Hamish - back leg paralysis

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Halva
Supporter in '10

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:43 am


Hi,
I'm writing on behalf of one of my mother's colleagueswho adopted two boars from a local rescue. She has had Hamish and Macbeth for around 4 months. They're brothers and around 1 year old.

Last night she was returning Hamish to his cage and he struggled and jumped. He hit his head and his side and has developed paralysis in his back legs, which I think points to him having damaged his spine.

She rushed him straight to the PDSA, who gave him an anti-inflammatory drug. I don't know what it was yet. They won't be cavy savvy vets so I have asked Rachelm to give me her vets contact details. I would give my mum's colleague my vet's number but I think Rachelm may know an even better exotic specialist.

In the meantime, I'd appreciate any recommendations people can give me. I think he has calmed down and is eating and pooping. I think he's definitely going to need an x-ray if he's not had one already and perhaps pain-relief such as Metacam. I have done a quick search on paralysis here but I am in work and they're pretty stricy and so I'm doing this on the sly so I haven't been able to be more thorough.

I'm really upset on S's behalf. She is completely dotty about her pigs and is absolutely devastated.

Many thanks, folks.

User avatar
Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:21 am


Yes on the xrays and metacam.

And I'd keep in a small, confined space.

He may recover - I do hope so.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:18 am


Ditto on the above. Make sure he stays dry, move him around if necessary, try different beddings to keep him dry. See Roxy Roller in reference forum if he does not regain some movement (which is certainly possible).

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rachelm

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:36 am


Hi Halva.

I am REALLY sorry if I sounded odd on the phone, I was phoning from the university library - I have had the worst of weeks with university work. I do not know if I am coming or going.

Have you had any luck with the vet I recommended? If you wish, you can ring me at home as I am back now. I will send you my phone number in an email.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:25 pm


Ditto Mum and Lynx. No guarantees, but he may indeed regain partial or full mobility.

User avatar
salana
GL is Just Peachy

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:37 pm


A cart may help him regain leg function. See pinta's post on Roxy Roller:

https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15475

klynne

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:07 pm


NO, on the Metacam, if he's recently had a steroid injection.

You cannot safely use them concurrently.

You need a vet to advise you on the interval needed to wait to use Metacam, which is an NSAID.

Her pig was most likely given Dexamethasone or similar.

If there is a chance for recovering mobility, that should help, and good she got the pig treated in a timely manner.

You mentioned she saw the pig hit its head. Were head/brain injuries ruled out? That can also cause paralysis.

User avatar
Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:24 pm


NO, on the Metacam, if he's recently had a steroid injection.
Good catch, Klynne!

User avatar
salana
GL is Just Peachy

Post   » Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:31 pm


Either steroids or NSAIDs are good for back injuries, but not both. So whichever he got, he should get more of that (but only for a little while with the steroids, as they have other effects that are not so great).

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rachelm

Post   » Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:38 am


Any news as to whether Hamish got to Birch Heath?

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cavykatie

Post   » Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:59 am


Oh poor thing, I hope he recovers with flying colors. Give your mom's colleague a hug from me, I think we all know what it's like to be frantic about a pets injury.

User avatar
Halva
Supporter in '10

Post   » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:37 pm


Hi, sorry not to get back to you. I am now in Texas on holiday - thank goodness for the world wide web!

Hamish is okay, except for his back legs. He's eating and pooping still and is being bathed very regularly because he seems to be incontinent. I am not sure if he went to the vets that we recommended but the consensus seems to be that he's bruised his spine and may recover mobility.

I am going to email the Roxy Roller info to my mum, and she will pass it on.

Thank you very much for the information.

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