Arthritis

[ladymary86]

Hi all

Please can I ask some advice for my lovely boar Jeremy?

He came to us from a rescue around 1.5yrs ago, he was placed then at around 5. He was very skinny, with curly nails

We managed to fatten him up and get those nails down, although the damage was done to his poor tootsies which splay outwards.

He’s developed arthritis, we managed it well with metacam but he’s slowly going worse. One back leg is extremely stiff, and he’s placing all his weight on his front legs now which has resulted in mild bumble foot despite cleaning him multiple times a day, and applying coconut oil, the vet said it’s just a consequence of the weight carrying.

We took him to the vet this morning, and we’ve upped the painkillers to metacam plus tramadol to hopefully keep him pain free. The bumble foot was very mild, just a bit of swelling and a scab which i soaked and treated with manuka honey. I’ve given him vet bed to sleep on, he was on bath mats and pee pads, but wanted something extra snuggly. I get him out for a cuddle to provide body warmth and a gentle massage.

Is there anything I can do for my little old man? He’s over 6yo now. He still eats and eats, in fact he’s the first one out for veggie time and wheeks at me if I’m too slow with his daily joint supplements! toileting is fine too, it’s just these back legs which are bothering him

Thank you

 

[Roselina]

Hi all

Please can I ask some advice for my lovely boar Jeremy?

He came to us from a rescue around 1.5yrs ago, he was placed then at around 5. He was very skinny, with curly nails

We managed to fatten him up and get those nails down, although the damage was done to his poor tootsies which splay outwards.

He’s developed arthritis, we managed it well with metacam but he’s slowly going worse. One back leg is extremely stiff, and he’s placing all his weight on his front legs now which has resulted in mild bumble foot despite cleaning him multiple times a day, and applying coconut oil, the vet said it’s just a consequence of the weight carrying.

We took him to the vet this morning, and we’ve upped the painkillers to metacam plus tramadol to hopefully keep him pain free. The bumble foot was very mild, just a bit of swelling and a scab which i soaked and treated with manuka honey. I’ve given him vet bed to sleep on, he was on bath mats and pee pads, but wanted something extra snuggly. I get him out for a cuddle to provide body warmth and a gentle massage.

Is there anything I can do for my little old man? He’s over 6yo now. He still eats and eats, in fact he’s the first one out for veggie time and wheeks at me if I’m too slow with his daily joint supplements! toileting is fine too, it’s just these back legs which are bothering him

Thank you

Ah dear Jeremy
What joint supplements is he on ?
It’s great he’s still eating and also enjoying his veggies
I think soft bedding is the best way and my Vet recommended V10 ointment for red feet but it is due to weight carrying - I have a piggy like that and he never lies down
Would a warm snuggle safe help him ?
I’m sure some experienced forum members will be along to offer extra advice

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all

Please can I ask some advice for my lovely boar Jeremy?

He came to us from a rescue around 1.5yrs ago, he was placed then at around 5. He was very skinny, with curly nails

We managed to fatten him up and get those nails down, although the damage was done to his poor tootsies which splay outwards.

He’s developed arthritis, we managed it well with metacam but he’s slowly going worse. One back leg is extremely stiff, and he’s placing all his weight on his front legs now which has resulted in mild bumble foot despite cleaning him multiple times a day, and applying coconut oil, the vet said it’s just a consequence of the weight carrying.

We took him to the vet this morning, and we’ve upped the painkillers to metacam plus tramadol to hopefully keep him pain free. The bumble foot was very mild, just a bit of swelling and a scab which i soaked and treated with manuka honey. I’ve given him vet bed to sleep on, he was on bath mats and pee pads, but wanted something extra snuggly. I get him out for a cuddle to provide body warmth and a gentle massage.

Is there anything I can do for my little old man? He’s over 6yo now. He still eats and eats, in fact he’s the first one out for veggie time and wheeks at me if I’m too slow with his daily joint supplements! toileting is fine too, it’s just these back legs which are bothering him

Thank you

Hi

We recommend Johnson's 4 joints strong dog liquid, which is easily available online and in pet shops. The glucosamine helps to coat the joints and make movement a bit easier again. It will however take some weeks to build up and is not an instant quick fix. Advanced arthritis is not an unusual cause of death for old piggies. I have lost several of my own rescue adoptees to it at comparable ages.

The dosage is 0.4 ml one daily for a 1000g piggy. (0.5 ml for 1250g and 0.3 ml for 750g)
You will have to adjust the dosage according to the individual weight within the guidance lines. The liquid has the advantage of being easy to give and most piggies do like the taste.

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

Here are our practical care tips for guinea pigs with decreased or no mobility: Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

Your loving care is making a difference. I have enjoyed adopting the odd oldie along the way. They usually know who they are with all their individual quirks, have nothing to prove and really appreciate the good things that come their way...

 

[ladymary86]

I’ve been bathing his little feet and covering them i manuka honey every day, but tonight the scab fell off one foot and it’s just white underneath, looks like hardened pus? The other foot the scab was hanging on by a thread to I nipped it off so it didn’t tear off, but that’s looking angry too. I’ve made an appointment for him tomorrow. I’m going to insist on antibiotics for him.

I got the Johnson’s joint supplement but he’s not at all keen. We’re carrying on with it though. He’s also having top up liquid food.

Shall I get some Epsom salts to do foot soaks and some vet bandage to keep the foot clean?

I’m determined to do my best for him. He’s still perky and eating. But I’m aware that if this doesn’t clear up, I may have a hard decision. I can’t have him immobile with arthritis and bumblefoot. But I feel like I’ve failed him and I’m so angry with myself.

 

[Roselina]

Oh no you haven’t failed him ….its maybe happened as he’s not so mobile ?
Epsom salts baths would help and I was advised to use F10 ointment but your Vet will give you good advice …he might need antibiotics - good luck at the Vets
I’m sure someone like @Betsy will be along to give you definite advice

 

[Betsy]

My Rainbow Piggy Pretty Patsy had bumble foot after I adopted her. The vet was sure she'd had it before and it had flared up again because of the stress of adopting her. I gave her Epsom Salt baths twice a day for a while and they cleared up. