[Gpdd] Health: Spunky is Paralyzed

[warmbreath]

Often the first sign of a Vit C deficiency is loss of back leg function, and 
in many cases its reversible, as reported here on GPDD. Also many have tried 
with success there own version of physical therapy where each leg is moved 
in as natural a walking position as is possible along with gentle massage. 
As long as he doesn't seem in pain I would use these methods as often in a 
day as possible. Also I have read from the etherbun group on yahoo that 
there are rabbit vets who specialize in acupuncture (although buns often 
have this problem for different reasons than piggies, as buns don't need 
extra Vit C. Also bun owners often invest in carts, where the back of the 
animal is strapped into a chariot like device, and they move along with 
great ease using their front legs. This may not work in piggies because they 
don't have the power in their front legs as buns do)

The other concern is  hygiene, they should be kept as clean as possible, 
buns can wear baby diapers with a hole cut for the tail. Perhaps this could 
be adapted for piggies, if they don't chew at it. They should be kept on 
soft towel or faux sheepskin, both bedding and piggies hind end washed 
frequently, and turned and moved to prevent bed sores. Metacam or Meloxicam 
is a fine pain med for piggies in the NSAID family. I have noticed that 
Kroger's pharmacy $4/month list has Meloxicam on it, may be able to fill 
prescriptions cheaply at people pharmacies, although the $4 list was for 
tablets, but it could be crushed and mixed with a little banana and 
syringed, it is only given once a day

I know this sounds like allot  but some here have reported turnaround in a 
wheek or less, I hope this is the case for Spunky and that he lives up to 
his name. I don't see where a disc could disappear too, maybe more likely he 
was born that way. make sure you consult with an exotic specialist, there 
are lists of bunny savvy vets at the House Rabbit Society Homepage 
www.rabbit.org, and there are separate chapters in most states that may have 
their own lists.  Also see, http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/vets.html  this 
page owner is a bunny specialist only, so I wouldn't question her about 
piggies. This last one has a list of acupuncturists' as well 
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabvets.html, and by going to the 
medical tab at top, you may find other references to your problem, morfz 
usually has rabbit articles but often other animal as well, it is an 
extremely exhaustive site, but check the date on any article you read

I'm not saying you have a bad vet but just to make sure you have access to 
one who devotes their time to small animals, bunny vets USUALLY care for 
piggies but not always. Dog and cat vets often say they see many piggies 
buts its not the same
Good luck Sandy and Manny the Boar and Li'l Bit