HELP my guinea pigs can't seem to walk/dragging her feet

[currynugget]

Hi all,

All was fine until tonight when I came home and I noticed when my guinea pigs wasn't excited when I came home (she usually will start wheeking). When I found her, she was laying flat with her legs lay back (looked like she was resting but apparently she wasn't).

I weighed her and she is 600g, she's usually 680g. I tried put her on the floor to see what was wrong and she could walk but she was literally dragging both her legs. Most of the time her back legs would go back to the position where they were laying flat every time she was walking.

I gave her some kale, looks like she still has appetite but not as big as usual. She's eating slowly right now. She's also been sleeping mostly all day today so I don't think she injured herself.

t's been a very hot day today, could it be heat stroke?

I'm very worried, anyone has any idea what's wrong with her?

 

[Bill & Ted]

Oh so sorry what an awful shock for you to come home to. I’ve now experience if this but I have read about piggies dragging there back legs for various reasons. I would get her to the vets immediately if you can. It can be caused by arthritis, injury and strokes along with other things possibly heat stroke
Only a vet can investigate and diagnose really
Hope she’s alright again soon x

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.
Please do get her to the vet.
Also, switch to daily weight checks and step in with syringe feeding.

Ive added our emergency guide and hot weather guide below to help you

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

 

[weepweeps]

I hope the vet can find out what is wrong with your piggy. Good luck.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

All was fine until tonight when I came home and I noticed when my guinea pigs wasn't excited when I came home (she usually will start wheeking). When I found her, she was laying flat with her legs lay back (looked like she was resting but apparently she wasn't).

I weighed her and she is 600g, she's usually 680g. I tried put her on the floor to see what was wrong and she could walk but she was literally dragging both her legs. Most of the time her back legs would go back to the position where they were laying flat every time she was walking.

I gave her some kale, looks like she still has appetite but not as big as usual. She's eating slowly right now. She's also been sleeping mostly all day today so I don't think she injured herself.

t's been a very hot day today, could it be heat stroke?

I'm very worried, anyone has any idea what's wrong with her?

Hi

Please see a vet as soon as possible as an emergency; heat stroke or exhaustion can be the cause or have played a role.

It also affects the heart and the digestive system (partial or full GI stasis), so you need to make sure that you give all the medical vet and home care support in the coming days. However, there are lots of other things that can cause sudden back leg paralysis.

In addition to the crucial links in @Piggies&buns ' post, here is practical care information for guinea pigs with mobility problems, which should always be vet checked as well.
Our hot weather guide also contains tips to keep your piggy as safe as can be during a vet trip in hot weather as well as information on possible home measures and how to spot signs of heat stroke or exhaustion:
Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

All the best!

 

[VickiA]

Please have her seen by a vet as soon as you can.