Metacam cause urinary issues?

[Engel]

I have 2 pigs on Loxicom for 2 different reasons (one for haypoke the other for castration). Yet both are now uncomfortable when peeing.

I have asked if Loxicom (meloxicam/metacam) can irritate the bladder/cause UTI. I've found it can in humans but can't find anything regarding guinea pigs. The vet I saw today is more a general small animal vet and as she wasn't sure, she phoned the exotic specialist within the group and they too couldn't find anything in the literature and hadn't come across it before. They mentioned that there isn't much research regarding exotics in general. So theyve noted what metacam can do in people and has said that they're not going to rule out metacam as a cause to the discomfort both pigs are in while peeing.

It could just be a coincidence, but I find it strange how both pigs are showing the same symptoms days after starting metacam. Anyone else had this issue?

 

[Wiebke]

I have 2 pigs on Loxicom for 2 different reasons (one for haypoke the other for castration). Yet both are now uncomfortable when peeing.

I have asked if Loxicom (meloxicam/metacam) can irritate the bladder/cause UTI. I've found it can in humans but can't find anything regarding guinea pigs. The vet I saw today is more a general small animal vet and as she wasn't sure, she phoned the exotic specialist within the group and they too couldn't find anything in the literature and hadn't come across it before. They mentioned that there isn't much research regarding exotics in general. So theyve noted what metacam can do in people and has said that they're not going to rule out metacam as a cause to the discomfort both pigs are in while peeing.

It could just be a coincidence, but I find it strange how both pigs are showing the same symptoms days after starting metacam. Anyone else had this issue?

Hi!

To our knowledge and forum experience there is no link. It is more likely that a urinary bug has been passed on between them via scent marking (the tiny scent gland is sited in front of the genital opening) so this is a very common way of passing on problems.
The fact that they are both on loxicom means that their immune system is currently lowered and is making them more susceptible to opportunistic illnesses, fungal infections or parasites.

It is much more likely the other way round than you seem to think - the link is not the loxicom but an already impacted health that cannot - as normal - fend of these things and keep them under control. We also had recently some rather cold nights.

 

[Engel]

Yes that makes sense, but how could it have passed across? I wash my hands between pigs, bedding is washed at 60°. They're in different cages and don't have contact.

Edit: they shared the same puppy pad. Basil went on Monday, Mia went on Tuesday in the same carrier, same pee pad. It was clean so didn't think to change it. Basil was showing signs of something but wasn't found to have anything wrong at the time.

Could that be been it?

 

[Wiebke]

Yes that makes sense, but how could it have passed across? I wash my hands between pigs, bedding is washed at 60°. They're in different cages and don't have contact.

Faecal bacteria are pretty much always around and very often get into the urinary tract but are usually kept under control by a fully working immune system. They could also have been picked it up via your clothing - it is often not easy to work it out. We had some rather cold nights recently, which would have contributed. Or it could be indeed a coincidence; they do happen.

But metacam/loxicom doesn't cause urinary tract symptoms.

 

[Engel]

Faecal bacteria are pretty much always around and very often get into the urinary tract but are usually kept under control by a fully working immune system. They could have also picked it up via your clothing - it is often not easy to work it out. We had some rather cold nights recently, which would have contributed. Or it could be indeed a coincidence; they do happen.

But metacam/loxicom doesn't cause urinary tract symptoms.

Ok, thank you Wiebke