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Supplement for arthritis and bladder

Spaniel

Spaniel

Teenage Guinea Pig
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If you have a senior piggy with both arthritis and bladder inflammation, could you tell me which supplements you use and whether you discussed with the vet before using or just got on with it.

The 4 joints has been mentioned on Perry’s thread but wondered if there were any others. Perry is already on metacam and cerenia (this cerenia course ends today)

Ive messaged the vets to ask. If anyone uses Ashleigh Vets and has already discussed with them, this would be extra helpful!

Thanks :)
 
I have 2 on long term Metacam for arthritis, one was on Cystease for bladder issues. My vet recommended I look for a better supplement for both conditions as she felt although Cystease is better than nothing for the arthritis there are better supplements available. I found 4joints and the vet approved it. It contains Chrondroitin as well as Glucosamine both are recommended for arthritis. The other plus for 4joints is it tastes sweet and mine will take it from the syringe in the cage along with the Metacam. In fact they love it so much they think it's a treat and if I'm running a bit late they remind me it's time by biting the bars and shouting at me!
 
I have used both Cystease and 4joints with the ok of a vet at Ashleigh Vets. They were happy with them being given as they were supplements rather than a medication.
 
The vet said Perry could try either the Oxbow or Sherwood joint and bladder supplements, said there’s no scientific data that these types of products work but that they won’t do any harm and hopefully might help.
 
Have anyone had a pig who’s X-rays showed mild/early arthritis but they seemed to need a second painkiller? This is what the vet wants to try next if/when needed.
 
piggieminder said:
Mine have Gabapentin as a second painkiller if/when needed.
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What symptoms do you notice when you decide to give it? Do you find it helps much?

With Perry, when he’s flared, it’s like he’s twinged something a little, does a little noise but then he’s ok. I feel like sometimes he can’t stretch forward and down very well. So he likes his hay in piles and his recovery food off a spoon held up for him, those types of things.

Not sure whether to trial a supplement or another painkiller. He’s ok majority of the time, as long as he’s kept warm.
 
Brillo cries when he poops due to the position he needs to stand and Red cries when he wees. The vet told me they often get bladder sludge which can be scratchy and painful to pass because they don't stand correctly to get rid of the calcium and it builds up. Gabapentin works well but it needs to be given for sometime to build up. I usually give it for 10 to 14 days after a squeaky flare. Eventually they will probably need it all the time but we are trying to keep it in hand for now rather than give them a lot of meds.
 
piggieminder said:
Brillo cries when he poops due to the position he needs to stand and Red cries when he wees. The vet told me they often get bladder sludge which can be scratchy and painful to pass because they don't stand correctly to get rid of the calcium and it builds up. Gabapentin works well but it needs to be given for sometime to build up. I usually give it for 10 to 14 days after a squeaky flare. Eventually they will probably need it all the time but we are trying to keep it in hand for now rather than give them a lot of meds.
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Poor piggies. So sad when they make little pain noises. I think it’s the toileting position for Perry too sometimes.

He’s bright and happy today but it’s good to know we have something else to try when needed :)
 
piggieminder said:
I have 2 on long term Metacam for arthritis, one was on Cystease for bladder issues. My vet recommended I look for a better supplement for both conditions as she felt although Cystease is better than nothing for the arthritis there are better supplements available. I found 4joints and the vet approved it. It contains Chrondroitin as well as Glucosamine both are recommended for arthritis. The other plus for 4joints is it tastes sweet and mine will take it from the syringe in the cage along with the Metacam. In fact they love it so much they think it's a treat and if I'm running a bit late they remind me it's time by biting the bars and shouting at me!
Click to expand...

I second Johnson's 4joints strong liquid for dogs (UK brand available in pet shops and online).

It is making a real difference in terms of mobility, appetite and quality of life for my arthritis piggies (who are also on daily or even twice daily metacam in the more advanced stages) but at the same time it takes implicitly care of any urinary tract glucosamine needs because it automtically also replenishes the glucosamine needed for the walls of the urinary tract.
 
Spaniel said:
The vet said she doesn’t recommend the 4 joints :no:

I ordered the Oxbow joint support which came today but Perry was very offended by them so I’ll keep offering but I don’t think he’ll try them. Lola did of course!
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Oxbow joint support is pretty low dosed anyway.
 
Spaniel said:
The vet said she doesn’t recommend the 4 joints :no:

I ordered the Oxbow joint support which came today but Perry was very offended by them so I’ll keep offering but I don’t think he’ll try them. Lola did of course!
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That's surprising if it was one of the vets at Ashleigh as they have always been ok with me giving 4Joints to my piggies.
 
Spaniel said:
Which vet said yes to you if you don’t mind me asking?
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I have seen all the exotics vets but mainly Aris and Federica recently (occasionally Aiden) as our favourite vet Lianne left the practice. I wouldn't like to say for definite which vet said it was ok but i always mention any supplements i am giving when i take a piggy in for a consultation and none have ever said the i shouldn't give 4Joints (or Cystease).
 
If Perry won’t eat the Oxbow joint support, can Lola have them? She’s 4 years old but doesn’t have any joint issues. I guess they won’t do her any harm? She really likes them because she’s a foodie and will eat anything :))
 
My boy Mischievous Master Boris is like that. When Dignified Sir George gets treated for a UTI I have to take him out for meds or it all gets stolen 😁
 
fluffysal said:
My boy Mischievous Master Boris is like that. When Dignified Sir George gets treated for a UTI I have to take him out for meds or it all gets stolen 😁
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She’s insane honestly! I let her have a taster of the recovery food syringe and she chewed through it in two bites! Then I tried the spoon but she grabbed it and ran off! She’s a little rascal. The rescue warned us that she was a foodie :)):luv:
 
At least they should be easy to deal with if they ever need treatment for anything 🤣
 
Perry decided to try some tonight after seeing Lola happily crunching away right beside him :))

They’re quite hard I think so he only had a quarter but that’s fine :)
 
I recommend Eurologist for chronic bladder issues. It's a herb mix that's really good for prevention and recovery support. RodiCare has a great range of supplements for all kinds of issues including arthritis and bladder problems, although they can be a bit difficult to get hold of in the UK.
 
piggieminder said:
Brillo cries when he poops due to the position he needs to stand and Red cries when he wees. The vet told me they often get bladder sludge which can be scratchy and painful to pass because they don't stand correctly to get rid of the calcium and it builds up. Gabapentin works well but it needs to be given for sometime to build up. I usually give it for 10 to 14 days after a squeaky flare. Eventually they will probably need it all the time but we are trying to keep it in hand for now rather than give them a lot of meds.
Click to expand...
Helpful to know. We’ve just started Chips on it this afternoon. Not easy to get hold of. He squeaks when toileting. Already been on Metacam for an ear infection and that didn’t help with this issue. Good luck with yours. 🤞
 
@Idris Mine haven't which is a shame. They come to the bars eagerly for their Metacam and 4joints but I have to take them out of the cage for Gabapentin. Although they haven't had any for some time, fingers crossed they won't need it again. I'm not really happy having to pick them up 2/3 times a day to give them something they don't like, it's a necessary evil but it undermines their trust.
 
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