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Does Anyone Know The Dose For Metacam?

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sophieandhoney

sophieandhoney

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Honey weighs 930gram and is 5 and a half.

She is crying when she wees. Started in July but was intermittent and vet could not find a problem, however now it has become far more frequent so we went back to the vets Monday of this week.

She has been prescribed .02 of baytril twice a day which I am not thrilled with but as the vet couldn't feel any stones it seemed logical to clear an infection....

She had one injection of metacam on Monday which helped loads (till about Wednesday really) but I can't stand to hear her squeak and cry in pain so took her back to the vets today. He took a sample of her urine for testing, said to carry on with the baytril and prescribed Cat metacam.

However, he said 10 drops from the bottle.....This seemed like loads when I eventually squeezed it into the syringe (complete faff arama that was as well) so I only gave her half.

and now, awake and worried Honey is crying again :(

I am going to give her the rest of the measured dose....but wondered if any one had an actual amount per 1 kilo of weight for example.

I might ring the vet tomorrow. I should have gone to a different vet really.

thanks all XX
 
Has she had an xray? I would perhaps ask for one to rule out a bladder stone, a decent vet will be able to do this only using a sniff of gas - injectable anaesthetic is unnecessary.

My boy was on 0.2 of metacam twice a day, and ended up also needing tramadol.

Xx
 
it depends really. cystitis/uti's etc are very painful. i would get the dog metacam and give a higher dose personally, going off my exotic vets treatment (maisie was on 0.6ml 2x a day for example) - depends on individual vets though, but seen as bladder issues need both pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment, then i'd go higher, especially as she is still in obvious discomfort. you usually get a higher dose initially to reduce the majority of the swelling, and then reduce.

i would maybe think of going to a different vet, as baytril isn't the best choice for bladder issues. something like septrin to start would be better. treatment for at least 10days. if it returns, treatment can then be increased and other tests done.

i went through quite a long process with maisie and her bladder issues and squeaking etc. you're welcome to read it through on the thread i made if you want more details :)
 
Please ring your vet clinic and ask your vet for what dosis he would recommend to give her over the weekend. He will know whether you have dog or cat metacam (different strength). The dosis varies according to the strength but also to the severity of the pain.
 
My guinea pig now weighs 1100g and was given a prescription for 0.4ml Metacam once per day. I used to suck up the Metacam into the big syringe and then transfer 0.4ml into a 1ml syringe, which could be used to give the medicine. My other guinea pig Jack was poorly with teeth issues and when he lost weight and went down to 850g, the vet put him on 0.3ml Metacam. They both did not seem to mind the taste of it, when given by syringe.

I am going through bladder issues with my guinea pig at the moment and he vet has diagnosed interstitial cystitis and he is now on Cystophan - half a capsule powder a day and it has really helped him. He was initially put on Baytril, which depressed his appetite slightly, but we managed to finish the course, together with the Metacam. When I took him back as he was getting worse with the crying and hunching, she completed an ultrasound, found he did not have any stones, so then put him on Metacam and Cystophan. Joe seems to be improving a bit each day now and has done well on the Cystophan powder. He has been taken off the Metacam and is managing just on the Cystophan powder which he eats on a wet lettuce leaf, so no problems. If your guinea pig does not have any obvious cause such as stones, it might be worth asking the vet about some Cystophan. I know others using a similar thing to Cystophan and it is also helping them. Cystophan contains glucosamine (a sugar substance which is thought to coat and protect/soothe the lining of the bladder), L Tryptophan which is thought to help with mood/depression and Hyaluronic acid which is useful in inflammatory conditions and is a normal part of connective tissue. My guinea pig has been put on 6 week course of the Cystophan powder, with a possibility for long term treatment. But it is no trouble really, just a bit fiddly trying to break a capsule in 2 and giving him half the powder in the capsule on a lettuce leaf, which is just gobbles down, unaware there is anything on it.
 
sophieandhoney said:
Honey weighs 930gram and is 5 and a half.

