hii, today my guinea pig fifi very unexpectedly and suddenly crossed the rainbow bridge. since then, gingernut hadn’t moved. i thought this was due to grief because they were close but when i went to see her, her back area was very floppy. her back legs look almost paralyzed and she cant walk, she drags herself with her front paws. her eyes look cloudier than usual and her body’s getting cold and vibrating a lot. shes eating (less), drinking (less), peeing and pooping and still has her curiosity and liveliness but less than usual. shes very lethargic and wont move (unless for food) from where shes laying after peeing or pooing so I'm cleaning it regularly to prevent infection. i also gave her willow which is a natural painkiller and arnica oil on her back area as well as arnica homeopathie. shes been improving since then which is great. i took her to the vets this afternoon too but he wasn’t a specialist, only saw her since it was an emergency. he couldnt give me a diagnosis because frankly he wasnt sure what he was doing. he did give reasonable suggestions though such as a fall or bacterial infection but their cage has been very clean and she couldnt have fallen from anywhere. I'm also really weirded out by fifi’s sudden death on the same day. fifi was’t feeling great about a month ago (general symptoms, lethargy, less appetite etc) but the vet said there was nothing wrong with her and she went quickly back to normal, although not as active but i think thats her age. i have 3 more guinea pigs but they all seem happy and healthy. I'm trying to get hold of an exotic vet but its difficult in my area. in the meanwhile, could anyone please advise me on what it could potentially be and how i can help gingernut? at the moment shes in a seperate cage wrapped in blankets with hay, veggies (high in vit c for her immune system) and water as well as willow. thank you xx
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potentiel paralysis
- Thread starter maelle
- Start date
Ramia
Adult Guinea Pig
My boy has back leg paralysis with an inner ear infection.
oh I'm so sorry! what do you do for him (asking in a what do i do for my piggle way)
Ramia
Adult Guinea Pig
He started walking again after a week and a half of antibiotics (baytril and doxycycline) and I wiped his bottom and feet twice a day.
Ramia
Adult Guinea Pig
Should be "had" back leg paralysis
If she is not eating as much/anything and is lethargic it is essential that you step in syringe feeding mushed pellets or a recovery feed such as oxbow critical care.
You must also switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh her each morning to ensure she is getting enough syringe feed and independently eating some hay to keep her weight stable.
Lethargy and eating less is a sign that something is wrong and you must step in with the emergency care if syringe feeding to keep the guts going properly.
I would also reunite her with her friends. Separating her will cause stress to her and further lower her immune system.
We can’t comment on what might have caused it as there are a few things so finding an exotic vet would be the thing to do
You must also switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh her each morning to ensure she is getting enough syringe feed and independently eating some hay to keep her weight stable.
Lethargy and eating less is a sign that something is wrong and you must step in with the emergency care if syringe feeding to keep the guts going properly.
I would also reunite her with her friends. Separating her will cause stress to her and further lower her immune system.
We can’t comment on what might have caused it as there are a few things so finding an exotic vet would be the thing to do
thank you so much!If she is not eating as much/anything and is lethargic it is essential that you step in syringe feeding mushed pellets or a recovery feed such as oxbow critical care.
You must also switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh her each morning to ensure she is getting enough syringe feed and independently eating some hay to keep her weight stable.
Lethargy and eating less is a sign that something is wrong and you must step in with the emergency care if syringe feeding to keep the guts going properly.
I would also reunite her with her friends. Separating her will cause stress to her and further lower her immune system.
We can’t comment on what might have caused it as there are a few things so finding an exotic vet would be the thing to do
okay thank youuu x
Hi and welcome
BIG HUGS
I am so very sorry about your loss and then being faced with a major emergency as well. From my own expeirences I know how hard it is. It is not your fault or failing. Coincidences do happen more often than we think.
Here is a bit more information about back leg paralysis (which can have quite a wide range of causes) and how to best care for piggies that are not moving around much. Make sure that your piggy is warm and comfy but not hot and can wiggle away if she is feeling too hot.
Please step in with feeding and watering support asap since hay makes over three quarters of the daily food intake.
piggieminder
Forum Buddy
I've linked our vet list in case it helps. I do hope you can find your poor piggy a good piggy vet quickly to get her the right treatment.
I've linked our vet list in case it helps. I do hope you can find your poor piggy a good piggy vet quickly to get her the right treatment.
thank you both so much, i had a look through the vet list earlier but unfortunately the closest on there is 1 and half hours away. i will take her there if she gets worst or no improvement but strangely she is getting better really quickly. everything about her is normal now she can even move quite quickly but her back legs are still slighty floppy so she drags them. it feels like a miracle i was so worried! i am still keeping a very close eye on her though and monitoring all her food, water, temperature, weight etc. and continuing with the holistic support like the arnica, willow and vit c supplements. hopefully she’ll be alright its just all so strange!Hi and welcome
BIG HUGS
I am so very sorry about your loss and then being faced with a major emergency as well. From my own expeirences I know how hard it is. It is not your fault or failing. Coincidences do happen more often than we think.
Here is a bit more information about back leg paralysis (which can have quite a wide range of causes) and how to best care for piggies that are not moving around much. Make sure that your piggy is warm and comfy but not hot and can wiggle away if she is feeling too hot.
Please step in with feeding and watering support asap since hay makes over three quarters of the daily food intake.
Sudden back leg paralysis is not uncommon, especially in older piggies. It is usually caused by a sudden drop of calcium for some reason. It is going to take a bit longer to reverse (several days to weeks) and in some it will never do so fully but these kinds of events are usually mystery one-offs.
Hopefully she will recover. More detailed information and advice is in the mobility guide link.
piggieminder
Forum Buddy
Fingers crossed she gets better very soon.
yes i am reading through it all now, seems quite likely that is could be that. i have also been giving her veggies that are naturally high in calcium and vit c like broccoli which i believe is helping
A short course of osteocare would be better because too much calcium for too long in the diet can cause stones.
However, please be aware that we cannot give any diagnosis sight unseen and that there could have been another cause for the temporary paralysis.
where would i be able to find a course of osteocare please? should that be done through an exotic vet?
i completely understand how this is not at all a diagnosis.
No, it is freely available online when you google. It's used for humans; don't go for the enhanced stuff.
ive had a look but i cant find anything. i searched ‘osteocare course guinea pigs’ it comes up with medicines, courses/diplomas and forums like this one.
You have to search for osteocare. There is nothing for guinea pigs. It is a human supplementary over the counter liquid.
