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Arthritis in back leg

CarrieC

CarrieC

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Hello,

My 7-year old guinea pig Edward has what the vet thinks is arthritis in one of his back legs. His other legs seem OK and his spine is OK. At the current moment he's not really got much mobility at all so I've put all his food, water, nearby and keep cleaning under where he is so he doesn't get too damp. He was started on 0.3 metacam a few days ago and I've decided to split it into two doses morning and evening as I know they metabolise it quickly. I've also started him on a Oxbow Joint Care supplement which he really likes! He's eating fine and still seems interested in things, he just can't move!

Could anyone tell me how long it usually takes for the metacam to help..? I don't see much improvement at the moment but maybe it's too soon? I'm wondering when to go and ask the vet for a higher dosage.

Thank you,
Caroline
 
I’m sorry to hear this.

Is that cat or dog metacam? It makes a difference because cat metacam is three times weaker than dog metacam.
If it is cat metacam then 0.3ml once a day is low. It is prescribed in a sliding scale depending on clinical need though.

Metacam starts to work within a few hours so if the dose is high enough to manage his pain then it would be doing it by now.

Ensure you weigh him daily so you can monitor that he is definitely eating enough hay.

Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
 
CarrieC said:
Hello,

My 7-year old guinea pig Edward has what the vet thinks is arthritis in one of his back legs. His other legs seem OK and his spine is OK. At the current moment he's not really got much mobility at all so I've put all his food, water, nearby and keep cleaning under where he is so he doesn't get too damp. He was started on 0.3 metacam a few days ago and I've decided to split it into two doses morning and evening as I know they metabolise it quickly. I've also started him on a Oxbow Joint Care supplement which he really likes! He's eating fine and still seems interested in things, he just can't move!

Could anyone tell me how long it usually takes for the metacam to help..? I don't see much improvement at the moment but maybe it's too soon? I'm wondering when to go and ask the vet for a higher dosage.

Thank you,
Caroline
Click to expand...

Hi

Try it on the lower dosage for a few weeks first and see where that is getting you. There are strong joint supplements and higher metacam dosages if needed but arthritis is one of those issues that needs long term managing at the right level and then taking it from there rather than a quick fix.
Have you been given cat (0.5 mg/ml) or dog (1.5mg/ml) strength metacam? It makes quite a huge difference since dog strength metacam is three times stronger. If you have been given cat strength metacam then you are basically on the lowest possible level of medication.

Arthtritis is a denegerative long term condition and there is no quick fix.
 
Thank you both for your replies. He's on 0.3 ml cat metacam. I think I will wait to see how he gets on and if there is no improvement I will ask about a higher dosage.
 
CarrieC said:
Thank you both for your replies. He's on 0.3 ml cat metacam. I think I will wait to see how he gets on and if there is no improvement I will ask about a higher dosage.
Click to expand...

That dosage is verging on the cosmetic; you'd better give it just once a day to have at least a bit of an impact. Unlike
other species, guinea pig tolerate metacam a lot better in higher dosages and for the long term.

Unfortunately, cat metacam is the one that has been licensed for small exotics so that is what you'll usually get from a general vet.
 
OK, I'll give it in a single dose and see how he gets on. The guide you have on piggies with no/limited mobility is really helpful.
 
Jenny is a senior pig and started metacam a few weeks ago. She weighs only about 750g but is on 0.2ml dog metacam, twice a day. The difference in her was marked within 48 hours.

We decided at her age (8.5 ish) that we would consider her management palliative so that we can give as much metacam as she needs. It might shorten her lifespan a bit (it’s not good for kidneys) but we are going for quality now rather than quantity.
 
Hi all, sadly Edward deteriorated a lot over night and I made the decision to put him to sleep today. He started having issues eating (I think probably a dental problem in addition to arthritis) and his other leg went :( RIP sweet boy ♥
 
Aw I’m so sorry for your loss 😞 I lost my Edward at just 3 months shy of his 7th birthday last August. He too developed arthritis and deteriorated quickly and we made the decision to have him pts after he lost the ability to swallow. It’s sad but 7 is a great age x
 
Claire W said:
Aw I’m so sorry for your loss 😞 I lost my Edward at just 3 months shy of his 7th birthday last August. He too developed arthritis and deteriorated quickly and we made the decision to have him pts after he lost the ability to swallow. It’s sad but 7 is a great age x
Click to expand...
Thank you and I am sorry you lost your Edward ♥ He seemed to age extremely quickly. He was doing pretty well overall until a few months ago when he started to show his age. He will be reunited with his pal Colin who died aged 8 last year. I actually think he may have had arthritis too.

I love all your guinea pig names btw - seems you're also a fan of piggies with the name E too! I have two piggies called Elon and Elias :)
 
CarrieC said:
Thank you and I am sorry you lost your Edward ♥ He seemed to age extremely quickly. He was doing pretty well overall until a few months ago when he started to show his age. He will be reunited with his pal Colin who died aged 8 last year. I actually think he may have had arthritis too.

I love all your guinea pig names btw - seems you're also a fan of piggies with the name E too! I have two piggies called Elon and Elias :)
Click to expand...

Thank you, my Edward was doing well too and then started to show his age and deteriorated quickly 😞 But at least our Edwards didn’t suffer for long and lived to great ages. Aw Colin was a great age too, thank you and yes I love E names, love Elon and Elias 🙂 I bet they’re great characters x
 
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