[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Paralysis

[Cazza177]

Dear Rei

If you are in the UK, I believe you can pick up Osteocare from most health
shops (might be an idea to call first to see if they have stocks).  In the
US it may go under a different name, but you could call Osteocare to find
that out:  http://www.osteocare.com/uk/    On their website I saw they do a
liquid form of it -- which might be easier to administer to a guinea pig?

Here's a link on what Peter Gurney says:-

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/paral.htm

He also says the following additional info:-

PARALYSIS
There is a relatively common condition that can occur in guinea pigs for
which we have never found satisfactory explanation. It is a paralysis, which
happens overnight in the hindquarters of a guinea pig. It is very
distressing to see the animal pulling itself around with its front legs but
it will be noted that it pulls with great vigour, still has a very healthy
appetite and there is no indication in any other way that there is anything
wrong, pulse and respiration being normal.
The cure is heavy doses of liquid calcium, 0.5 night and morning on the
first day, slipping back to 0.5 daily until the animal is back on its feet,
which usually takes two to three days. Note this only works in these
circumstance, and not if the guinea pig is paralysed as the result of being
dropped or has a gone down over the course of a few days, with other
symptoms such as alterations in heart rate and respiration. These cases
always need more investigation and treatment by a guinea pig competent vet.
Calcium is not only important for good health in bones and teeth, it is also
vital for the nerve impulses into the muscles, which make them contract. Why
this only seems to affect the rear end of the animal is a complete mystery.
If this problem is caused by a lack of calcium, which it seems to be,
considering the cure which always works, it is either because for some
reason the gut flora are not absorbing the calcium and by flooding the gut
with it, enough is taken in or it is not getting enough calcium in its diet.
The latter is most unlikely for it should get more than enough via its dry
feed and in all the cases I have come across there has been absolutely no
change in the diet.
This is yet one more proven cure that is dismissed out of hand by most in
the veterinary profession. By proven I mean by those who have had more
practical experience of keeping these animals than any professional vet. The
problem is the same old one of only so-called scientifically set-up tests
being considered acceptable, not lifelong practical experience of treating
these animals by years and years of hands-on experience.

Hope this helps.  Carole
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From: Rachel H 
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:50:23 -0700 (PDT)
To: gpdd at gpdd.org
Subject: [Gpdd] Paralysis

Hi!
  I have just recently gotten a baby guinea pig who I love more than
anything and I've had him for only one month and he has suddenly become
parlyzed.  I read on a Peter Gurney website about using Osteocare, I had no
idea what this was so I googled it and I found that they were selling it on
Ebay but that it was for dogs so I went ahead and ordered b/c I need all the
help I can get.  I recently read other threads on this mailing list and
found that he was talking about HUMAN osteocare. I've also been putting
Vitamin C drops into his mouth instead of in his water and have ordered the
Oxbow tablets.  Is there anyone else who has had this experience and their
guinea recovered?? I need all the help I can get.  I feel so bad for him
although he is acting completely normal I cannot stand to see him dragging
around in his urine and feces.  Please Please help me!!
   
  Thanks,
  Rei

         
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