiebke said there is a surprising number of things that can cause this to happen in piggies. Phone round a few vets to get their prices - a recent poster was shocked at a quote but because they'd asked how much for their pig to be seen asap they got the 'emergency appointment' price which was 3 times as much! Out of hours is also more pricey. Just ask for the standard price for a piggy consultation if he's eating and pooping normally for now. It always seems to happen at the weekend doesn't it. Good luck little man x
 
Yeah he’s eating a pooing fine he’s still his bubbly self and we are we are trying osteocare and see how he goes with that we’ve been recommenced that and yes they said to us £164 to see him than to hospital him would cost me and extra £200
 
Cripes! My vet is a general practice but they have some vets there who are good with pigs. Not sure where you are in the country but there is a vet locator on the green bar at the top where you can find recommendations in your area. From what people say you should be looking at between 30 and 50 for a consultation (this might have an extra 5 or 10 on top if it's the first time there and you have to register etc) but if you go to an 'exotic specialist' it can be a lot more. The general vet should be able to give him a thorough check over and suggest what first steps to try but also talk about what the next level of investigation might be. If they start talking about any procedures which require general anaesthetic or overnight care this will (1) be expensive and (2) be stressful for piggy so that is always an absolute last resort for me. For example, the last time I had a pig x-rayed I'm pretty sure it was around the £50 mark (and worth it because yes we did have a bladder stone). My vet wraps them firmly in a towel so they can't move and then does a quick pic. Some vets will want to anaesthetise piggy to keep them still and this in itself is a risk for small furries - it's a big deal for them and also pushes the price up a lot. They might want to x-ray your lad to check for fractures or something so it would be worthwhile when making your initial calls to ask about x-ray availability and technique. I might be jumping the gun here totally but a chat with the receptionist can prepare you if you've not been to the vet before. He is obviously much loved 💕
 
Cripes! My vet is a general practice but they have some vets there who are good with pigs. Not sure where you are in the country but there is a vet locator on the green bar at the top where you can find recommendations in your area. From what people say you should be looking at between 30 and 50 for a consultation (this might have an extra 5 or 10 on top if it's the first time there and you have to register etc) but if you go to an 'exotic specialist' it can be a lot more. The general vet should be able to give him a thorough check over and suggest what first steps to try but also talk about what the next level of investigation might be. If they start talking about any procedures which require general anaesthetic or overnight care this will (1) be expensive and (2) be stressful for piggy so that is always an absolute last resort for me. For example, the last time I had a pig x-rayed I'm pretty sure it was around the £50 mark (and worth it because yes we did have a bladder stone). My vet wraps them firmly in a towel so they can't move and then does a quick pic. Some vets will want to anaesthetise piggy to keep them still and this in itself is a risk for small furries - it's a big deal for them and also pushes the price up a lot. They might want to x-ray your lad to check for fractures or something so it would be worthwhile when making your initial calls to ask about x-ray availability and technique. I might be jumping the gun here totally but a chat with the receptionist can prepare you if you've not been to the vet before. He is obviously much loved 💕
He really is he’s mine and my girlfriends first pet and it’s breaking her heart and we are based in Manchester if it’s anywhere near I will give it a try 100% I’ll try get the money together just for him I want the best life possible for him! And we did talk to one vet and they said just to put him down and we really do not want to do that there’s a lot of fight left in our little guy he’s still his bubbly self
 
@Wiebke do we know any Manchester members who could be pinged about vets in that area? Or is the green bar link the best way forward...
 
@Wiebke do we know any Manchester members who could be pinged about vets in that area? Or is the green bar link the best way forward...

Most members from the wider area use the same vets for their piggies. If the poster wants more local recommendations, it usually best to start a thread because both out member and the vet scene is much more changeable than most people would expect.

This guide here explains the various levels of vet clinics and what they provide for their money. Unfortunately, medication prices have gone up a lot between Brexit tolls and the worldwide pandemic price rise; in addition, we are experiencing a massive vet shortage after lots of vets have returned to Europe due to Brexit - and it all coincides with a huge rise in pets due to the pandemic (and currently a massive dump, flooding rescues and free-ads).
There are unfortunately no cheap pets and that is only getting worse with every year. :(
A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.
 
What a relief! Keep an eye on him over the next week or so just in case. It's still worth trying to find a vet you are happy with at this point when it's not an emergency and getting him registered x
 
Hi, I am sorry to hear about your boy but for the vet to suggest putting him to sleep isn't right

The nearest exotic vet in Manchester is Ashleigh vets Ashleigh Vets or there is Cheshire pets which is my own vets referral practice if you can get there Cheshire Pet
I use Ashleigh vets and they are generally very good with guinea pigs and have 3 exotics vets at the practice in Chorlton. If your piggy is still not fully mobile i would take him there if you can.
 
Back
Top