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Hi y'all I need help šŸ˜„

Fluffybutts

Fluffybutts

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

I haven't been on here in awhile my piggies have all been well I took them to the vet and got two on antibiotics and I saw good results in both , but one of my pigs is showing signs from before that are returning and I'm really concerned for her she doesn't seem to move at all she sits in the one spot and won't move and when she does move she cries and when I pick her up to, it's making me feel so sad seeing her like this out of all my pig's she's the most affectionate and loving one
 
P.S she's eating and drinking ok I have to hand feed her and give her drink because she refuses to get it and won't move.
 
helen105281 said:
You will need to get her back to the vets, what was it that was wrong previously?
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She had mites it was only two pigs that I had that had it both had treatment for it and it did wonders , though my guinea now seems like her condition is coming back as she looks like she's missing her hair again šŸ˜„
 
That sounds a bit different to the mite treatment we have here. Do you know if it was Ivermectin? was it drops to the back of the neck? In the UK our vets treat either by injection or spot on (on the back of the neck) and it is once a week for 3 rounds, sometimes 4.
 
It was a medicine they gave me to give her and it was through a syringe in the mouth she swallowed, I did use a spot on I bought but it never seemed to work on her
 
It is possible to give Ivermectin orally so it may have been that. I would go back to the vet though and explain that the symptoms have returned.
 
I'm worried because she doesn't seem to be walking and she cries when I pick her up
 
It may be something completely unrelated then, are you able to get her to the vet today, if she can't walk and is crying it is an emergency.
 
helen105281 said:
It may be something completely unrelated then, are you able to get her to the vet today, if she can't walk and is crying it is an emergency.
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I tried today but it's a holiday and no vets are open here not even for emergency until tomorrow
 
All you can do is keep her as comfortable as possible and make sure she can access both food and water without having to move.

But despite being a public holiday there must be an emergency vets open somewhere.
If you call your local vet (the one you normally use) there should be details of who to contact in an emergency.
At the very least you could call them and ask if she could be seen and how much it would cost.
 
Update: I took my guinea piggy to the vet and they were really helpful they put her on more antibiotics and mite treatment I told him my concerns and he said I shouldn't be worried about her weight unless she puts more on, it's been a couple of weeks now and she's still continuing to walk weird before it was normal now she's dragging both her back legs along?!?! šŸ˜¢ what do I do I'm concern
 
If she is dragging her legs you need to go back to the vets? there could be any 1 of a number of reasons. Do you have a vet that is a bit more experienced with guinea pigs that you are able to get to?
 
The vet I see does guinea pigs and is closets to where I live I don't drive so it's harder for other places because I'd have to take her far on the train
 
Ok, I think you need to go back to them then and explain that she is dragging her legs. They will need to investigate why and possibly do some xrays or scans.
 
Update my guinea piggy punk is still Showing these signs I went back to the vet they told me they think it's a spinal issue but there not sure as to what exactly, it's really sad seeing her like this ,

they referred me to a exotic vet it's a bit far but I'm taking that chance as I want to get to the bottom of this issue I also want to see her acting like her happy piggy self I'm hoping they don't suggest I put her down as it would be to hard to bare. šŸ˜¢
 
That's good you are seeing a more specialized vet, hopefully they can give you some answers. If they do suggest PTS just think of it as the kindest thing you can do for her. A pig needs to be able to do all things piggy and if they can't do that they have no quality of life. See what the new vets says though, they may be able to suggest some treatment.
 
Your piggy urgently needs to see a more experienced vet!

Dragging the hinds legs is serious and NOT a complication of mites - it is rather likely that the recurrance of mites is a complication of an underlying problem that is lowering the immune system. :(

The importance of support feeding an ill guinea pig that is not eating fully
Are you monitoring her weight and food intake daily? Over 80% of what she eats should be unlimited hay, so you can't judge it by eye. Veg and pellets make less than 20% of what she should be eating.

A guinea pig that is not eating enough is a dying guinea pig as its guts will slow down and eventually close down. While you can ignore the food intake in dogs and cats for a little while you CANNOT do this in guinea pigs and rabbit because their digestive system can close down, which is fatal. :(

Please step in with syringe feeding fibre and offering water and weigh daily at the same time to make sure that you are feeding enough. You can use mushed pellets in an emergency as long as you cut off the tip of a syringe as shown in the guide to allow the fibre to come through.
A healthy adult guinea pig eats the equivalent of 120 ml in solids in a day. You want to get at least 60 ml into a guinea pig that is not eating fully to keep the guts going over the course of 24 hours.
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Guinea pigs need to digest their food twice. If your piggy is not able to pick up the poos it is eating for the second round (caecotrophs) it is getting even less nourishment and will get weaker even more quickly. :(

How to care for a guinea pig with mobility issues (does NOT replace a vet visit):
- please clean the area it is mostly sitting in 2-3 times daily. Replace all cosies twice daily to prevent your piggy sitting in its own pee and poo.
- Gently wash the front paws, belly, genitals and back legs with a damp rag once daily to prevent urine scald and foot infection. Check the underside of the weight bearing front paws daily for signs of bumblefoot (foot infection) from the added pressure of not being able to take the weigh off them without the help of the back legs.
Guinea Lynx :: Pododermatitis
Guinea Lynx :: Urine Scald
- Place hay close by and offer water regularly by syringe.

There are a number of things that can cause back leg paralysis which have very different causes. You cannot home treat on spec. it requires an experienced vet to determine the cause of it. If there is suspected problem with the spine, then your piggy requires an x-ray.
 
Thanks so much for your support and help everyone it really means alot but unfortunately my guinea pig passed away today I did everything I possibly could for her and loved her dearly which was really hard for me and still is I keep going in to see her expecting her there but she's not its really sad she meant the world to me and was one of a kind
 

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So sorry for your loss.
Look after yourself now and take time to grieve for your little beauty
 
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