Preventing Arthritis?

[MWpiggies]

Hello everyone, I have been reading a lot about guinea pigs with arthritis and was wondering if there is anything I can do now to prevent it from happening to Eddie (currently 1yr 8 mon). I have heard joint supplements might help, and I will be getting him a new, larger C&C cage for him to stretch his little legs. I was hoping as he gets older I will be prepared to lessen the chances of him getting it. Is it possible to prevent? If so, how can I prevent it? or is it just genetics?
Thank you!

 

[MWpiggies]

Also, what are the symptoms of arthritis in piggies?

 

[Siikibam]

Unfortunately I don’t think there is anything you can do to prevent it.

 

[rudent]

I'm not sure there's anything you can do to prevent it but I can share some of the symptoms I've consistently seen in my pigs. The first is that they change how they walk, looking stiff and holding their butts higher up than usual. They often end up standing awkwardly, so small portions of the feet look bright red/sore while the rest of the foot looks like it's barely used. That comes along with standing on their back heels with the toes lifted off the ground. You can also feel stiffness in the limbs when stretching them out (while pig is sitting up against your chest). If you're worried about it, it might be worth noting how flexible each of his joints are now so that you have a reference point later on in his life to see how much his mobility might have reduced. Gently stretch/rotate the leg around the hip, knee, and hock -- my boar's hocks are completely fused now so the difference is significant. My boar also squeaks in mild discomfort when he stretches his back legs out, and doesn't lie as comfortably as my two girls -- he won't stretch his legs out while sleeping, for example. And lastly, when the back legs are affected, piggies sometimes do little hops with the back legs instead of walking normally when they get up to speed.

Honestly, though, I wouldn't worry about it too much. My pig's on a low dosage of painkiller/antiinflammatory twice daily & it really doesn't affect him much, I just have to take care of his red feet so he doesn't get bumblefoot. He's perfectly happy and able to do everything he used to. Also, your piggy is so young you won't need to worry about it for a few more years. Hope this helps. :^)

 

[DMS260820]

Sitting in one spot all the time, wet with urine underneath, due to not moving around as much are the things I noticed and a slight bit of weight loss due to no getting about to eat as much. But with some adjustments to the cage, to make things easier, and a bottle of painkiller, it wasn't much of an issue. This is on a 7 year old guinea pig. I wouldn't worry about things anytime soon

 

[MWpiggies]

Thank you! I will try not to worry too much about him, at least not until he's much older and I will make sure to feel his legs next cuddle time.

 

[Swissgreys]

Thank you! I will try not to worry too much about him, at least not until he's much older and I will make sure to feel his legs next cuddle time.

Does he have a guinea pig friend?
Making sure he lives with a companion is the the greatest thing you can offer him in terms of both his physical and mental health.

 

[MWpiggies]

I am in the process of convincing my parents to let me get another piggy friend

 

[DMS260820]

Thank you! I will try not to worry too much about him, at least not until he's much older and I will make sure to feel his legs next cuddle time.

My boar who got arthritis aged 7, he had it mild, and I never see it get worse because he passed away from cancer in the end. But his brother had no signs of arthirits when he was age 6, but I lost him from a kidney stone, but whether he would have got arthritis or not, I will never know. A nice big cage and healthy diet and not being overweight should help