My Guinea Pig Limping

[Prasiddha]

hi friend!

Need immediately help. I have two guinea pigs named fluffy and icy. I assume both are female. Last month fluffy started gaining weight. Since I am a first time guinea pig owner I thought she is putting on weight. Last week to my surprise I saw three baby guinea pups running in the cage. Immediately I understood icy was the male and shifted him to a different place. Now fluffy lives with her three babies. This afternoon like always fluffy came out of her cage to be on my lap for a while and jumped back again to her cage. From the time she returned to her cage she is lifting her right back leg and walking. Only while walking she isn't using her leg. Otherwise she scratches herself with that leg. Even if I touch her on that leg she doesn't show any symptom of pain. Please help me. What could be the issue. I am feeling really worried.

 

[Wiebke]

hi friend!

Need immediately help. I have two guinea pigs named fluffy and icy. I assume both are female. Last month fluffy started gaining weight. Since I am a first time guinea pig owner I thought she is putting on weight. Last week to my surprise I saw three baby guinea pups running in the cage. Immediately I understood icy was the male and shifted him to a different place. Now fluffy lives with her three babies. This afternoon like always fluffy came out of her cage to be on my lap for a while and jumped back again to her cage. From the time she returned to her cage she is lifting her right back leg and walking. Only while walking she isn't using her leg. Otherwise she scratches herself with that leg. Even if I touch her on that leg she doesn't show any symptom of pain. Please help me. What could be the issue. I am feeling really worried.

Hi!

I am very sorry for your worry. Please take a deep breath; it doesn't sound too serious. She has likely twisted her leg somewhere - this can be from the hip downwards and is not necessarily located in the foot. As it is painful, she is putting as little weight on it as she can right now. If you are worried, please see a vet for some painkiller/anti-inflammatory.
Here are tips on how you can avoid mad jumps in transport: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

Please be aware that you need to separate any male pups at around 3 weeks of age; that is when they can start making babies.
It would be good if you opened a thread in our specially monitored pregnancy section for support with baby care, sexing and separation. As dad was still present in the hours after birth, there is also a certain risk that your mum may be already pregnant again; sows come into season within hours of giving birth. We can also help you to make acceptance of any male babies by their dad a bit more certain.
Guinea pigs are basically nonstop breeding machines as soon as they are weaned in order to make up for having the smallest litters and longest pregnancies of all rodents.

Here is a link to our pregnancy/nursing diet/baby care/sexing information: Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide

And this is a link to our new owners' helpful guides: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Prasiddha]

Thank you so much for your help. I live in India and there are no good exotic animal vets here. So I read in few more forum and found other guinea pig with similar issues. Those guinea pigs were prescribed with metacam and adequate rest. But my fluffy is breastfeeding her pups so it is difficult for her to take rest. Could I give her metacam? Is it advisable to give her when she is breastfeeding. I know since she gave birth in the night I am worried if she could be pregnant again. I separated her from icy as soon as possible. Yes as per your advice I will separate the male pups by 3 weeks.

 

[Merab]

Don’t panic - these things happen.
Congratulations on your babies.
Take the advice @Wiebke has given regarding the babies.
If you’re worried and have no exotic vet nearby then go to a general vet with the information you already have.
Many general vets can be good with exotics.
Anyway - welcome to the forum and we look forward to pictures and hearing more from you.

 

[Prasiddha]

Thank you for your advice. I will look for a good vet around. Sure will post pictures of my guinea pigs soon.
This is my guinea pig fluffy ... she is one limping now

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Congratulations on your babies! Sorry it is in unexpected and awkward circumstances.

I hope you can find a good vet to help your Fluffy. There is another member from India on here, @Soumyadeep , I know India is a huge country but there is a small chance that you may be in the same area as him and able to access the vet he has been using.

 

[Betsy]

What a lovely piggy Love to see baby pictures.

 

[Soumyadeep]

Congratulations on your babies! Sorry it is in unexpected and awkward circumstances.

I hope you can find a good vet to help your Fluffy. There is another member from India on here, @Soumyadeep , I know India is a huge country but there is a small chance that you may be in the same area as him and able to access the vet he has been using.

Unfortunately I am 6~7 hundred kilometres away from him. Can't help with local doctors.