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3 vet visits and possible UTI that won’t go away

Wiebke said:
I have had arthritic piggies on long term meloxicam without problems. Unlike other species, guinea pigs cope with much higher levels of metacam long term. Metacam should always be given twice daily because of the much faster metabolism of guinea pigs.
What dosage is he on (ca or dog metacam)?

I see gabapentin prescribed occasionally for guinea pigs but don't have personal experience with it. It is an anti-convulsant that specifically targets nerve endings.
@PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns @furryfriends (TEAS)

PS: Since high level glucosamine (cartrofen) is now starting to be used to treat severe cases of sterile IC, you can give a capsule twice daily for the first week. I am doing this whenever my IC piggy Breila has got a bad flare up. It gets on top of the acute symptoms more quickly than upping the metacam in my own experience.
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I think it’s dog metacam because the strength is 1.5mg/ml and I give him .38ml once a day.

Do you get cartrofen from the vet?
 
Erikac said:
I think it’s dog metacam because the strength is 1.5mg/ml and I give him .38ml once a day.

Do you get cartrofen from the vet?
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What you are looking for is something like Feliway cystease capsules for cats, which are widely available online and are easiest to prepare and dose. Preparation see in my previous post.

Cartrofen is a very strong glucosamine based arthritis drug that is prescription-only and not cheap (and doesn't come in capsules). It is the very latest for dealing with very bad cases of sterile IC. So far, it is only used episodically by UK vets yet but with very good results as a kind of go to when other approaches have failed to get on top of flare ups reasonably quickly - and you are most definitely nowhere close to that scenario. But its effectiveness is proving that glucosamine is indeed the key to dealing with sterile cystitis and other urinary discomfort - and that higher dosages are not harmful if you want to give two capsules a day at first. It helps to repair/strengthen the lining inside the urinary tract.
 
Wiebke said:
What you are looking for is something like Feliway cystease capsules for cats, which are widely available online and are easiest to prepare and dose. Preparation see in my previous post.

Cartrofen is a very strong glucosamine based arthritis drug that is prescription-only and not cheap (and doesn't come in capsules). It is the very latest for dealing with very bad cases of sterile IC. So far, it is only used episodically by UK vets yet but with very good results as a kind of go to when other approaches have failed to get on top of flare ups reasonably quickly - and you are most definitely nowhere close to that scenario. But its effectiveness is proving that glucosamine is indeed the key to dealing with sterile cystitis and other urinary discomfort - and that higher dosages are not harmful if you want to give two capsules a day at first. It helps to repair/strengthen the lining inside the urinary tract.
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Thank you so much for all your knowledge on this matter. The vet I take Wilbur to now said she wouldn’t up his Glucosamine dose because it might mess up his stomach or something like that. I guess his gut health. I’m thinking of changing veterinarians. She’s good, but she’s not an exotic animal veterinarian. I actually emailed one where I lived and he was nice enough to answer me. He told me that Oxbow Joint Supplements sometimes aren’t
 
Wiebke said:
What you are looking for is something like Feliway cystease capsules for cats, which are widely available online and are easiest to prepare and dose. Preparation see in my previous post.

Cartrofen is a very strong glucosamine based arthritis drug that is prescription-only and not cheap (and doesn't come in capsules). It is the very latest for dealing with very bad cases of sterile IC. So far, it is only used episodically by UK vets yet but with very good results as a kind of go to when other approaches have failed to get on top of flare ups reasonably quickly - and you are most definitely nowhere close to that scenario. But its effectiveness is proving that glucosamine is indeed the key to dealing with sterile cystitis and other urinary discomfort - and that higher dosages are not harmful if you want to give two capsules a day at first. It helps to repair/strengthen the lining inside the urinary tract.
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enough and a more concentrated form of glucosamine can be used. Just like you guys on the forum have been telling me. I’ll be taking Wilbur to him next month to up the Glucosamine if the Oxbow Supplement doesn’t work.

By the way, I recommended this forum to another guinea mum 😊

Grateful for you guys. Stay safe ❤️
 
Erikac said:
Thank you. What is your guinea pigs metacam dose? Is this the Cystease you have?
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Yes, this is the cystease but if you have a cheaper or more easily available cat glucosamine bladder support product, then that should work as well. You are looking at a daily dose of around 150 mg glucosamine per day as the standard.
 
Hi. Sorry for the late reply.
I use gabapentin for bladder pigs and find it helps if the metacam alone is not enough.
My vet prescribes a low dose, 0.1 to 0.2ml two to three times a day. Slowly upping the dose until you get a response. In my experience using it long term in some cases l have seen no side effects. I also use metacam long term with no problems even with higher doses.
The only problem with gabapentin is the expense, if you vet doesn't use it routinely then you may have to buy a full bottle which costs around £200 and depending on the brand may go off after 28 days following opening, although l use it for about 6 weeks safely.
One brand Gabapentin Teva lasts 3 months.
If your vet uses it routinely they will be able to dispense smaller, more affordable quantities.
 
Wiebke said:
Yes, this is the cystease but if you have a cheaper or more easily available cat glucosamine bladder support product, then that should work as well. You are looking at a daily dose of around 150 mg glucosamine per day as the standard.
Click to expand...
Awesome thanks
 
pig in the city said:
Hi. Sorry for the late reply.
I use gabapentin for bladder pigs and find it helps if the metacam alone is not enough.
My vet prescribes a low dose, 0.1 to 0.2ml two to three times a day. Slowly upping the dose until you get a response. In my experience using it long term in some cases l have seen no side effects. I also use metacam long term with no problems even with higher doses.
The only problem with gabapentin is the expense, if you vet doesn't use it routinely then you may have to buy a full bottle which costs around £200 and depending on the brand may go off after 28 days following opening, although l use it for about 6 weeks safely.
One brand Gabapentin Teva lasts 3 months.
If your vet uses it routinely they will be able to dispense smaller, more affordable quantities.
Click to expand...
This was really helpful. Thank you for the support
 
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