Older piggie not feeling well/agitated with cage mate?

[merrypiglets]

Gizmo is my pig who I've had for the past 5 years. He has also lived with his cage mate Captain for that entire time. Until the past year Gizmo was always the very healthy one out of my pigs. He's the more dominant pig in the cage with Captain and they have had some small dominance battles in the past such as grinding teeth, nose in the air, mounting (often Gizmo doing so), puffy fur but never actually fighting just annoyance with one another. Recently Gizmo has been very agitated with Captain. No matter what the occurrence is, Gizmo is often grinding his teeth at Captain or me Earlier this year Gizmo was diagnosed with kidney stones and recommended by the vet to just stick to daily pain killers and advised not to go through with surgery. Gizmo occasionally pees blood but he seemed fine since he was diagnosed for a couple of months but the past month I will occasionally see him pee a little blood and the flavor of his pain killer medicine got changed and he absolutely hates it so I feel terrible when I have to give it to him He has always been skittish but it has gotten so much worse recently. He looks so afraid and upset because he will grind his teeth. He sleeps most of the day away which is uncommon for him. He just genuinely seems very down. Is he in a lot of pain and just trying not to show it? If anyone can help it would be appreciated... He seems like his normal self sometimes and then like a different pig the next minute. How should I deal with him being upset with Captain? (I forgot to mention Gizmo was diagnosed with arthritis last year) *Attached is a picture of Gizmo burrowing in some towels and blankets for fun*

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, I think it best to speak to your vet again, the changes in behaviour you describe are quite likely due to pain so he may need his pain meds increasing or have an additional type of pain relief too.
you say the flavour of his meds changed. Do you mean the manufactures changed the flavour or were you switched to a different brand? The most commonly prescribed pain relief in the UK is metacam/loxicom which most pigs really enjoy, it is nicer for them if they enjoy their meds and less stressful too so speak to your vet about this too.

 

[Siikibam]

about speaking to the vet again.
@Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns @furryfriends (TEAS) @VickiA

 

[Piggies&buns]

It does sound like it could be pain and speaking to the vet again would be the best thing to do.

 

[Wiebke]

Gizmo is my pig who I've had for the past 5 years. He has also lived with his cage mate Captain for that entire time. Until the past year Gizmo was always the very healthy one out of my pigs. He's the more dominant pig in the cage with Captain and they have had some small dominance battles in the past such as grinding teeth, nose in the air, mounting (often Gizmo doing so), puffy fur but never actually fighting just annoyance with one another. Recently Gizmo has been very agitated with Captain. No matter what the occurrence is, Gizmo is often grinding his teeth at Captain or me Earlier this year Gizmo was diagnosed with kidney stones and recommended by the vet to just stick to daily pain killers and advised not to go through with surgery. Gizmo occasionally pees blood but he seemed fine since he was diagnosed for a couple of months but the past month I will occasionally see him pee a little blood and the flavor of his pain killer medicine got changed and he absolutely hates it so I feel terrible when I have to give it to him He has always been skittish but it has gotten so much worse recently. He looks so afraid and upset because he will grind his teeth. He sleeps most of the day away which is uncommon for him. He just genuinely seems very down. Is he in a lot of pain and just trying not to show it? If anyone can help it would be appreciated... He seems like his normal self sometimes and then like a different pig the next minute. How should I deal with him being upset with Captain? (I forgot to mention Gizmo was diagnosed with arthritis last year) *Attached is a picture of Gizmo burrowing in some towels and blankets for fun*

Hi!

Please contact the vet again; he needs another check and likely an adjustment of any pain medication.
I assume that Gizmo has been the more dominant of the two and is no longer feeling able to hold up the claim?
See whether the two are happier with a grid divider they can interact through but have their own territory each. They will remain bonded.

PS: Have you made any dietary changes re. filtering water and reducing the amount of pellets (the two areas where actually most of the calcium in the diet comes from) as well as reviewing the veg mix you feed in order to minimise any further stone formation?
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Unfortunately kidney stone ops and even removing stones from the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys with the bladder) are right at the limit of veterinary ability and very often fail.

 

[VickiA]

I agree - this sounds like a pain response to me, so I would ask the vet to re examine and review his pain relief.

 

[Merab]

As a fellow sufferer of kidney stones I sympathise with Gizmo.
Pain relief is vital so I agree with the others - vet trip is needed.
Hope he can pass the stone quickly