She is crying when she wees. Started in July but was intermittent and vet could not find a problem, however now it has become far more frequent so we went back to the vets Monday of this week.

She has been prescribed .02 of baytril twice a day which I am not thrilled with but as the vet couldn't feel any stones it seemed logical to clear an infection....

She had one injection of metacam on Monday which helped loads (till about Wednesday really) but I can't stand to hear her squeak and cry in pain so took her back to the vets today. He took a sample of her urine for testing, said to carry on with the baytril and prescribed Cat metacam.

However, he said 10 drops from the bottle.....This seemed like loads when I eventually squeezed it into the syringe (complete faff arama that was as well) so I only gave her half.

and now, awake and worried Honey is crying again :(

I am going to give her the rest of the measured dose....but wondered if any one had an actual amount per 1 kilo of weight for example.

I might ring the vet tomorrow. I should have gone to a different vet really.

thanks all XX
Click to expand...

I would recommed that you talk to a different vet, one who can help you a bit more than this one seems to have done. They could also be asked about dosage, as I would not recommend increasing any dosage until you have discussed with a vet and that you are sure that it is safe. You never know about the level of toxicity and when you could be doing more harm than good. As Metacam is a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (a bit like aspirin) it can have an effect on the lining of the stomach, so increasing dosage may cause more problems. Also what works for one guinea pig, may not work for another. So what is prescribed for one issue, might not be right for another. This is why it is better to let a vet examine her and give you advice. But go to a guinea pig experienced vet as otherwise you will often get poor advice, waste money and delay the correct treatment.
 
thanks every one :) great links and suggestions.

Vet doesn't consult over the phone..... and shut at 11 on Saturday with no appointments. Super helpful.......

I was up watching and reading most of Saturday night, she had the second part of what I thought was a huge dose, I stuck to the ten drops in the end, the nurse on the phone implied that guinea pigs metabolise metacam very quickly - I have read this on Guinea lynx (that's not what it's called but hopefully you know what I mean) so am not as worried as yesterday.

Honey went very quiet yesterday afternoon, tho in fairness that is generally when they are left alone the longest so I would imagine they would be quieter.
any how she stayed snuggled in a blanket whilst Abby and Lola had a run round.

She seems very normal today, ate veg last night and was keen to come out this morning and run around as normal - even humping Lola who looked less than impressed!

However she has very soft poos. As well as baytril and metacam I have given extra cucumber to try to wash out her bladder so I shall stop that today and leave any veg till much little tonight?

She has excel nuggets and hay to eat and I shall leave it at that.

If I were to get a prebiotic what one and where from?

Am figuring that she can no longer have redi grass? it is calcium rich right?

she is happy at the moment I think.
 
When vets give doses in drops rather that ml then I'm very suspicious about their knowledge. I would definitely try a different vet, one who is more piggy savvy. There's a vet locator at top of this page to find a piggy savvy vet near to you x
 
Just a quick update, Honey has a very messy bum and so I have made the decision to leave her off the baytril. She has been on it since Monday? I am not sure it was doing any good... What do you think?

I am also not giving any veg tonight.

and yes I agree re the vet. not impressed.
 
Another update,

I gave her one slice of cucumber last night as I was worried about her water intake but no other veg. She is eating hay no problem and this morning came out for 20 min run round my room with Lola and Abbey. Her bum is not dirty this morning but I am aware it doesn't normally work that quickly! She squeaked this morning when she wee'ed but I hadn't heard her all day yesterday - was upstairs working for most of it. She had more metacam just now and more hay.

I took Henry to exotics vet in Brentwood so once I get the urine test results I shall make an appointment with him.

Meanwhile just administer the metacam and limit the veg. Does this sound reasonable?
 
Hope you can get a better or clearer diagnosis soon. I have nothing more to add to whats been said other than the fact that if you use pliers you can pop the dropper part of the metacam lid off and stick the syringe straight in the bottle for easier dosing.
 
