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Metacam Or Not

Devyn50

Devyn50

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Cincinnati, Ohio..U.S.
Hamlet, had stroke, won't eat hay, only some pellets and soft vegies. Gets supplemental meals of critical care. Vet states because of neroulogical damage to right side of head, he can't chew well. Said will need critical care feedings for life. If not eating pellets, he sits all hunched up and sleeps, next to bowl. Vet said probably not in pain and if he gets pain meds he will want to eat more and that's a problem. So no pain meds..teeth are fine. What are your thoughts about no pain meds. I'm willing to feed him for whatever life he has remaining but don't want him in pain. He is 14 months old and weighs between 497 and 515 grams and is very small. We had to separate hamlet from his much bigger cage mate, per vets suggestion of harm. Hamlet did not interact with his cage mate, ever. He does wheek for food.
 
@Devyn50 Metacam is an anti-inflammatory so if your pig has neurological damage then it could help with any pressure or inflammation in the area.

I don't understand why the vet doesn't want him to eat more, what did they say? If he's only 500g then eating more could only be a good thing in my opinion.
 
This vet seemed to believe, hamlet will not survive too long and that making him hungrier would not be good for him
 
I would be looking for a second opinion to be honest. Your vet clearly expects your piggy to pass soon as eating no hay will allow his teeth to overgrow quickly so dental treatments may need to be factored in. If your piggy is hunching up then it does sound like he's in pain and I think it's unfair to not provide relief over fears that he will feel hungry
 
I agree with above posters that you should please seek another opinion. You piggy is very low in weight and can do with any extra. Metacam is not just a painkiller, but also a mild anti-inflammatory and should hopefully help to make the chewing easier. Hunching up is generally a sign of pain/discomfort.

Please also be aware that minimal or uneven chewing can lead rather to dental overgrowth.

As to how much/how often to syringe feed, please have a look in our syringe feeding guide: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
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