Conditions HELP Mysterious Guinea Pig Leg problems

[SJP23.]

One of my guinea pigs has developed a mysterious problem with his front legs. At first we noticed he looked a little stiff on his legs. but then he was fine for a week or so. Then all of a sudden he stoped moving around and when he does try and move he seems unable to use his front legs properly. He is eating fine and we help him drink. The vet has given him painkillers and antibiotics but these have had no impact. An x-ray has confirmed that there is no break anywhere. The vet says that he has no idea what is wrong... anyone on here have any ideas or have heard of this before?
Thank you.

 

[VoodooJoint]

Painkillers and antibiotics for legs that don't work right? Did the vet say why he/she was trying that?

Did the vet check that Vit C levels are okay? Did the vet check for abscesses or tumors in the neck and/or jaw?

Please also supply more info. Such as: complete diet (kind of pellets, type/how much hay, veggies/fruit types and amounts per day), type of cage (does it have levels or single story?), type of bedding used, exercise given, are there children in the household? Other pets?

The more info you supply the better we may be able to help.

 

[SJP23.]

Hi, Thanks so much for replying.
The vet gave antibiotics in case of a break and therefore possible infection might have occured and painkillers to ease the pain. However he seems comfortable. He has a complete diet with added fresh fruit and veg and obviously hay. He is housed indoors with another male guinea pig in an appropriate cage - I have read all the rants about wire cages etc. The piggies are brothers and don't fight. The vet has not checked for vit c - I don't know how he would? What could I do in case of a vitamin c problem? And would this lead to such a severe problem? He has not been dropped/mistreated/mauled by another pet or anything else.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

The xray didn't show any tumors?

 

[VoodooJoint]

He has a complete diet with added fresh fruit and veg and obviously hay.

To help you figure out if it's possibly diet (scurvy) related we really need to know the exacts of what/how much you are feeding. Saying "complete diet" is too vague.

You won't get yelled at if something is wrong with the diet you are feeding. We just want to help insure that things get fixed if they need fixing.

There is no real way for a vet to check Vit C levels that I know of but since it *could* be scurvy the vet will often give a booster shot of Vit C to see if that helps get things on the right track https://www.guinealynx.info/scurvy.html

Of course it could be many different thongs and I think you may want to get a second opinion from another vet but I would like to see scurvy ruled out or treated if it may be the cause.

 

[SJP23.]

Guinea is fed on gurtie guinea pig complete food. Also has a variety of fresh food, such as peppers, carrots, cucumber, apple etc.
The x-ray showed no tumors and there is no obvious cause. It almost seems neurological becuase at times he does use his legs to prop himeslf up when we get him out to give him medicine. It is almost as if he can't co-ordinate himelf. I'm almost sure diet is not a problem and did lots of research before I got my piggies about a year ago. I'll ask about vitamin c when we see the vet next. I've never heard of a vit c injection, so thank you.
P.S The piggies name is Sir Thomas of Pig.

 

[VoodooJoint]

While I don't think it's the diet you are feeding there are some concerns in that department. Gerty is not a very good food. GPs should get a plain pellet with hay as the first ingredient. All of the seeds and colored bits are very fattening and cause tooth and jaw issues. As far as the veggies I assume you are feeding them every day although you did not specify. You also didn't mention leafy lettuces. Please read over this diet thread and see if you are feeding a balanced variety of veggies https://www.guineapigcages.com/foru...g-nutrition-charts-poisonous-plants-list.html

I think your best course of action will be to seek a second opinion. If you let us know your general location we may be able to help you find a cavy knowledgeable vet.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

How old is he?

Stiffness may be a sign he has arthritis.

Is he a satin breed? Some breeds are prone to OD.

 

[SJP23.]

Thanks for the diet tips. I'll change from gertie guinea pig asap. Yes I do feed leafy lettuces, although not the iceburg type varieties. They also get fresh organic veg from my garden at work when it's in season!
I'm miles away from you guys by the look of it... oxfordshire in the uk, so don't know if you'll know anywhere to go. I know a guinea pig fanatic (a vicar by the way!) and I think him and his wife are in touch with a guinea pig specialist. I'll look them up on Monday.
Thanks so much for all the support.... this site was invaluable when I got my piggies and am so pleased I posted om the forum about poor sir-Thomas. Any further help or ideas please please do reply to this post.

 

[SJP23.]

I forgot to say he's 1 year old.

 

[Peggysu]

I'm miles away from you guys by the look of it... oxfordshire in the uk, so don't know if you'll know anywhere to go.

We have many members on this forum from all over the world, I'm sure there is someone in the UK that can help you. If anything you can look at guinealynx and see if they have any recomendations near you.

 

[SpacePig]

Try the Cambridge Cavy Trust

British Association of Rodentologists Cambridge Cavy Trust

 

[SJP23.]

Hi again. Small update on Sir Thomas Of Pig. Thanks to Space Pig I have been in touch with the Rodentologists people, but so far no response. Tommy seems a little better, though still no rhyme nor reason to his illness. He is now moving a little more and seems a little more mobile. Today he came out to get fresh food when he heard the fridge open! He's still a very poorly pig though and seems very wobbly. So many people have been dimissive of his illness and think me and my boyfriend are crazy sepnding money on x-rays etc. So nice to meet fellow Piggy lovers on this forum and those who have been so understanding and helpful. Thank you. For now we're continuing our 4 hour monitoring of the pig. Fingers crossed.

 

[MaggieMae]

What breed is your guinea pig?

 

[SJP23.]

Ummm. He's just a regular pig I think. His brother is long haired and has pink eyes, although is not an albino. Tommy the poorly pig has black eyes and brown fur. At the back his fur can get quite long. Today I have wondered weather it might be something to do with his eyesight. However I'm probably just clutching at straws. Sorry if that seems like a bizzare answer, but I don't know his bread as such.

 

[SJP23.]

I have tried to attach a picture, re: what breed is he... Not very good at all this though... Brown piggy is the poorly Sir Thomas of Pig.

 

[SJP23.]

Hey again.
Further update on Tommy Pig. Vet thinks Sir-Thomas' illness is due to a lesion on his spine.... no apparent cause, just one one those things. Piggy is doing a little better, but not hugely. The vet says he may recover further or may not. So now we're faced with what to do if his quality of life doesn't improve. At the mo he is moving about a little when we get him out of his cage, is washing himself although not properly and has on a couple of occasions come and put his paws up on the side of his cage to beg for food. However he still spends most of his day hiding away. His movement seems a little improved... just hoping that he will keep improving.... Any suggestions on how we can help rehabilitate him or onquality of life would be most appreciated.

 

[Onetwo]

Have you tried posting your story on Guinealynx.info forum??? There are many people there and rescues that have dealt with almost every problem. There might be someone who can give you some info?

 

[SJP23.]

Thank you. I have just posted on the GuineaLynx forum.

 

[Peggysu]

Those are some cute pigs.

In that picture the nails look a little long and if they are trimmed it may ease some of the awkwardness of his walking.