Arthritis

[sarah4548]

Hey everyone. I was wondering if any of you have any advice for me. I have 6 guinea pigs, and the oldest one is 5 or 6. (She came from a shelter so we are not quite how old she really is). She got multiple problems right now, all diagnosed by a vet. the roots of her molars are inflamed which created an abces in her mouth, she’s deaf, She has overian cysts, and the most recent one: arthritis. Which I wanted to ask you about. At this moment the cysts don’t give her any problems, and the abces is contained by anti-inflammatory and pain medication. The pain medication is also for her artritis, but every day she starts to walk less, and I think she’s quite cold because she’s always in her snuggle sack. When she’s up and going she’s doing okay. But She still stands really high on her legs and sometimes ‘drags’ one of her back legs. But only for a mili second. So I’m a bit worried. I ordered some CBD for her legs, but I couldn’t find anything else on the internet that would help with arthritis. So if any one knows any treatment that would help her, please let me now! I know that all her illnesses make it sound she’s in a lot of pain, but her spirit is still high. Every morning she waiting for her treat and loves loves loves her veggies. So mentally I can see she is enjoying life very much. I just want to help her relieve some pain, thank you!

I attached a photo, just for fun

Oh and she’s losing lots of hair, the vet said it’s because of the cysts, but does anybody know if I can help her with that?

 

[Tory93]

What a beautiful little girl .

Both of my 6 year olds have a touch of arthritis but not has bad as you have described. If one of them is having a bad day I give them a heat pad which seems to really help.

I also give them a daily joint supplement with glucosamine. I have tried the oxbow joint support but struggled to get them to eat it all so swapped to Sherwoods joint supplements.

Is she on a decent dose of pain relief?

I can't help with the fur sorry.

She really is a little gem, hope she's feeling better soon.

 

[sarah4548]

What a beautiful little girl .

Both of my 6 year olds have a touch of arthritis but not has bad as you have described. If one of them is having a bad day I give them a heat pad which seems to really help.

I also give them a daily joint supplement with glucosamine. I have tried the oxbow joint support but struggled to get them to eat it all so swapped to Sherwoods joint supplements.

Is she on a decent dose of pain relief?

I can't help with the fur sorry.

She really is a little gem, hope she's feeling better soon.

Thank you so much! I’m going to look into those supplements. she’s on a very high dose of pain medication, and I can see that that really relieves her pain. It’s just the stiffness of her joints, but maybe the supplements will work. I started today with giving her a heat pad and she’s getting a tiny bit of critical care every day so she gains some weight. Do you have any recommendations for a heat pad? When I was eight my first guinea pig bit a hole through one (he was okay), so I want to make sure I buy a pad that’s piggie proof

She’s a little gem, with or without hair

 

[sarah4548]

What a beautiful little girl .

Both of my 6 year olds have a touch of arthritis but not has bad as you have described. If one of them is having a bad day I give them a heat pad which seems to really help.

I also give them a daily joint supplement with glucosamine. I have tried the oxbow joint support but struggled to get them to eat it all so swapped to Sherwoods joint supplements.

Is she on a decent dose of pain relief?

I can't help with the fur sorry.

She really is a little gem, hope she's feeling better soon.

One more question. Is the supplement especially for Guinea pigs. Or is it for cat dogs humans etcetera…?

 

[piggieminder]

I don't know if you can get it where you are but a lot of us with arthritic piggies use Johnsons 4 joints, it's a liquid supplement made for dogs. .4ml per kg of piggie.
Snuggle Safe heat pads that are heated in the microwave are useful for elderly/sick piggies.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I agree with what has been said so far - a glucosamine supplement and pain meds for the arthritis as well as a heat pad.
Make sure you regularly weigh her and top her up with as much critical care as is needed to keep her weight stable.

The only thing to help with the cyst related hair loss to treat the cysts which may or may not be possible. I’ve added the guide below which will help further

Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

 

[sarah4548]

I agree with what has been said so far - a glucosamine supplement and pain meds for the arthritis as well as a heat pad.
Make sure you regularly weigh her and top her up with as much critical care as is needed to keep her weight stable.

The only thing to help with the cyst related hair loss to treat the cysts which may or may not be possible. I’ve added the guide below which will help further

Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

Thank you, I’m looking into any available glucosamine supplements I can get delivered here and I’m buying a heat pad

She’s is in a bit to much of a rough state to go through surgery. And with all the other problems that are unfortunately not fixable, my vet advised that surgery isn’t a good option, and has to much risk to it.