Arthritis in guinea pig (no mobility)

[Mirandalynn22]

Hello. My girl Zoey is 8 years old. August 13th, I found her unwilling to use her back legs but dragging them. I rushed her to the vet where we discovered on xrays that she has some pretty severe arthritis in her spine and right knee. She was prescribed 1.5mg meloxicam at a dose of .12ml once a day with high hopes that we should see improvements within a few days. That first day or 2, she would stand up for small bursts but after a week, we had no improvement and actually quite the decline. She wouldn't even drag around her cage anymore and stays in the exact same spot. I did a ton of research and asked the vet to increase her dosage of the meloxicam (seeing other vets/guinea pig owners say that the higher doses are necessary for this type of pain management). She agreed with my suggestion and we increased the dose to .35ml once a day. It has been about 5 days or so on the higher dosage and while I'm seeing improvement in the pain management part, there is little to no improvement in her mobility. I have kept her in cuddle cups and on heavily padded bedding to prevent pressure sores, changing her pads every couple of hours to keep her clean but she is developing a bit of a pressure sore on the back end of her front foot that she is propping herself up on constantly. Shes eating great, for the most part completely herself other than the fact that she cant move herself around.
She can only lay on her left side, if i try to position her on the right side, she is so visibly uncomfortable, she stiffens up and wont move at all so ive opted to keep her on the side she is most comfortable on.
I have a CBD cream on the way that ive seen rave reviews about for pain management. It should be here tuesday but unfortunately, I called the vet and she seems to be out of options. She suggested she doesnt have high hopes for regaining mobility and we might be at the end of our road with no improvements after 2 weeks but as a last resort, we can try a steroid to see if it can get ahold of that inflammation but she fears theres a possibility of that causing an even bigger decline. She wants me to try the CBD and if there's no improvement, we can then try the steroid. I'm feeling hopeless and almost like I'm going to have to give up even though I'm not ready. I dont know that I can bring myself to let her go... I'm curious if anyone has been through something similar. Is there something we are missing that we could try? Is this something that takes time to heal? I dont want to keep her here in a selfish way, but I also feel like I would be giving up on her. I just want to do right by her

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Zoey is a great age, which is down to your good care and love I'm sure. However, I'm afraid arthritis is something we can't make better, we can only manage the pain. The stiffness and loss of mobility gradually gets worse whatever we try to do.
My last piggy, Squeaks, had severe arthritis when he died aged 7.5 two years ago. He had had it for about a year, along with dental pain, and was on 0.4ml of metacam and also a small dose of gabapentin 3 times a day as a result. In his last week he suddenly became so stiff that first he appeared to be walking on tiptoes on his back legs, then within a day or two he could not walk at all, he could only pull himself around using his front feet. He was still eating everything I gave him though, so I thought he had the will to live.
After a couple of days more I noticed his eyes were looking withdrawn, smaller, which I guess is a sign of pain? At that point I wondered if I should take him to the vet to help him on his way, but didn't because I had some other appointments I had to go to and also I didn't want to lose him. In retrospect, he must have been in pain and hadn't quality of life those last few days, and it would have been kinder for me to make the effort to take him to be pts. That is often said on here to be the last gift of love we can give a suffering piggy (or other pet), to take away their pain though it hurts us so much to do it.

Even two years after Squeaks died I still find it hard to think about the 7 and a half years of good times Squeaks and I had (I adopted him as a 6 week old baby) because I keep remembering those last few days when he wasn't able to be himself any more.

I'm sorry if this all sounds negative, but sadly we can't make arthritis better in the end. But I hope the cbd oil helps Zoey's pain and you have more happy todays with her.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Sorry to hear Zoey isn't well - our piggy Libby who recently passed away lost the use of her back legs (for a different reason though) and it's heartbreaking to see.

We did try steroids but there was no improvement unfortunately, but that's not to say they won't have an effect for your piggy.

