• 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

Foot

mls18

mls18

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 20, 2021
Messages
555
Reaction score
268
Points
475
Location
massachussets
My guinea pig was meant to be on pain medication for two weeks until his foot got better, the two weeks were over this Monday when I gave him his last dose. He was totally fine after that, it seemed like his leg was almost better, he was able to walk around as normal. But just now I found him laying down not being able to get up, he's back to how he was two weeks ago. Could the pain medication have taken that long to wear off? Is that why he can't move again?(he was on metacam, 9 ml I think it was) how long does metacam take to wear off?
 
Hmm I'd get him back to the vet ASAP.
I think the last dose of metacam would have well worn off after three days for sure, piggies metabolise it really quickly.
There must be something going on there if he's reverted like this so quickly after finishing his metacam poor little man.
Maybe an xray is in order to check for breaks or fractures?
Best of luck! 🤞
 
Wheekallweek said:
Hmm I'd get him back to the vet ASAP.
I think the last dose of metacam would have well worn off after three days for sure, piggies metabolise it really quickly.
There must be something going on there if he's reverted like this so quickly after finishing his metacam poor little man.
Maybe an xray is in order to check for breaks or fractures?
Best of luck! 🤞
Click to expand...
Thanks so much, I'm currently trying to get him to a vet.
 
As most vets recommend giving rodents pain meds twice a day, 12hrs apart, I'd assume within 12hrs it start wearing off. I don't think it builds up and stays in the system like some other medications do although I could be wrong.

What's wrong with his leg, do you know? If he's back to how he was I'd get him seen. Is he still eating and maintaining his weight?
 
Engel said:
As most vets recommend giving rodents pain meds twice a day, 12hrs apart, I'd assume within 12hrs it start wearing off. I don't think it builds up and stays in the system like some other medications do although I could be wrong.

What's wrong with his leg, do you know? If he's back to how he was I'd get him seen. Is he still eating and maintaining his weight?
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'm not sure whats wrong with it but i want to get an X-ray done. Hes eating but not as much as before
 
Does giving Metacam over a long period of time have bad side effects? Is it like Motrin and damages organs?
Also if i choose to get an X-ray would they put him under anesthesia? if they do have to put him under anesthesia, would it be better to just not get it done?
 
mls18 said:
Thanks, I'm not sure whats wrong with it but i want to get an X-ray done. Hes eating but not as much as before
Click to expand...
Maybe get some imagery done to rule out anything bone related. How old is he? Could there be a possibility of arthritis?

If you've noticed a decrease in food consumption maybe top him up with some syringe feed. Pain can stop a piggy eating which can make it worse, so I'd step in with some critical care or mushed pellets and weigh daily/every other day to make sure his weight stays stable while you work out the best course of treatment/management with your vet.
 
Metacam is well tolerated long term in rodents. We have many whose piggies will be on metacam long term for arthritis for example. But it’s about balancing them not being in pain against any effects. My elderly rabbit (of course not a rodent) was on high dose of dog metacam for months due to arthritis.

For an x ray, a bit of sedative is often needed - a quick whiff of gas for example and that is sometimes it.
 
mls18 said:
Does giving Metacam over a long period of time have bad side effects? Is it like Motrin and damages organs?
Also if i choose to get an X-ray would they put him under anesthesia? if they do have to put him under anesthesia, would it be better to just not get it done?
Click to expand...
I think in America there's an option to not sedate guinea pigs. Here in the UK I believe it's done in a matter of course.

Guinea pigs and other rodents metabolise metacam quite well and can be on higher doses for long periods of time with little to no side effects.

In the ideal world, knowing what's going on is the best as you know what your dealing with and best way to treat it.
 
Engel said:
I think in America there's an option to not sedate guinea pigs. Here in the UK I believe it's done in a matter of course.

Guinea pigs and other rodents metabolise metacam quite well and can be on higher doses for long periods of time with little to no side effects.

In the ideal world, knowing what's going on is the best as you know what your dealing with and best way to treat it.
Click to expand...
Ok, thanks so much!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top