Arthritis? Or just getting old(er)?

[PiratePig]

I've been home a lot the past little while as it is exam time at school (mallethead) and lately I've been noticing Athena seems to have slowed down.

The past couple days I've been noticing that she hasn't been eating her timothy hay that i keep in a hay rack that she has to stand up to reach. I thought this was weird as I've been giving her some orchard grass in her bowl along with her dinner as a bit of a December treat, and she gobbles it right up.

I don't think she is sick: she has still been eating and drinking lots, her poo looks normal, and her weight is steady. She does seem to be moving around her cage less, when she runs she's a little slower and when I've had her out I've noticed that every so often I can hear her joints creak.

So I decided to try a bit of an experiment. I took the timothy hay out of the hay rack and put it on the floor of the cage. In no less than a minute of doing that Athena was right in the hay pile munching on it like it was a long lost friend.

I'm just wondering if this might be more than a 'discomfort' and actually causing her some pain. Is there anything I can do to help her be more comfortable?

 

[Glynis]

Hi love
Sorry keep getting side tracked here at work @)
If she is happier to eat from the ground rather than reaching up i'd let her I suppose it's really like us hoomans, as whee get older whee find it harder to do things! (ask my bones at the moment LOL)
I'm really not sure whatelse to suggest......if she seems in pain i'd take her to the vets they may suggest meds ?
Please give sweet little Athena lots of hugs and wheeeeky loves from us all xoxoxoxoxoxo xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[PopcornPigs]

Maybe take to the vets to check it out. I know that my Doris doesn't particularly like reaching up to a hay rack for hay and she's 4+. Could be old age or joints I don't know sorry not much help

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I'm glad she is eating well and that you know the issue is with reaching up for the hay.

How old is she?

 

[PiratePig]

She is 6 (or there abouts).

Her hay has now officially moved to the ground and she enjoys sitting in it and munching away at it. I do need to get a tray of some sort though as it seems to just be spreading out and taking over..... though I wouldn't be surprised if Athena still spreads it around outside of the tray as that seems to be what she likes to do before eating it.

I've also started to put a towel down inside her hidey house to help keep her warm (we are in a basement apparentment) and just to give her a comfy place to lay, which she seems to be doing a lot of lately.

More and more she seems just content to be out cuddling with me or even sleeping on me. Yesterday she slept for a good hour while laying on my tummy (surprisingly with no accidents).

The past couple days she has also seemed to develop a bit of a sneeze so I am on the look out for other signs of illness or even if something is just too dusty.

I just kind of have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that she isn't going to be with me much longer. That probably sounds weird but it's hard for me to explain it any more than that.

I'm just trying my best to give her a good home and lots of love while she is here.

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUG

I know what you mean - I have been through it with my five year old Dizzy last year. You can't put a finger on it, but you just know that something is not as it should be.

The increased sneezing can be due to her now sitting, digging around and sleeping in the hay.