• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Arthritis Advice Please

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

Ellen Cookie

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 30, 2015
Messages
161
Reaction score
78
Points
275
Location
Devon, England
Hi, I have four gpigs, one of which - Brian - is 6 years old. They are outdoors gpigs and have a cosy two storey hutch and a run :-) Took them to the vets for a checkup today and mentioned how Brian isn't moving as well as he used to in his back legs, and she diagnosed arthritis. She explained the medication and that there were potential side effects regarding liver and kidney function in older piggies like Brian. Can anyone recommend how I could ease his arthritis without taking the medication route?
 
The only other way to ease arthritis is long term supplements but these will not stop the pain. At 6 years old I would be more inclined to just give him the pain relief and not worry as much about the liver and kidneys. Damage doesn't always occur and usually it's over a long period of time. At this age I would be more worried about ensuring your little one has a good quality of life and pain free.

x
 
I did give my old lady long term low dose metacam when she was struggling with arthritis in her knees. I'm afraid you have to balance quality of life against the side effects. My old lady was sitting in her own pee rather than moving about as she was so sore. She improved and was much happier after we gave the metacam, but we had to work at getting her the lowest dose that still had a therapeutic effect -so we had to decrease it and increase it at times.

I t helps if you remove all obstacles like hay trays so they can reach everything without having to climb. Also keep them as dry and as warm as possible (heat pads help to ease the aches also.

Other member on here give their piggies glucosamine. I will tag @helen105281 who I'm sure has given her piggies glucosamine.
 
Abi_nurse said:
The only other way to ease arthritis is long term supplements but these will not stop the pain. At 6 years old I would be more inclined to just give him the pain relief and not worry as much about the liver and kidneys. Damage doesn't always occur and usually it's over a long period of time. At this age I would be more worried about ensuring your little one has a good quality of life and pain free.

x
Click to expand...

My Nerys, who is now 7 years old, has been on a regular low dose of metacam for two years now for her arthritis. She has more quality of life while she lives that I accept the fact that she may live a month or two shorter.

You can also look at a vegetarian glucosamine supplement if she has bone arthritis; it can additionally improve her state.
 
I was going to suggest glucosamine too :) You'd be best putting him on a nice soft bed that will stay dry like VetBed so he doesn't get too much pee on him or rub his legs sore. Apparently a 20min session a day on a massage pad can help :)
 
Thanks everyone, some very useful comments there. My inclination is pain relief as I would never want him to suffer. Have already got heat pads and will aim to encourage him to sit on them. Will keep you posted.
 
Just been reading up on Oxbow Natural Science Joint Support for Small Animals, seems like a good option for Brian. Has anyone else used it before?
 
i have got a guinea pig hows 5 years old and is doing realy well apart from the fact that she waddles a bit on her back legs. it does not seem to be bothering her but i was thinking it could be arthritis. should i take her to the vets or get her some of these oxbow natural science joint support?
 
Ellen Cookie said:
Just been reading up on Oxbow Natural Science Joint Support for Small Animals, seems like a good option for Brian. Has anyone else used it before?
Click to expand...

it's one of those supplements that may or may not work. some people swear by them and others think that they contain such small amounts of the ingredient that it wouldn't do much. maybe ask the vets advice (their opinions also seem to be divided on things like this though) and it could be a good addition alongside metacam :)
 
gigglepigs said:
i have got a guinea pig hows 5 years old and is doing realy well apart from the fact that she waddles a bit on her back legs. it does not seem to be bothering her but i was thinking it could be arthritis. should i take her to the vets or get her some of these oxbow natural science joint support?
Click to expand...
That's exactly how Brian is - just a bit waddly but in himself very perky and eating fine. I am going to give the oxbow natural science joint support a go, then move to metacam if necessary :roll:
 
biscandmatt said:
it's one of those supplements that may or may not work. some people swear by them and others think that they contain such small amounts of the ingredient that it wouldn't do much. maybe ask the vets advice (their opinions also seem to be divided on things like this though) and it could be a good addition alongside metacam :)
Click to expand...
Thanks, I am going to give it a go and then move to metacam later if necessary. Keen to give metacam a try but am also intrigued to see if the Oxbow supplement works :)
 
Ellen Cookie said:
That's exactly how Brian is - just a bit waddly but in himself very perky and eating fine. I am going to give the oxbow natural science joint support a go, then move to metacam if necessary :roll:
Click to expand...
okay thanks i'll give the oxbow natural science joint support a go. its just realy expensive online do you know a good website to get it from?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top