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Guinea Pig Hind Leg Paralysis | Dragging Back Legs

Hind limb paralysis in guinea pigs is characterised by the dragging of the back legs, which appear floppy, while the guinea pig moves forward using his front legs. This condition can happen for different reasons from extremely serious to easily remedied.

There are three most likely causes of why your guinea pig’s back legs are not working:

Physical Trauma: Falls can lead to fractures in the spine or damage to the spinal cord, often resulting in hind limb paralysis. It’s worth noting that many of these injuries lead to nerve damage rather than an outright break in the spine. If it’s nerve damage, there will be some movement in the back legs. If there’s a fracture, the hind legs will show no movement. An x-ray performed by a veterinarian is essential to pinpoint the exact issue.

Vitamin C Deficiency: An essential nutrient for guinea pigs, a Vitamin C deficiency can manifest in various health complications, including dragging the back legs. More detailed information about vitamin C deficiency and how to treat it can be found in our article on scurvy.

Calcium Absorbency Issues: Symptoms of calcium absorbency problems include a weakness or wobbliness in the hindquarters, difficulty walking, and potential hind leg paralysis. In severe cases, the guinea pig may even lie on his side.

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Treatments

Treatments for hind leg paralysis vary drastically, depending on the cause:

guinea pig eating a yellow flower

Swimming therapy for physical trauma

Peter Gurney, a renowned figure in the guinea pig community, introduced swimming therapy as a potential aid for injured guinea pigs. Some have achieved complete recovery, while others gained improved mobility and quality of life.

Before attempting swimming therapy, it’s critical to seek a professional diagnosis from your vet and ensure it’s safe based on their assessment.

Here are the five steps Peter Gurney recommends:

  1. Wait a few days post-fall.
  2. Fill a deep bowl with warm water.
  3. Support the guinea pig with one hand and gently immerse him at an angle, ensuring the head remains above water.
  4. Repeat this process several times for the first session and increase the frequency in subsequent sessions.
  5. After the therapy, dry your guinea pig with a towel but not completely. This prompts the guinea pig to engage in vigorous grooming, an activity that exercises and strengthens the back muscles.
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Treatment for calcium absorbency issues

Both April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue in the UK, and Peter Gurney have suggested calcium supplements for this issue. 

  • April Lodge recommends giving one ml of Osteocare twice daily for two days, followed by one ml daily for three days. 
  • Peter Gurney suggests a high dosage of calcium supplement starting with 1ml twice a day for the first day, then reducing to 0.5ml twice a day for the subsequent two days. This and other remedies for guinea pigs can be found in his book called “Piggy Potions”.

Most guinea pigs show improvement within 24-38 hours and should return to their usual self within four days.

Professional Diagnosis

While the treatments mentioned can help, it’s essential to consult a skilled exotic veterinarian when dealing with such serious conditions. Self-diagnosis and treatment can be risky. Seeking professional advice on why your guinea pig is dragging his back legs will ensure the right treatment is prescribed.