Has your vet considered a second pain relief, gabapentin or tramadol for example?

 

[Eriathwen]

I'm sorry about your piggy, I had a similar issue with my almost 9 year old girl Tilly. She had severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. She saw an exotics specialist and one of the things we tried was an injection of ketamine, the way pain is processed, sometimes it can build and build even with no actual decline in physical condition and the ketamine resets the pain receptors. This did actually work in the short term and Tilly regained the ability to walk.

She did also have severe neurological issues which complicated things but towards the end she couldn't do much and her front legs declined to where she couldn't move herself around anymore.

She was on 0.6ml of metacam, 40mg of gabapentin and paracetamol as well, the metacam was 2xs a day and the others were 3xs a day. I found swapping to vet bed really helped her stay dry and clean which stopped her getting any sores so that may be something to consider.

I appreciate the weather isn't great for it but I found taking her outside to sit in the grass did absolute wonders for her mental health and really kept her quality of life up, but I would also bring her grass and fresh forage in from outside, also gentle massage to help with circulation.. little things day to day to keep her spirits up, she loved attention. Unfortunately she never recovered her mobility and passed 2 weeks before her 9th birthday, but she still maintained a good quality of life without it. I hope your piggy is feeling better and, without the neurological complications, can regain some mobility!

Just editing to add I also had a male with extremely arthritic knees to the point he suffered awful impaction that needed clearing multiple times a day, he was given to me by the RSPCA because he needed so much care. We did cartrophen injections for him and he improved so much his impaction fully resolved and he was SO much more comfortable into his old age, just something else you could maybe try.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome
Sadly, old age can come with fully developed, severe arthritis and it is a common cause of death in the very old. It is a progressive illness and there is unfortunately only so much you can slow it down or buffer the pain.

I can second the use of gabapentin as the next class of pain meds up from metacam. It is not spacing out piggies as badly as buprenorphine but you may have to see an exotics vets as general vets may not stock it.

The fact that Zoey has reached this great age and is suffering from advanced arthritis but nothing else major is a testament of your good care (and his good genes). It is never easy by this stage. You are upset about losing younger piggies but the oldies have had a lot more time to extend their own cave in your heart and fill it with precious memories...

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

 

[Merab]

So sorry that your piggy has arthritis.
As others have said her age is a tribute to your love and care.
Holding you in my heart

 

[CTWC]

Please delete if I'm not allowed to suggest the use of Johnson's 4 Joints in addition to pain medication it might help I have an 8 year old at the moment from @Wheekallweek who is using it and I know other members say it helps their piggies with arthritis symptoms

 

[Wheekallweek]

Please delete if I'm not allowed to suggest the use of Johnson's 4 Joints in addition to pain medication it might help I have an 8 year old at the moment from @Wheekallweek who is using it and I know other members say it helps their piggies with arthritis symptoms

I'm sure it would be worth a go!

Lots of ideas here to try - fingers crossed

 

[Mirandalynn22]

Sorry to hear Zoey isn't well - our piggy Libby who recently passed away lost the use of her back legs (for a different reason though) and it's heartbreaking to see.

We did try steroids but there was no improvement unfortunately, but that's not to say they won't have an effect for your piggy.

Has your vet considered a second pain relief, gabapentin or tramadol for example?

I did see gabapentin as an option suggested by others on a forum. She agreed we could add gabapentin to her treatment but that it can be a bit sedative. We discussed that the day we increased her dosage of meloxicam so I opted to wait and see if the increased dosage would help her so I wasnt medicating her up just to keep her here. But then when I called the vet back she suggested the steroid as our "hail mary" and we dont necessarily know the outcome with the possibility of more decline due to the steroids.

 

[Mirandalynn22]

Hi and welcome
Sadly, old age can come with fully developed, severe arthritis and it is a common cause of death in the very old. It is a progressive illness and there is unfortunately only so much you can slow it down or buffer the pain.

