Rescue pig Piglet
Today I took in a sad case--a classroom pig who is partially paralyzed in her back legs.
Two weeks ago a parent took her to the vet because she was dragging both back legs. The vet diagnosed scurvy, and gave her a C shot. A week later she went back and got another C shot and some Metacam.
She has a nice healthy coat, not the hair loss and dryness I've seen with C deficiency before. She hasn't had much in the way of veggies and greens until her vet visit. The parent who took her under her wing copied off the C chart of veggies from GL and has been giving her veggies highest in C.
The parent said that there is slight improvement in one leg. She does seem to be able to get it under her a bit, but the other one just drags. The foot itself looks a bit atrophied.
I have an appointment for an xray and exam with my own vet early next week. I'm thinking calcium deficiency (she's not a satin, though), injury, or arthritis. Am I forgetting anything? Injury because apparently the kids at the school weren't always gentle with her, and arthritis because of her possible old age.
She's been a classroom pet for 2 years, a parent had gotten her off of craigslist and gave her to the teacher. No idea of how old she is, but she's got that bony backside that could either be from age or malnutrition.
Two weeks ago a parent took her to the vet because she was dragging both back legs. The vet diagnosed scurvy, and gave her a C shot. A week later she went back and got another C shot and some Metacam.
She has a nice healthy coat, not the hair loss and dryness I've seen with C deficiency before. She hasn't had much in the way of veggies and greens until her vet visit. The parent who took her under her wing copied off the C chart of veggies from GL and has been giving her veggies highest in C.
The parent said that there is slight improvement in one leg. She does seem to be able to get it under her a bit, but the other one just drags. The foot itself looks a bit atrophied.
I have an appointment for an xray and exam with my own vet early next week. I'm thinking calcium deficiency (she's not a satin, though), injury, or arthritis. Am I forgetting anything? Injury because apparently the kids at the school weren't always gentle with her, and arthritis because of her possible old age.
She's been a classroom pet for 2 years, a parent had gotten her off of craigslist and gave her to the teacher. No idea of how old she is, but she's got that bony backside that could either be from age or malnutrition.
To add to Bethie's Therapy suggestion - When our scurvy pigs came home - one with severe joint issues. Our vet suggested warm water soaks in the sink, just enough to cover her joints and bend them slowly. Just like water aerobics for those with arthritis. She loved it! (GuineaPinny's Peachie also liked her aquacize!)
Talishan,
Yes, she does seem uncomfortable when being held, and even cried out a couple of times when moved. She didn't cry when I gently manipulated the leg, though.
I'm not handling her much until I get the xrays and see what's up. I forgot to check her teeth, though! I've had pigs with scurvy before who's teeth were all brown and chipped. I'll check later today.
Yes, she does seem uncomfortable when being held, and even cried out a couple of times when moved. She didn't cry when I gently manipulated the leg, though.
I'm not handling her much until I get the xrays and see what's up. I forgot to check her teeth, though! I've had pigs with scurvy before who's teeth were all brown and chipped. I'll check later today.
Okay, her teeth are nice, white, and strong. I really doubt this is a case of scurvy.
That leaves injury, arthritis (which could come with the injury, I suppose), and calcium deficiency. However, since it seems as though she can move one of the back legs, I'm leaning towards injury.
Yes, I will definitely let you know what we discover from the vet on Tuesday.
That leaves injury, arthritis (which could come with the injury, I suppose), and calcium deficiency. However, since it seems as though she can move one of the back legs, I'm leaning towards injury.
Yes, I will definitely let you know what we discover from the vet on Tuesday.