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Falling over?

lexi468

lexi468

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello all!

My male Guinea pig Mocho is acting kind of funny. He’s about eight years old (he’s a rescue so I’m not totally sure but I’ve had him for six years and I was told he was two when I got him). I noticed two days ago that his back left leg didn’t seem to be moving as well as it used to. Like it would kind of stick out for a longer period of time than his left when walking, if this makes any sense. Yesterday I noticed that occasionally (every 50th step or so) he would kinda trip and tip over a bit. At first I thought maybe he was dizzy but I actually don’t think this is the issue. I suspect some arthritis in that back leg is making it not fully functional at this point in his old age. He is pooping and eating normally. He does not seem to be in pain but we all know they hide it well. His bonded cage mate passed away a couple months ago from old age (official diagnosis heart failure at nine years old) but he didn’t have many health problems before he passed so I don’t feel like I have much experience in this area. I have made a vet appointment but I live in a rural area and there is only one exotics vet and she doesn’t have an appointment available until the 14th of this month. Is it more urgent than that? Any advice helps! Thank you!
 
I would possibly see a general vet sooner for them to have a check over, let them know you have an appointment with the specialist coming up and perhaps ask for a pain relief prescription. If he does have arthritis it will be painful but I am surprised he isn't sitting in his own wee as that is common with guinea pigs with arthritis around the back end. He maybe could have sprained it or it could be something neurological, it's likely the specialist is your best bet for getting to the bottom of it.
 
lexi468 said:
Hello all!

My male Guinea pig Mocho is acting kind of funny. He’s about eight years old (he’s a rescue so I’m not totally sure but I’ve had him for six years and I was told he was two when I got him). I noticed two days ago that his back left leg didn’t seem to be moving as well as it used to. Like it would kind of stick out for a longer period of time than his left when walking, if this makes any sense. Yesterday I noticed that occasionally (every 50th step or so) he would kinda trip and tip over a bit. At first I thought maybe he was dizzy but I actually don’t think this is the issue. I suspect some arthritis in that back leg is making it not fully functional at this point in his old age. He is pooping and eating normally. He does not seem to be in pain but we all know they hide it well. His bonded cage mate passed away a couple months ago from old age (official diagnosis heart failure at nine years old) but he didn’t have many health problems before he passed so I don’t feel like I have much experience in this area. I have made a vet appointment but I live in a rural area and there is only one exotics vet and she doesn’t have an appointment available until the 14th of this month. Is it more urgent than that? Any advice helps! Thank you!
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Hi

Please see a vet but not as an emergency; especially if the balance issues worsen over the coming days and you start seeing other symptoms emerging.

As you are in North America, it could be arthritis in he spine or a leg but it could also be the first symptoms of calcified bulla syndrome/encapsulated otitis media caused by a large percentage of sold US pet store guinea pigs sadly being infected with either respiratory bacteria (the most common source of CBS syndrome when they build up in the ear capsule) or skin parasites or fungal (ringworm); it can cause spells of vertigo/balance which should become more frequent and severe in the coming days if it is that.
Right now, we can only guess. The issue is much rarer here in Europe but we see more cases of e.cuniculi instead which can cause some similar symptoms. I would recommend to keep CBS in mind as a possible. Most vets are not aware of it; which is why I am pointing this out now.
You can find more information on CBS syndrome and neurological issues in this link here: CBS (Calcified Bulla Syndrome) and Neurological Problems - Symptoms and Care
 
I totally forgot to reply to y’all but we went to the vet last week. He has some arthritis and was prescribed Metacam. At first I didn’t really think it was working but now I can see he seems much better! No more falling over. I even recently found him in his bay bag! Lol! (Ignore the Metacam crusties).
 

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lexi468 said:
I totally forgot to reply to y’all but we went to the vet last week. He has some arthritis and was prescribed Metacam. At first I didn’t really think it was working but now I can see he seems much better! No more falling over. I even recently found him in his bay bag! Lol! (Ignore the Metacam crusties).
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Hi

Glad that is is only stiffness from arthritis. I would recommend to also give some oxbow joint care, seeing that you are in the USA. Again, it is not a quick fix but will make quite a difference in the mobility for a goodly while. Arthritis is a progressive issue.
 
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