Piggy seems to be limping.

[RosieLily]

Hi, hope you’re well.

Little Lily has a small limp. She is still very happy, moves around and comes out for her snacks like normal, but I can tell she is being a bit careful with her front paw.

Should I go see the vet asap or could it heal on its own? I have some Metacam syringes (prepped by the vet) in the fridge, although she doesn’t seem to be too bothered, should I give her a dose if it doesn’t go away in a few days? I don’t believe in medicating my pigs myself, but I’m fairly certain she would be put on Metacam anyway...

I’ve never had a limping pig before, only dogs and horses, with them it just went away on its own. I will definitely go to the vet if it’s more serious with little pigs, the problem just is that it’s very cold here and I currently have no car. But I will definitely get a taxi or find other means if I must.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Claire W]

She could have landed funny after a popcorn or she could have fallen from something (a hide?) and sprained it in which case it should heal itself in a day or two. You could always phone your vet and discuss giving her the metacam?

 

[RosieLily]

She could have landed funny after a popcorn or she could have fallen from something (a hide?) and sprained it in which case it should heal itself in a day or two. You could always phone your vet and discuss giving her the metacam?

That’s probably what it is, they have a ramp in their cage and they fly up and down that thing like bullets.

I cannot call my vet, so I’ve emailed her. She usually takes around two days to reply, unfortunately the clients can’t directly call the exotic vet :/.

I do worry, I don’t want my pig to be in any kind of pain..

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, hope you’re well.

Little Lily has a small limp. She is still very happy, moves around and comes out for her snacks like normal, but I can tell she is being a bit careful with her front paw.

Should I go see the vet asap or could it heal on its own? I have some Metacam syringes (prepped by the vet) in the fridge, although she doesn’t seem to be too bothered, should I give her a dose if it doesn’t go away in a few days? I don’t believe in medicating my pigs myself, but I’m fairly certain she would be put on Metacam anyway...

I’ve never had a limping pig before, only dogs and horses, with them it just went away on its own. I will definitely go to the vet if it’s more serious with little pigs, the problem just is that it’s very cold here and I currently have no car. But I will definitely get a taxi or find other means if I must.

What are your thoughts?

Hi!

Bad landings after a jump are pretty common. If the limp is only very minor and she is still happily moving around as normal, then it is at your discretion whether you want to see a vet during normal opening hours or not.

You have to be aware that the problem can affect any joint of the leg from the hip/shoulder down so you need to always feed the whole leg and not just the foot. You should see a vet promptly as soon as possible within 24 hours if a piggy is not putting any weight on the leg at all or if you notice a swelling or a very sore area somewhere on the foot/leg (could be a break or is a serious sprain).
Any limping is usually a sprain; the more severe ones can take several weeks to heal if they get aggravated repeatedly whenever too much strain is put on them during the recovery or later on.

I hope that this helps you?

 

[RosieLily]

Hi!

Bad landings after a jump are pretty common. If the limp is only very minor and she is still happily moving around as normal, then it is at your discretion whether you want to see a vet during normal opening hours or not.

You have to be aware that the problem can affect any joint of the leg from the hip/shoulder down so you need to always feed the whole leg and not just the foot. You should see a vet promptly as soon as possible within 24 hours if a piggy is not putting any weight on the leg at all or if you notice a swelling or a very sore area somewhere on the foot/leg (could be a break or is a serious sprain).
Any limping is usually a sprain; the more severe ones can take several weeks to heal if they get aggravated repeatedly whenever too much strain is put on them during the recovery or later on.

I hope that this helps you?

Thank you very much!

I made sure to very carefully feel everything from her toes to her shoulder. I will make sure to keep a close eye on her, currently she is sleeping on her right side, that should be a good sign, right? It’s her front right paw that’s causing trouble.

If it gets any worse then I will get my Lily to a vet immediately.

How do vets treat such things anyway? It looks minor to me but I’m still paranoid. What if it turns out to be a bad sprain or a fracture, how would she be treated?

