sore leg

Question
Hi, I am a new guinea pig owner and I am concerned about how to care for my pig. My son brought him to school in his cage and he seemed to be fine when he came home, but then we noticed he was holding his front paw up and not walking on it. My son said no one held him and he wasn't dropped by him(he's very careful with him).Although some of the kids really wanted to hold him and were trying to take him from him. So, my question is, do I need to take him to a vet or should I just wait it out? and If I did wait it out what kind of chances am I taking? PS: He is eating and not squealing when we pick him up or when he walks. Thank you and sorry for the long explanation.

Answer
I see why you would be concerned. I remember how worried I was when my guinea pig Cappuccino, God rest her soul, dragged her back right leg behind her.  I think in the stressful situation of classmates trying to pull him from your son, may have put a little too much pressure on the leg.  I would wait it out.  If your pig is eating and drinking fine, that is all good news.  While practicing the 'wait and see' type of management, be on the look-out for swelling, warmth, or any kind of worsening.  It sounds like a pulled muscle, and he will eventually snap back from it without trouble.  I would go over proper handling techniques with your son, just to be safe.  You can find them on many of the guinea pig (cavy) websites.  :)
Feel free to ask me again if it gets worse!

Thanks for asking!
-Nicky