Thanks Tbag, your wish is my command :)

Had a great phone call from the vet today with her urine results,

no red blood cells
no white blood cells
LOTS of calcium carbonate

This means no infection or tumour he also mentioned some thing else that I can't remember that meant she didn't have kidney problems (Some thing shell?)

Any how, he prescribed/advised a low calcium diet no spinach no kale, no parsley, no alfalfa based foods. I told him about Guinea lynx and said I would research from there.

She should have timothy hay and perhaps look at a vitamin c supplement to give her. I can keep up the Metacam and must monitor her closely to make sure she is eating and happy and hasn't developed any stones so no straining when weeing etc.

I am pleased with that, he was good on the phone and I felt much better about it all.

I am going to use the dose on Guinea lynx (I know that is the wrong name, sorry) for metacam (0.02 every 24 hours if I have read it right)

I may use the cystisis treatment - Cymalon I think? would that help "coat" her bladder and make it lesson painful? I have read about on here but not clear on if it would help since there isn't an infection? any opinions welcome.

(she is off the baytril and I may do poo soup for her? if she is still runny, plus limited veg tonight)

XX

If anything changes I am to bring her in most likely for an x ray.
 
Regarding the Baytril, it's best to complete the 7 day course. With Metacam, if you've got a big bottle then I find it best to pour approx. a week's supply into a small medicine bottle & then draw from this. This also stops any chance of the bottle full getting contaminated. Regarding the x-ray, ask if they can do it without anaesthetic, my vet has just done the same x-ray on my 5 or 6 year old piggy, Minnie x
 
Cymalon will change the pH of the urine to more it more alkaline, which is supposed to help reduce the stinging sensation of cystitis.
 
sophieandhoney said:
thanks every one :) great links and suggestions.

Vet doesn't consult over the phone..... and shut at 11 on Saturday with no appointments. Super helpful.......

I was up watching and reading most of Saturday night, she had the second part of what I thought was a huge dose, I stuck to the ten drops in the end, the nurse on the phone implied that guinea pigs metabolise metacam very quickly - I have read this on Guinea lynx (that's not what it's called but hopefully you know what I mean) so am not as worried as yesterday.

Honey went very quiet yesterday afternoon, tho in fairness that is generally when they are left alone the longest so I would imagine they would be quieter.
any how she stayed snuggled in a blanket whilst Abby and Lola had a run round.

She seems very normal today, ate veg last night and was keen to come out this morning and run around as normal - even humping Lola who looked less than impressed!

However she has very soft poos. As well as baytril and metacam I have given extra cucumber to try to wash out her bladder so I shall stop that today and leave any veg till much little tonight?

She has excel nuggets and hay to eat and I shall leave it at that.

If I were to get a prebiotic what one and where from?

Am figuring that she can no longer have redi grass? it is calcium rich right?

she is happy at the moment I think.
Click to expand...
sophieandhoney said:
Another update,

I gave her one slice of cucumber last night as I was worried about her water intake but no other veg. She is eating hay no problem and this morning came out for 20 min run round my room with Lola and Abbey. Her bum is not dirty this morning but I am aware it doesn't normally work that quickly! She squeaked this morning when she wee'ed but I hadn't heard her all day yesterday - was upstairs working for most of it. She had more metacam just now and more hay.

I took Henry to exotics vet in Brentwood so once I get the urine test results I shall make an appointment with him.

Meanwhile just administer the metacam and limit the veg. Does this sound reasonable?
Click to expand...

Stay off any fresh veg until the poos have been normal again for 48 hours. Make sure that she has plenty of water (if necessary, syringe it as much as she will take in one go; about half a syringe (i.e. one mouthful) in one go and weigh her daily at the same time.

You can order probiotics and fibreplex online, but for an emergency, p@h ones will do. I recommend avipro plus probiotic, as it is the only one without addd calcium. I would also recommend to have some sort of recovery food handy.
@helen105281 can advise you on which pellets are best for a low calcium diet.
 
