Our guinea pig, Brownie, had a short fall a couple of weeks ago. We took him to the vet and they did xrays. Nothing was broken, but he did have a spinal injury, in that it was out of alignment. He lost the use of his hind legs the next day and was just dragging himself around. We did anti-inflammatories for 5 days and several rounds of laser/light therapy. He quickly regained the use, at least partially, of his right rear, but the left rear has had very little movement. The accident was 2.5 weeks ago. I did notice him starting to pull left leg up under him last night, ever so slightly on occasion. He is eating and drinking very well and actually quite mobile, just scooting along. His spirits seem high. No signs of pain that I can detect.
I wanted to find out as many specifics as possible from those of you who have done hydrotherapy and/or physiotherapy following these symptoms. I have read most of the forums on the topic on the site, and want to start some PT to aid in his recovery and learning to use his legs again, but felt that I needed a little more step by step instructions on the water therapy and any other therapy that anyone has found useful in this type of situation. Has anyone done physical therapy with their guinea pig? If so, I will take as many specifics as you can offer, please.
His legs are not dead, he is still has some nerve function I can tell by the movement he has displayed, I just feel like the right PT would really benefit him. Thank you!
Paralysis and recovery
The fact that Brownie is having some movement and sensation is a very good thing, and am so glad for him and you for that.
We have not dealt with paralysis in acute or chronic form, but have used hydrotherapy and physical therapy to help with comfort, movement and muscle tone for arthritic condition. Our therapy, however, was not guided by certified professionals, but from limited knowledge gained from some past experience or from instinct. Do you have trained persons in your area who have worked with guinea pigs?
With hydrotherapy, a pig would need to be very comfortable in warm water, and well-supported. If not comfortable, he could make sudden movements or become tense, which would be counterproductive or possibly harmful. So you would want to determine if water would be a good choice for Brownie.
In your situation, I would be cautious with movement of the spine if there could be residual swelling or weakness, and if alignment issue still exists. Some have talked of seeing a chiropractor for alignment issues. It would be important to know if there are any nerves that could be further damaged by certain movements so you are avoiding too much movement of these areas. I incorporate massage therapy to help with circulation of blood and nutrients to the affected areas.
Encouraging him to use body parts the way that he normally would is usually safer initially. I have had our boys move, without my handling, by presenting a hidey area just ahead of them that they will usually want to walk to (ie a blanket overhang). Occasionally, new presentation of hay or food/treat will encourage walking.
You'll probably want to watch skin to be sure pressure sores do not develop, and might provide softer blanket underneath to help protect the tissue.
A few thoughts, maybe not as precise as what you are needing for Brownie, but did want to share a little from our experience here.
We have not dealt with paralysis in acute or chronic form, but have used hydrotherapy and physical therapy to help with comfort, movement and muscle tone for arthritic condition. Our therapy, however, was not guided by certified professionals, but from limited knowledge gained from some past experience or from instinct. Do you have trained persons in your area who have worked with guinea pigs?
With hydrotherapy, a pig would need to be very comfortable in warm water, and well-supported. If not comfortable, he could make sudden movements or become tense, which would be counterproductive or possibly harmful. So you would want to determine if water would be a good choice for Brownie.
In your situation, I would be cautious with movement of the spine if there could be residual swelling or weakness, and if alignment issue still exists. Some have talked of seeing a chiropractor for alignment issues. It would be important to know if there are any nerves that could be further damaged by certain movements so you are avoiding too much movement of these areas. I incorporate massage therapy to help with circulation of blood and nutrients to the affected areas.
Encouraging him to use body parts the way that he normally would is usually safer initially. I have had our boys move, without my handling, by presenting a hidey area just ahead of them that they will usually want to walk to (ie a blanket overhang). Occasionally, new presentation of hay or food/treat will encourage walking.
You'll probably want to watch skin to be sure pressure sores do not develop, and might provide softer blanket underneath to help protect the tissue.
A few thoughts, maybe not as precise as what you are needing for Brownie, but did want to share a little from our experience here.
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Jaycey
- Supporter in 2014
I know BamBam had great success with Jack. He's his thread:
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... light=jack
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewt ... light=jack
Thank you all for your replies. Brownie has been on "bed rest" for the last few weeks in a small container by himself. As we are now approaching three weeks since his injury, I want to start transitioning to rehab, but figuring out exactly what that should look like is a bit puzzling.
Getting him to walk is no problem, because he can actually run around really fast using his other three legs, but getting him to use the one that is the weakest is a little more challenging, because I think it is just easier for him to drag right now than to try to use it. But I can already see a lot of atrophy and I just want to find the best ways to encourage use and exercise.
I will try some massage of the area and maybe just some manual range of motion kind of movements with him. Please let me know if anyone has any more ideas. Thank you all!
Getting him to walk is no problem, because he can actually run around really fast using his other three legs, but getting him to use the one that is the weakest is a little more challenging, because I think it is just easier for him to drag right now than to try to use it. But I can already see a lot of atrophy and I just want to find the best ways to encourage use and exercise.
I will try some massage of the area and maybe just some manual range of motion kind of movements with him. Please let me know if anyone has any more ideas. Thank you all!
Galantamini hydrobromidum (Nivalin) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galantamine has been used for treating guinea pigs with nerve damage and temporary leg paralysis with good results. Additionally, physical therapy and vitamins B were used.
The cases of paralysis that I know of, and which have been treated succesfully, were not results of spinal injury, however, but trauma to the leg nerve, and specifically, a side effect of botched injections in lab cavies.
The cases of paralysis that I know of, and which have been treated succesfully, were not results of spinal injury, however, but trauma to the leg nerve, and specifically, a side effect of botched injections in lab cavies.
Wanted to let everyone know that Brownie is walking again!! With all four feet!! He has improved incrementally day by day over the last five days or so, and today he is standing and walking, not just scooting himself along! His gate isn't quite 100% normal yet, but I expect him to get there. Thanks all!
SHOP AMAZON