I hope I’m not being trouble with my questions >.<.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you very much!

I made sure to very carefully feel everything from her toes to her shoulder. I will make sure to keep a close eye on her, currently she is sleeping on her right side, that should be a good sign, right? It’s her front right paw that’s causing trouble.

If it gets any worse then I will get my Lily to a vet immediately.

How do vets treat such things anyway? It looks minor to me but I’m still paranoid. What if it turns out to be a bad sprain or a fracture, how would she be treated?

I hope I’m not being trouble with my questions >.<.

Sprains are generally treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling and the pain. Breaks in guinea pigs are difficult to treat so restriction of movement and pressure on the leg is more usual. Breaks are thankfully rare compared to sprains in lively piggies.

 

[dabel101]

Hi! My guinea pig has also managed to give herself a limp somehow. How long did it take Lily’s to heal? Did you ever take her to the vet? Did you do anything specific?
Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, hope you’re well.

Little Lily has a small limp. She is still very happy, moves around and comes out for her snacks like normal, but I can tell she is being a bit careful with her front paw.

Should I go see the vet asap or could it heal on its own? I have some Metacam syringes (prepped by the vet) in the fridge, although she doesn’t seem to be too bothered, should I give her a dose if it doesn’t go away in a few days? I don’t believe in medicating my pigs myself, but I’m fairly certain she would be put on Metacam anyway...

I’ve never had a limping pig before, only dogs and horses, with them it just went away on its own. I will definitely go to the vet if it’s more serious with little pigs, the problem just is that it’s very cold here and I currently have no car. But I will definitely get a taxi or find other means if I must.

What are your thoughts?

Hi!

If she is not taking the weight off her paw altogether and is not hopping around badly, then it is highly likely just a mild sprain in one of the joints from the shoulder to the foot that should right itself within a few days. Twists and sprains are fairly common in lively piggies - all it takes is a bad landing after jump.

See a vet if you have any concerns whatsoever.

 

[RosieLily]

Hi!

If she is not taking the weight off her paw altogether and is not hopping around badly, then it is highly likely just a mild sprain in one of the joints from the shoulder to the foot that should right itself within a few days. Twists and sprains are fairly common in lively piggies - all it takes is a bad landing after jump.

See a vet if you have any concerns whatsoever.

Our vet prescribed some Metacam for her and she is perfectly fine now! She loves running and playing, I suppose she’s a little clumsy, that’s all

@dabel101 The limp was visible for 3 days, she also received Metacam for 3 days . I always call my vet when there’s an issue!

 

[dabel101]

Our vet prescribed some Metacam for her and she is perfectly fine now! She loves running and playing, I suppose she’s a little clumsy, that’s all

@dabel101 The limp was visible for 3 days, she also received Metacam for 3 days . I always call my vet when there’s an issue!

Thanks! She’s had the limp for about 4 days now, it has been improving but the swelling hasnt gone down, have called the vet and waiting to see what they say

 

[RosieLily]

Thanks! She’s had the limp for about 4 days now, it has been improving but the swelling hasnt gone down, have called the vet and waiting to see what they say

My Lily's paw never actually swelled up, I hope your vet can help you soon! Best of luck to your piggy ❤

 

[dabel101]

My Lily's paw never actually swelled up, I hope your vet can help you soon! Best of luck to your piggy ❤

Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks! She’s had the limp for about 4 days now, it has been improving but the swelling hasnt gone down, have called the vet and waiting to see what they say

If you have swelling at any point of the foot or leg, please see a vet promptly, as it indicates a more severe injury/potential break. Always compare the other foot if necessary in order to spot the difference.

 

[dabel101]

If you have swelling at any point of the foot or leg, please see a vet promptly, as it indicates a more severe injury/potential break. Always compare the other foot if necessary in order to spot the difference.

I’ve sent a photo to the vets and they have made an appointment for her tomorrow morning!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Good luck, hope you can get her sorted x

 

[dabel101]

Just came back from her appointment, i’ve made a thread about her prescription as i would like to double check it