Honey had been on baytril since last Monday and I was worried it was upsetting her tummy so I wasn't going to risk it any more, I hate that antibiotic!

The Excel nuggets have 8g of calcium per 100g I think..... too much. Wiebke, what nuggets do you feed? that link is brilliant, thank you for finding it. I shall limit veg for a few days more.

Tonight they all came out for a pootle and Honey seemed good. We shall see...........

thanks for all the help - oo tbag, thanks for the tip about pliers, VERY helpful!

XX
 
I currently feed very limited amounts of burgess and have not had any new stones on that, but if you can afford and get hold of the pellets that @helen105281 has recommended, you be off even better.

Calcium absorption is a very complex process; depending on what has gone out of balance, you can influence it only so much with a diet, but it generally goes a fair way.

You generally tend to fine tune your personal diet over time, seeing what works and what doesn't work quite so well. Another diet to start with is actually the daily veg recommendation in our general diet guide. I also feed beetroot twice weekly to mine.
 
I forgot to say!

The most embarrassing moment of the vet's phone call! I told him I was filtering their water!

I bought this yesterday

he did laugh - in a nice way. I actually think I might be a bit harsh on him sometimes, I tend to turn up being all forthright and demanding!

I shall order the expensive pellets.... what about a vitamin c supplement?
 
You should be covered with the pellets but it would not hurt to give extra. I recommend Oxbow Daily C. One thing with the pellets, introduce them gradually with their existing pellets and don't expect them to like them straight away as they are very different. I have noticed so much more energy in my pigs since they have had them though.
 
You can give vitamin C if you wish to, but as long as you are feeding slices of pepper, slices of spring greens (which provides the magnesium, as that is generally found in high calcium veg) or fresh coriander, you should be fine.
Here is a link on how to best source any supplements; you can find it in our Caring for an Ill Piggy section: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...vitamin-c-overview-with-product-links.115404/
 
Watching this with interest and looking forward to your guide to pellets @helen105281 I bought Science Selective vetcare multi modal plus with the hope I could get the boys onto it from standard science selective but no chance, they won't touch it even if there's nothing else. My major issue is I want them on a lower calcium pellet for Angus and Struan's bladder health but Struan doesn't really eat much apart from pellets and hay so if I change and he won't eat it then maintaining his weight is a nightmare......
 
I completely understand, Piggyfan had the same issue in that she had a small pig who could not lose any weight. She is feeding the Vitakraft instead as they seem to like that. Bunny is better for bladder issues though as it has less fruit. It definitely suits my IC pigs. I can always send you a sample to see what your boys think, I have just had my 2 bags delivered today so have plenty.
 
sophieandhoney said:
I forgot to say!

I shall order the expensive pellets.... what about a vitamin c supplement?
Click to expand...

A little tip when ordering the Bunny pellets is if you're already dealing with Zooplus see if you have any discount vouchers or emails with discount codes. I did this & saved 10% & ordered 2 bags which meant an extra saving. If you're not already buying from Zooplus they often have introductory discounts when you sign up to emails x
 
Just wanted to do a little update :)

So the results were lots of calcium in Honey's bladder which was making it painful to wee. This is what I have done to help.

1.I have cut out spinach and kale completely.

2.I have started to filter their water (!)

3. They now have timothy hay as it is lower in calcium(and no more readi grass as I can't get a clear idea re calcium)

4. Also fed them the "bunny" pellets from zooplus (link above) mixed in with excel - they LOVE them!

5. For another week the only veg they are getting is baby corn, celery, pepper, tomatoes(baby ones) and cucumber. I will introduce other lower calcium

Honey gets 2 mls of metacam every day and no longer squeaks.

Two problems

1. what do I bed them on now? Timothy hay is too expensive to use as a bedding?
2. Lola and Honey seem to be very grumpy with each other.

Thank you ALL so much for being here your knowledge and advice have been so helpful
XX
x
 
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