Could use opinions on paralyzed pig

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Tue May 29, 2018 1:42 pm


We have a male, age approx. 5 1/2, who had a bad bloat episode several weeks ago. Fortunately there was no obstruction, and the bloat resolved itself with deep massage, heat and handfeeding. A couple of days after the episode, I noticed that Sammy was walking a little gingerly. After examining him, I found that he had a fairly large seminal plug, and thought that might have been causing some discomfort. Soaked his genitals and removed it; gave it a couple of days to see if his walking improved. Instead, though, he started dragging one of his back legs. I took him to the vet and she did x-rays and examined him thoroughly...could find no explanation for the paralysis. She suggested a round of Prednisone, which was done. After the round was completed (middle of last week), I noticed that the paralysis was now in both back legs, and he had started to drag both legs/feet.

Vet wanted to repeat the Prednisone, but I'm not seeing any improvement so far. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, and is eating and drinking fairly normally (although, obviously he's not moving around very much). I would think maybe stroke, but we've had stroke pigs before and the paralysis has improved or stayed the same vs. getting worse.

Nothing on the rads indicated anything wrong with his spine, legs, hip, etc., and he hasn't had any injury. Nothing unusual except for the bloat episode.

Any thoughts on this? I'm perplexed and feel bad for the little guy but am at a loss as to what would have caused it, how to treat it and how to make things easier for him from a mobility standpoint.

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Tue May 29, 2018 2:00 pm


I had a senior pig with a vitamin C deficiency even with eating foods that contained it. Maybe try some C supplements for a week or so and see if he has scurvy?

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue May 29, 2018 4:45 pm


I hope things improve for him. I think you may have read the Roxy Roller thread Pinta wrote for the Reference forum in case this persists.

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Tue May 29, 2018 9:00 pm


Would scurvy cause hind paralysis this extreme? We have had a few cases of vitamin C deficiency over the years, and it was more of a hopping or limping when they walked (these were new rescues). This is dragging his hind legs, with the feet sort of falling to the side. I wish I could post a video; I haven't seen anything like it except in a serious injury.

I'm going to try boosting C, though. He hasn't been eating a lot of pellets lately. I assumed he was getting enough C from his veggies, but maybe not. Still, would what I'm seeing be consistent with scurvy? It *seemed* to have started right after the bloat episode, but it could be a coincidence.

It's just very strange.

I remember the Roxy Roller, Lynx, thanks.

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Tue May 29, 2018 9:34 pm


I'm not sure about the hopping vs. dragging. I just know I'd have sworn that my pig was getting enough C, but she wasn't. Her symptoms, however, were hair loss and dull coat. I just think it might be worth a try to see if it would help your pig.

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Tue May 29, 2018 11:43 pm


Agree, thanks.

User avatar
Kimera

Post   » Wed May 30, 2018 7:59 am


There could be a problem with connectivity of his nerves. Vitamin B complex is usually recommended in such cases, along with more specialised neurological medication, if need be.

Clint The Cuy

Post   » Thu May 31, 2018 11:32 am


How did he get around prior to the bloat? Was there any hind end weakness at all or muscle atrophy? Were the radiographs reviewed by a radiologist?
Considering his age, arthritis is not uncommon. During the first round of Pred, did his paralysis remain static or did he improve?

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:00 am


He got around normally prior to the bloat, with no noticeable weakness. Rads weren't reviewed by a radiologist, but I'm not sure it would do a lot of good. The images were not all that great, but still didn't reveal anything obvious. There could be some arthritis, but it wouldn't explain that it was so sudden and appears to be largely bilateral (but more pronounced on one side).

No improvement on Pred that I can discern.

In a sad twist...his cagemate died suddenly last week of what turned out to be an undiagnosed mass in his abdomen.

Rough week.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:10 pm


I'm sorry you lost his cage mate. Must be hard on him too :-(

Renrutscavystud

Post   » Sun Jun 03, 2018 2:41 am


I would try seringe feeding him some crushed up vitamin C tablets in water as he may be a bit deficient. I’ve always found that to help my piggies! Good luck

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:06 pm


He is really not improving at all, and in fact is getting worse. His front feet seem to be working okay (for now), but the hind legs just drag along behind him. I'm having a very difficult time keeping him clean. I thought paper bedding would be more absorbent, but now I think I may need to switch to fleece. He smells bad; has mats of hair on his legs. I'm really struggling to make him comfortable and not lie in urine and feces all day because he doesn't move around much.

Right now, he's in a small cage. I did it after his cagemate died because I thought it would be easier for him to get to his hay, pellets and water, but now I'm wondering if he'd be better off having to use the legs to get what he needs. I'm just afraid that he won't, and then he'll either not eat or become dehydrated. This is just way out of my area of expertise.

Could really use some additional suggestions, here. :(

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