Spot is limping
Hi everyone - I had the boys out for floor time this morning and after about an hour, I noticed Spot was limping. There is no visible injury, and I rubbed my finger lightly across his foot pad to see if there was a sliver of wood or glass in there. He didn´t squeal at all while I was examining him, just squirmy because I had him on his back.
I hoped he had just twisted an ankle or something (do pigs have ankles?) or maybe a toenail got caught in the rug on the floor and pulled it a bit. So I put the boys back in their cages and left for about 5 hours. I just got back and Spot is still limping. Is it vet time or can you think of another reason he might be limping?
Again, other than not putting weight on his foot, he doesn´t seem to be in pain.
I hoped he had just twisted an ankle or something (do pigs have ankles?) or maybe a toenail got caught in the rug on the floor and pulled it a bit. So I put the boys back in their cages and left for about 5 hours. I just got back and Spot is still limping. Is it vet time or can you think of another reason he might be limping?
Again, other than not putting weight on his foot, he doesn´t seem to be in pain.
If he´s still limping tomorrow, a vet visit is a good idea to rule out arthritis. Yes, limps from arthritis can show up suddenly. The pigs just reaches a point where they can´t compensate anymore. And weather can affect it too.
But he might have just twisted it or bumped it - if that´s the case it should be a bit better by tomorrow.
But he might have just twisted it or bumped it - if that´s the case it should be a bit better by tomorrow.
Thanks pinta - I just called the emergency line at my vet´s office. They agreed with you in that it´s probably not critical. They told me to keep an eye on him and make sure he´s still eating and drinking and not wincing.
Spot´s a year and a half old; can arthritis set in that early? Also, it was a beautiful sunny day here, 70 F so I doubt it would be the weather.
Spot´s a year and a half old; can arthritis set in that early? Also, it was a beautiful sunny day here, 70 F so I doubt it would be the weather.
I just went home at lunch. It does seem to be improving. He´s actually putting a little weight on it. His appetite is just as ferocious as ever so I think he´s fine.
This always happens. Whenever I plan to leave town, something happens to Spot. Maybe he´s on to my travel plans and is trying to get me to stay... clever piggy.
Thanks for your reassurance pinta!
This always happens. Whenever I plan to leave town, something happens to Spot. Maybe he´s on to my travel plans and is trying to get me to stay... clever piggy.
Thanks for your reassurance pinta!