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Limping - Interim Care

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PurpleyFish

New Born Pup
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Mar 31, 2021
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Warwickshire, UK
Hi, my guinea pig is limping quite badly. She's very reluctant to put any weight on her front left paw and is hobbling when moving and hiding it when still.

I will be calling the vet first thing but in the mean time what is the best way to treat this? Should I move her into a smaller space like her travel cage?

I've had a good look and can't see any swelling, redness or obvious injury. For a lot of the time when I was examining it she was unbothered but at another point squealed and tried to bite me so is obviously in pain - I just can't work out exactly where.

She's 5 and not particularly athletic so not sure how she would have injured herself! She's otherwise healthy and seems happy enough.
 
Oh poor little thing I’m sorry I can’t help you out but sending her lots of love and luck that she gets better ! Try not to worry I’m sure the vet will sort it ASAP 💕
 
Well she's a lot better today! Woke her up to check on her and in the short distance I could persuade her to walk to her food bowl she doesn't seem to be hobbling.

Hopefully a small splinter or similar that she's managed to get out on her own!
 
She's getting on a bit, bless her, and they can get a touch of arthritis. A vet appointment will still be important to check for injuries and prescribe painkiller/anti-inflammatories if she needs them to make her more comfortable. If it is arthritis, just have a look at her house to see if there are any modifications needed. For instance, my last old girl with arthritis tootled around OK but couldn't manage any sort of step. She stopped standing on her food bowl - you know how they put their front feet on the edge - so we got a lower bowl she could reach into more easily. We also lowered the water bottle as she couldn't reach up so well any more - and I put a water bowl in too. As she got very 'elderly' she got disturbed at night by one of her younger companions scurrying round so we actually split her off with bars at night and removed them in the day. Her lively friend chewed the bars to get through but my old girl just ignored her so I was happy that she was happy, if you know what I mean. Good luck!
 
PurpleyFish said:
Hi, my guinea pig is limping quite badly. She's very reluctant to put any weight on her front left paw and is hobbling when moving and hiding it when still.

I will be calling the vet first thing but in the mean time what is the best way to treat this? Should I move her into a smaller space like her travel cage?

I've had a good look and can't see any swelling, redness or obvious injury. For a lot of the time when I was examining it she was unbothered but at another point squealed and tried to bite me so is obviously in pain - I just can't work out exactly where.

She's 5 and not particularly athletic so not sure how she would have injured herself! She's otherwise healthy and seems happy enough.
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Hi

Just a bad landing or falling over can cause issues, especially if you have a ramp.

Please leave her in her normal surroundings. If she is still able to get around and her leg is not sticking out funnily, then she has likely not broken or dislocated anything and is more likely to just suffer from a bad sprain.

A painkiller/anti-inflammatory from the vet will help; who will also check the leg thoroughly.
 
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