Severe Arthritis/Urine Scald

[Puffy]

Hi. I am struggling with knowing what the right thing to do here. I have an 8 year old guinea pig, Bubbles, who has been on metacam (0.35ml of the cat suspension) for arthritis and had been doing really well until about month ago where I noticed she was having a soiled bum which I had been wiping but she was still relatively active. Just over a week ago, she slowed down significantly - she would pop her head out for food (would bring the food to her) and I notice that she had mild urine scald. She's been started on gabapentin and enrocare. I have been bathing her bum daily (which she hates) and regularly changing bedding/pee pads (fleece).

The urine scale is improving but I am worried about the prognosis of her overall decision. Her arthritis is pretty bad - she basically drags the back legs, and she moves as little as she can. She's always been a fighter and I worry now that she may be fighting to live but suffering. She still eats treats with zeal but she's definitely more fussy with other food. She's maintaining her weight. She's definitely more subdued and she's been quite cuddly when I hold her (she's only usually cuddly when she's unwell or when she lost a cage mate). I feel she's in that grey area where you could argue persisting with the metacam and gabapentin for the weeks/months that she has left but also could argue that maybe she's starting to show signs of early suffering and maybe it would be kinder to euthanise her now rather than to wait for her to be really suffering before making that call. I know this is a very personal decision and only I can make that decision. But I am struggling to know what the right thing to do is.

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry to hear you are going through this. Has the vet thought about a higher dose of metacam? Dog Metacam I have seemed being prescribed in higher doses of 0.4ml twice a day and it is stronger than cat Metacam. Maybe worth speaking to them about, the dose range will of course depend on Bubbles weight… but if you are feeling this is last chance to try to improve their quality of life then we’ll worth researching with a vet.

Sadly there comes a time when PTS is the last act of love we can make for our piggies, I am sorry you are feeling that decision is closer.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

HUGS

You could try and see whether Johnson's 4joints strong dog liquid (UK only product) will help with the mobility; it is however not an instant quick fix as it needs a few weeks to really build up. It is the easiest way of giving the glucosamine and added joint substances but it can make quite a difference - including giving mobility back to some arthritic piggies that have lost it.

For the urine scald I would recommend leucillin (available online) or asking your vet for flamazine cream (silver-sulfiadizine) - if available. It is now prescription-only now in the UK. I would also recommend that you switch to vetbed bedding for the denning area, cut the fabric into smaller squares which you can easily change 2-3 times a day to minimise the risk of urine scald and bumblefoot.

You can find lots more practical tips and information for looking after piggies with mobility issues in this guide here: Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility


It is very tough when you are so conflicted. You do not want to lose a beloved one but you do not want them to suffer, either. There is no right or wrong in that; they are both very legitimate feelings.

Have a thought about whether you would like to give your oldie one last chance at improving their condition or whether you feel that they have already gone too far in their loss of quality and zest for life. It is always hardest when you come close to the edge but are just not quite there yet because as a loving and responsible owner you inevitably start question yourself constantly because the responsibility is lying fully on you with no clear pointers and no clear one solution fits all cases advice. Once you come up to the line of no return, you will usually know.

 

[Puffy]

Thanks for the advice/recommendations. I see I can get leucillin from Pets at Home so have ordered some to collect.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the advice/recommendations. I see I can get leucillin from Pets at Home so have ordered some to collect.

Pets@home also have Johnson's 4joints for dogs (please don't say that it is for a guinea pig).

 

[Wheekallweek]

Sorry to hear you are going through this. Has the vet thought about a higher dose of metacam? Dog Metacam I have seemed being prescribed in higher doses of 0.4ml twice a day and it is stronger than cat Metacam. Maybe worth speaking to them about, the dose range will of course depend on Bubbles weight… but if you are feeling this is last chance to try to improve their quality of life then we’ll worth researching with a vet.

Sadly there comes a time when PTS is the last act of love we can make for our piggies, I am sorry you are feeling that decision is closer.

I wonder too if a higher dose of metacam is an option? Dog metacam would be an idea.

Good luck

 

[Puffy]

I wonder too if a higher dose of metacam is an option? Dog metacam would be an idea.

Good luck

Thanks. Had a look at the package leaflet in the box, it looks like she's on an equivalent of 0.2mg/kg which is standard post operative dose that's been licensed but it also states can have doses up to 0.5mg/kg so definitely looks like there's room to increase dose.