• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Cartrophen for IC?

DougalandDiego

DougalandDiego

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 6, 2019
Messages
928
Reaction score
1,218
Points
675
Location
Somerset UK
Hi everyone,

I just wanted to post and ask about members experiences with cartrophen injections for a piggy with IC? My guinea pig is due to have his fourth injection tomorrow (he’s been having them weekly up until this point) and he is also on 2 cystease capsules per day (one in the morning with 2ml water and then the same in the evening) and 0.4ml x2 daily of dog metacam (he is 1270g).

I just wondered what people’s experiences were with how quickly it worked/if it worked for your IC piggies? My boy has been on cystease for well over a month - nearly 2, since he was diagnosed with IC, and is still squeaking even though he’s having both treatments. I wondered if this was ‘normal’ for an IC piggy as I feel awful that he’s still squeaking (although some days he does squeak less than others). He seems happy in himself and hasn’t lost weight so wonder whether this is what I just need to accept now I know what it is or speak to my vet about upping his pain killers? I’ve tried to cut things out of his diet but it doesn’t make a difference/cut down the squeaking.

Thanks in advance x
 
Sorry - I haven't got any personal experience with cartrofen. It has only been around for about a year on a trial basis by some vets; so there is not yet a lot of practical experience around with how effective it is or whether there are cases it doesn't work - and what could be the issue with them.

Generally, from what I have heard, the injections are making an impact pretty straight away and with very good effect.
 
Thanks @Wiebke its hard to tell if they’re having an impact or not as I’ve not had anything similar with other piggies to compare it with! I sat in his room for an hour and a half (still in here now) and he’s drank a lot/pooped and only done one squeaky wee in that time. I’ve tried to do a bit of reading about how often guinea pigs pee to see if he’s squeaking with every pee or not and I’ve read that they can usually pee every 15 minutes which makes me think he’s not squeaking with every pee at least?

I guess I’m wondering if it’s normal for an IC pig to squeak on a daily basis even with treatment and painkillers or whether there is more I need to be doing for him? Like I said he seems very happy/popcorning no weight loss or anything which is good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top