Weak back legs

[LlamaPatronus]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place, as it is related to an illness but is more about me being upset about it.

This morning, when I got my piggies out to clean their cage, I noticed that my (almost) 2 year old boar was very wobbly and unstable on his back legs. I phoned the vet straight away and booked an appointment that was a few hours away, in the time between then and the appointment I moved my pigs inside and wrapped Fred up in a blanket, but he soon wriggled out of it and over to the treats to eat. He was seeming his normal self all apart from his back legs being very weak.

The vet gave me some pain killers and said it could either be caused by a brain event (because he is showing no signs of being in pain, still eating a lot and pooping a lot), or it could be that he hurt his lower back and it will get better.

Because he is still eating and pooping it makes me think that this is the new normal for Fred and it breaks my heart. There's so much stuff he used to love doing that he might not be able to do now, like climbing up the ramp to the second story of his little wooden hide house, and greeting me in a morning with his front feet up the side of his cage to get closer to the pea flakes.

Although he's still eating okay and chatting away to his sister, it still upsets me that he's going to be changed, he loves running around and popcorning and now I won't be able to see that again.

Again, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place or if it's not with the rules or anything, I just kinda wanted to pour my heart out and see if anyone has had a similar situation and if there's any hope for little Fred? Or if anyone has any tips on how to make him more comfortable?

 

[Poppy'sMum]

It sounds like he could of fallen off the ramp maybe? If he has then it could take a few days or even weeks for him to recover. Meanwhile I would ensure the ramp has sides attached or remove it completely to prevent further injury.

 

[Wiebke]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place, as it is related to an illness but is more about me being upset about it.

This morning, when I got my piggies out to clean their cage, I noticed that my (almost) 2 year old boar was very wobbly and unstable on his back legs. I phoned the vet straight away and booked an appointment that was a few hours away, in the time between then and the appointment I moved my pigs inside and wrapped Fred up in a blanket, but he soon wriggled out of it and over to the treats to eat. He was seeming his normal self all apart from his back legs being very weak.

The vet gave me some pain killers and said it could either be caused by a brain event (because he is showing no signs of being in pain, still eating a lot and pooping a lot), or it could be that he hurt his lower back and it will get better.

Because he is still eating and pooping it makes me think that this is the new normal for Fred and it breaks my heart. There's so much stuff he used to love doing that he might not be able to do now, like climbing up the ramp to the second story of his little wooden hide house, and greeting me in a morning with his front feet up the side of his cage to get closer to the pea flakes.

Although he's still eating okay and chatting away to his sister, it still upsets me that he's going to be changed, he loves running around and popcorning and now I won't be able to see that again.

Again, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place or if it's not with the rules or anything, I just kinda wanted to pour my heart out and see if anyone has had a similar situation and if there's any hope for little Fred? Or if anyone has any tips on how to make him more comfortable?

Hi! How old is Fred?

Sudden back leg paralysis caused by a sudden drop in calcium does happen in older piggies. Most recover from it eventually, but it is a fairly slow process. How piggy savvy is your vet and have they considered this?
Generally in that case, osteocare is used by vets.

Spot clean the areas he is sitting/lying in regularly, change any cosies daily. Check his bum and the underside of his feet (especially his weight bearing front feet) regularly and keep them clean with a baby warm water bum bath and wipe daily to prevent urine scald, poos stuck to the foot and foot infection.
Make sure that he can get at hay and water easily.
If you can switch to vetbed bedding, that is the best surface for guinea pigs with limited mobility.

All the best for a good recovery.

 

[LlamaPatronus]

Hi! How old is Fred?

Sudden back leg paralysis caused by a sudden drop in calcium does happen in older piggies. Most recover from it eventually, but it is a fairly slow process. How piggy savvy is your vet and have they considered this?
Generally in that case, osteocare is used by vets.

Spot clean the areas he is sitting/lying in regularly, change any cosies daily. Check his bum and the underside of his feet (especially his weight bearing front feet) regularly and keep them clean with a baby warm water bum bath and wipe daily to prevent urine scald, poos stuck to the foot and foot infection.
Make sure that he can get at hay and water easily.
If you can switch to vetbed bedding, that is the best surface for guinea pigs with limited mobility.

All the best for a good recovery.

He's a rescue, but the RSPCA told me a birthday that would mean he is just under 2 years old. But he did have a rough early life (he was rescued with 40 other boars, so likely didn't get enough food and their would have been a lot of fighting - he had a bite mark on his back that goes bald when he's stressed), so could that have prematurely aged him? The vet today did make a comment saying he looked older than 2, and that's got me really worried because I was hoping I had a good few years left with him but maybe not

The vet seemed very pig savvy, it's the first time we've seen this vet but I was very impressed, so maybe she just didn't consider this because of how young he is.

Is there anything I could do in case it is this? Or would I have to take him back to the vet?

Thank so much for the advice!

 

[Wiebke]

He's a rescue, but the RSPCA told me a birthday that would mean he is just under 2 years old. But he did have a rough early life (he was rescued with 40 other boars, so likely didn't get enough food and their would have been a lot of fighting - he had a bite mark on his back that goes bald when he's stressed), so could that have prematurely aged him? The vet today did make a comment saying he looked older than 2, and that's got me really worried because I was hoping I had a good few years left with him but maybe not

The vet seemed very pig savvy, it's the first time we've seen this vet but I was very impressed, so maybe she just didn't consider this because of how young he is.

Is there anything I could do in case it is this? Or would I have to take him back to the vet?

Thank so much for the advice!

He is a bit too young for calcium drop paralysis; it happens generally in guinea pigs over 4 years of age. If your vet is competent, they will have been able to exclude it.

As long as your boy has a zest for life and for his food, then he has still got quality of life and you can still enhance it by sensuary enrichment (smells, tastes, cosies, toys to work his way into like veg filled paper bags (any handles cut), hay filled toilet roll inners etc). Piggies don't have a concept for longevity, they measure their lives in happy todays.
Guinea Pig Toys

Unfortunately a bad gene in a several generations inbred group can cause problems.

You just have to play it by ear in this case.

 

[Wheekallweek]

We currently have a piggy in the rescue called Bugzy; some of you may be familiar with him @The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue!
He was injured by a rabbit so we know what caused the weakness in his back legs but he still has a great quality of life so don’t give up! The symptoms may get better in time; if not, provided he can move around reasonably well and still has an appetite I’d not worry too much.
Good luck to you and Fred from Bugzy!