I can second the use of gabapentin as the next class of pain meds up from metacam. It is not spacing out piggies as badly as buprenorphine but you may have to see an exotics vets as general vets may not stock it.

The fact that Zoey has reached this great age and is suffering from advanced arthritis but nothing else major is a testament of your good care (and his good genes). It is never easy by this stage. You are upset about losing younger piggies but the oldies have had a lot more time to extend their own cave in your heart and fill it with precious memories...

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

Her vet was willing to try the gabapentin but did warn me it could be a bit sedative. I go back and forth. I would do absolutely anything needed to care for her and keep her comfortable and happy so we have more time together, but I dont know if that is selfish and if I'm just overly medicating her to keep her here with me when her quality of life may not be good. I know 8 years is a great age, but when this time comes it is never easy. Ive had her since she was 6 weeks old. Just a tiny baby who preferred being hand fed, and my mom would laugh at me for putting coconut oil on their feet everyday and spending hundreds on all the custom fleece beds and liners for their cage. My other girl passed at 4 after weeks of no sleep,syringe feeding, and complications. It absolutely broke my heart and Zoey is all I have left. I dont think my heart can handle the loss anymore.

 

[Mirandalynn22]

I'm sorry about your piggy, I had a similar issue with my almost 9 year old girl Tilly. She had severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. She saw an exotics specialist and one of the things we tried was an injection of ketamine, the way pain is processed, sometimes it can build and build even with no actual decline in physical condition and the ketamine resets the pain receptors. This did actually work in the short term and Tilly regained the ability to walk.

She did also have severe neurological issues which complicated things but towards the end she couldn't do much and her front legs declined to where she couldn't move herself around anymore.

She was on 0.6ml of metacam, 40mg of gabapentin and paracetamol as well, the metacam was 2xs a day and the others were 3xs a day. I found swapping to vet bed really helped her stay dry and clean which stopped her getting any sores so that may be something to consider.

I appreciate the weather isn't great for it but I found taking her outside to sit in the grass did absolute wonders for her mental health and really kept her quality of life up, but I would also bring her grass and fresh forage in from outside, also gentle massage to help with circulation.. little things day to day to keep her spirits up, she loved attention. Unfortunately she never recovered her mobility and passed 2 weeks before her 9th birthday, but she still maintained a good quality of life without it. I hope your piggy is feeling better and, without the neurological complications, can regain some mobility!

Just editing to add I also had a male with extremely arthritic knees to the point he suffered awful impaction that needed clearing multiple times a day, he was given to me by the RSPCA because he needed so much care. We did cartrophen injections for him and he improved so much his impaction fully resolved and he was SO much more comfortable into his old age, just something else you could maybe try.

Thank you so much for all the input and kind words. My biggest fear is feeling like I'm selfishly keeping her here when her quality of life is not great. It gives me hope to know that maybe getting the pain under control, I might be able to give her quality of life even if her mobility is gone. I'm curious if you have a link to the vet bed. I'm in the United States so things are a bit different to find here. I will buy absolutely anything or give any kind of care I can to improve her situation and make her comfortable. I have absorbent fleece liners and cuddle cups ive been keeping her on to provide some cushion. It seems to be only the back of her left foot where she is propping herself up constantly that is starting to turn a bit purple like a pressure sore but she seems to be okay otherwise. Ive got some unscented epsom salt and I'm going to soak that foot and apply some coconut oil but I'm open to any suggestions!

 

[CTWC]

You are clearly a very loving and caring person who I'm sure will do the very best for her always and you're right it doesn't matter what their age we always want more time with them I will look for some links for the vet bed.
I think someone on here had made a v shaped pillow out of a sock for one of their guineas with mobility problems can any of you remember?

 

[CTWC]

"VetBed USA | Whelping pads | Vet Fleece - Gator Kennels" VetBed

 

[CTWC]

This is the joint care if you want to try it I'll see if I can find a supplier to America "Johnsons Vet 4 Joints Mobility Liquid, 100 ml : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies" Amazon.co.uk

 

[CTWC]

Support cushion?

