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Arthritis

exia

exia

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hello best forum members,

we have not decided if its right for us to adopt another pig right now but today I had the strength to at least look with the rescue we adopted Kongo from.

A four year old boy with arthritis looking for a home. He's on metacam for right now.
I understand that arthritis is not something you can cure and that it might affect him more and more.

How is it to care for a pig with arthritis? Is it much "extra care"? Does he needs to visit the vet on regular basis?
I dont mind some extra care or the vet visits. My pigs has fantastic vets. But if we decide to adopt this boy, I want to know to know more about the diagnosis and quality of life before (the previous owners wanted to PTS him but the vet reached out to the adoption organization. I guess the vet saw he had a high quality of life with the right care). Please tell me ☺️
 
I've had two with arthritis, diagnosed at age 4, the arthritis wasn't having any obvious affects on them at that time they were both xrayed for other reasons. Both had Metacam straight away and that has been a long term daily commitment. As the arthritis progressed they also went on to Gabapentin daily as well. I also gave Johnson's 4 Joints which I am convinced helped with the stiff joints. In the UK if you are giving Metacam long term you have to have 6 monthly vet visits. It is expensive but helping these old guys to live a long and pain free life is also an honour. I have found using vetbed in their main sleeping/sitting places also helpful for keeping them dry as their mobility decreases.

We lost Red a few weeks ago to heart problems aged 7.5.
Brillo is still with us and quite active for the age of 7.

Would I take on an elderly piggy with arthritis knowing what I know, yes I would as long as my finances could take it!

Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
 
piggieminder said:
I've had two with arthritis, diagnosed at age 4, the arthritis wasn't having any obvious affects on them at that time they were both xrayed for other reasons. Both had Metacam straight away and that has been a long term daily commitment. As the arthritis progressed they also went on to Gabapentin daily as well. I also gave Johnson's 4 Joints which I am convinced helped with the stiff joints. In the UK if you are giving Metacam long term you have to have 6 monthly vet visits. It is expensive but helping these old guys to live a long and pain free life is also an honour. I have found using vetbed in their main sleeping/sitting places also helpful for keeping them dry as their mobility decreases.

We lost Red a few weeks ago to heart problems aged 7.5.
Brillo is still with us and quite active for the age of 7.

Would I take on an elderly piggy with arthritis knowing what I know, yes I would as long as my finances could take it!

Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
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Thank you! Now I know more about what to expect if we adopt this little guy. If he move in I want to give him the best golden years ever
 
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