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Suspected spondylosis (spine arthritis) and not eating

EmmaNorth

EmmaNorth

New Born Pup
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Jul 13, 2015
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Hi everyone, on boxing day we woke up to find our 4 year old female piggy with both back legs paralysed. She was pulling herself along on her front legs and otherwise acting normal except for she was not eating enough for herself and we started supplementing by feeding critical care as she has lost over 100g vs normal weight. We rushed her straight to our vet who is a very reputable exotic vet. Looking at an x-ray he suspects arthritis in her spine. We have been sent home with gabapentin and meloxaid. Gabapentin to hopefully reduce inflammation causing paralysis and meloxaid as pain relief. The vet advised feeding a minimum of 70g of critical care but we managed to feed her 90-100g on each of the last 3 days but her weight has not gone up (820g now vs 950 normal weight). She is barely eating for herself yet her back legs seem the tiniest bit stronger. We are so desperately upset as we were hoping she would eat for herself and get strong enough to use a wheelchair perhaps.
Does anyone have any experience of this sort of thing? We have read about miracle stories of pigs in wheelchairs but also are concerned about continuing to force feed her as she looks so unhappy. We just want to do right by her and I know our vet will help guide us to the right decision but I just wanted to know if anyone had any my insight or experience or advice for us?
She lives indoors with us, they have an open plan c&c cage to a herd of 8 ladies and are our pride and joy. She is currently in the penthouse, all to herself as we didn't want the others to bother her. All she does is sleep until we wake her for medicine/food. Any advice please do reply.
 
I’ve never come across the wheelchair option before? Even if that’s an option, I would presume you would still need to consider how much pain she is in and if she is happy enough?

I’m sure someone much more experienced than myself will be able to advise you.

it’s lovely to hear just how much you love your girl though. Thinking of you both 💕
 
I’m sorry your girl is unwell. If she’s not eating you will have to be a bit more firm when it comes to syringe feeding. Start weighing her every day at the same time. And aim to get 60-90ml of critical care in a 24 hour period. That equates to 5ml every two hours. It may be that she won’t necessarily gain weight but at least she will maintain. It’s better than her still losing.

With regards the rest, I’ve no clue I’m afraid. I’ve also not heard of the wheelchair option thing. At least not with guinea pigs anyway. All the best and I hope that he medicines will kick in soon. You’re doing a fine job ☺️
 
I have seen people on the forum who have experienced sudden back leg paralysis for a variety of reasons - known and unknown. In our case the front end was absolutely fine although the back end was completely floppy - we never found out what the problem was but unfortunately our girl suffered a secondary problem with an infected bedsore and in the end did have to be put to sleep. She didn't need a 'wheelchair' (if these can even work) as she just dragged herself around using her front legs! Everything had to be on the flat and within reach though. Her sore began on her hip because eventually her useless muscle wasted away and she always sat/lay on the same point but this did take a few weeks to happen and she was eating and pooping till the end. Your poor girl sounds like she's having a harder time of it but from what I've read of other people's stories some pigs do recover mobility (although it can sometimes take a few weeks) so it is certainly worth persisting with the feeding for now to give those meds time to take effect. Did your vet give you any idea of when you might see some change if it was going to happen?

This is a bit ignorant of me but if she is taking more than the 70g might she actually be full? Is she pooping OK? Maybe try offering a few favourite veggies at the beginning of the session when she has a bit more appetite. If she doesn't like the syringe will she take it from a spoon? Sorry I can't offer any further insight but good luck with your nursing task, whichever way she goes. It can be emotionally draining so don't forget to be kind to yourself too 💕
 
My Rainbow Piggy Christian suffered from back leg paralysis brought on by arthritis of his spine. Here is the thread if you would like to read it.

Christian was at emergency vet appointment this morning!.

He had a hefty dose of dog Metacam for 18 months (prescribed by the vet of 0.7ml twice a day for around a year and then I managed to gradually reduce it to 0.5ml twice a day on vets advice) and I was warned that it would probably shorten his life. I made the decision that I would rather he had a shorter life free of pain than a longer painful life. He passed over the rainbow bridge 5 weeks ago.
 
Thank you everyone for your help and support. We have called the vet this morning and are waiting for a call back. We want to ask if after 7 days of gabapentin (to reduce inflammation) and meloxaid (painkiller) we should be seeing an improvement. For the last 2 days she won't eat at all on her own and looks sad and is now breathing heavy. Our concern is that we are being cruel force feeding her critical care to sustain her weight as she now cries when we feed her and tries to bite us which is not in her nature. Its so hard to know what to do as we want to give her the chance to start to eat for herself and enjoy life but also don't want to be cruel and prolong pain if she isn't showing signs of improvement. I'm grateful to have such a good vet and support network on here. I will keep people updated in the hope that it will help anyone going through this in the future. Xx
 
I also can’t offer any help on the specifics of the situation, but wanted to offer support.
All you can do is by guided by your vet on the prognosis.
Sending lots of healing wheeks and best wishes
 
She's lovely. Sometimes they must wonder why we do what we do... but she knows you love her. When I had to support feed my last girl the best we ever got to was an uncomfortable compromise but she had a swallowing problem and developed a URI - presumably from inhaling some of the food I was clumsily syringing. After antibiotics she perked up (although sadly did not start to eat independently again). Hope you can get some clear answers from your vet because I think sometimes that it's not the bad news we dread to hear, it's the "I don't know". I'll be thinking of you 💕
 
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