 

[Wheekallweek]

We've got a pig who's on and off tramadol due to bladder stones. It has no sedative effect on him at all, although obviously every pig is different.
May be worth a go - at least you know you've tried extra paint relief, and if it doesn't work for her, you've exhausted all options.

Have you seen the guide on pigs with limited mobility @Wiebke created? It was really helpful when we were struggling with what to do for Libby.

You can find it here

 

[Mirandalynn22]

This is the joint care if you want to try it I'll see if I can find a supplier to America "Johnsons Vet 4 Joints Mobility Liquid, 100 ml : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies" Amazon.co.uk

I cant thank you enough for all the help and suggestions! The shipping for the vetbed you linked is over $20 for me, unfortunately. But I think I found the same thing on ebay so I am going to get that ordered for her because her poor bum does seem to be pretty damp at times. Hopefully that will have her much more comfortable!
I do have her taking 1 Oxbow Joint tablet everyday so I'm not sure if that is the same type of thing, I just immediately ordered it once I saw it could be helpful for her situation and her vet encouraged it! Please let me know if you think I should switch to the Johnsons!

 

[Mirandalynn22]

We've got a pig who's on and off tramadol due to bladder stones. It has no sedative effect on him at all, although obviously every pig is different.
May be worth a go - at least you know you've tried extra paint relief, and if it doesn't work for her, you've exhausted all options.

Have you seen the guide on pigs with limited mobility @Wiebke created? It was really helpful when we were struggling with what to do for Libby.

You can find it here

Thank you so much for linking that guide! It gave me so much valuable information for giving her the best care I can, but most of all it gave me hope and reassurance that she can live a quality of life this way with the proper care and I dont have to let her go right away. I'm happy to do all I can to keep her happy and comfortable and care for her in her old age but I never wanted to keep her here selfishly if she is suffering and just cant tell me.
But she is eating, sassy as ever, eating up all the love and snuggles and her pain seems to be a bit more managed with the higher dose of meloxicam. I wouldn't say completely gone, because she definitely let's me know when I'm moving her around that she isnt too happy about it, but she definitely seems to be handling it better than before without whimpering the entire time. I may mention the tramadol to her vet to see what she thinks for her situation. Gabapentin is what we were worried might be a bit sedative.

 

[Mirandalynn22]

We've got a pig who's on and off tramadol due to bladder stones. It has no sedative effect on him at all, although obviously every pig is different.
May be worth a go - at least you know you've tried extra paint relief, and if it doesn't work for her, you've exhausted all options.

Have you seen the guide on pigs with limited mobility @Wiebke created? It was really helpful when we were struggling with what to do for Libby.

You can find it here

Sorry I'm seeing now that you suggested the tramadol instead of the gabapentin because it wasnt as sedative. Thank you! My only concern (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the tramadol alone likely wouldnt target the inflammation that comes with arthritis like the meloxicam does. Meloxicam is all we have tried so far so I am happy to try anything that will give her the best shot as I have no experience with arthritis in piggies. I have no idea what medications work best for these situations and I'm learning every step of the way.

 

[Wheekallweek]

@Mirandalynn22 fantastic - its a brilliant guide that did much the same for us when we were struggling with Libby.

You are correct in that tramadol is not an anti inflammatory - we use it alongside meloxicam for that reason

 

[Storm1974]

Hi,

I looked up one of my healing frequency subscriptions called spryfuel and found a couple of frequency music audios that you could play for Zoe, to see if they will help, along side all the other things you are doing.....

Ultimate Pain Relief Therapy for Joint Pain - Arthritis Healing
- YouTube

Heal joints (frequency therapy) - joint pain frequencies
- YouTube

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Hi and welcome.
Not fully read all your messages but on personal experience
A piggie will cope with many things including leg use loss.
What is importance is quality of life for the piggie. If a balance of eating and poop is achieved then great.
A piggie eats to live not forced to eat
8 a massive age wow xx

 

[YoungjF]

Hello. My girl Zoey is 8 years old. August 13th, I found her unwilling to use her back legs but dragging them. I rushed her to the vet where we discovered on xrays that she has some pretty severe arthritis in her spine and right knee. She was prescribed 1.5mg meloxicam at a dose of .12ml once a day with high hopes that we should see improvements within a few days. That first day or 2, she would stand up for small bursts but after a week, we had no improvement and actually quite the decline. She wouldn't even drag around her cage anymore and stays in the exact same spot. I did a ton of research and asked the vet to increase her dosage of the meloxicam (seeing other vets/guinea pig owners say that the higher doses are necessary for this type of pain management). She agreed with my suggestion and we increased the dose to .35ml once a day. It has been about 5 days or so on the higher dosage and while I'm seeing improvement in the pain management part, there is little to no improvement in her mobility. I have kept her in cuddle cups and on heavily padded bedding to prevent pressure sores, changing her pads every couple of hours to keep her clean but she is developing a bit of a pressure sore on the back end of her front foot that she is propping herself up on constantly. Shes eating great, for the most part completely herself other than the fact that she cant move herself around.

Thanks for information!

 

[Yi Rui]

I'm sorry about your piggy, I had a similar issue with my almost 9 year old girl Tilly. She had severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. She saw an exotics specialist and one of the things we tried was an injection of ketamine, the way pain is processed, sometimes it can build and build even with no actual decline in physical condition and the ketamine resets the pain receptors. This did actually work in the short term and Tilly regained the ability to walk.

She did also have severe neurological issues which complicated things but towards the end she couldn't do much and her front legs declined to where she couldn't move herself around anymore.

She was on 0.6ml of metacam, 40mg of gabapentin and paracetamol as well, the metacam was 2xs a day and the others were 3xs a day. I found swapping to vet bed really helped her stay dry and clean which stopped her getting any sores so that may be something to consider.

I appreciate the weather isn't great for it but I found taking her outside to sit in the grass did absolute wonders for her mental health and really kept her quality of life up, but I would also bring her grass and fresh forage in from outside, also gentle massage to help with circulation.. little things day to day to keep her spirits up, she loved attention. Unfortunately she never recovered her mobility and passed 2 weeks before her 9th birthday, but she still maintained a good quality of life without it. I hope your piggy is feeling better and, without the neurological complications, can regain some mobility!

Just editing to add I also had a male with extremely arthritic knees to the point he suffered awful impaction that needed clearing multiple times a day, he was given to me by the RSPCA because he needed so much care. We did cartrophen injections for him and he improved so much his impaction fully resolved and he was SO much more comfortable into his old age, just something else you could maybe try.

Hello, may I ask how many sessions of cartrophen injections your guinea pig had? I'm considering it as a treatment option for my 8 year old guinea pig, Ferrero Rocher, on top of the gabapentin and dog meloxicam. Although, I think I read somewhere that some medications are incompatible with the cartrophen injections, so I'll look into that more before I decide to go ahead.

 

[Eriathwen]

Hello, may I ask how many sessions of cartrophen injections your guinea pig had? I'm considering it as a treatment option for my 8 year old guinea pig, Ferrero Rocher, on top of the gabapentin and dog meloxicam. Although, I think I read somewhere that some medications are incompatible with the cartrophen injections, so I'll look into that more before I decide to go ahead.

Of course, I ended up with 3 pigs in total who were getting it, they had one injection per week for 4 weeks as a kind of "loading dose" and then after that, they had it once per month for the rest of their lives, all of them showed a great improvement! Some people say not to give the injections alongside NSAIDS such as metacam if I remember correctly but we continued its use with my piggies and saw no ill effects, but definitely discuss it first to see what your vet is comfortable with.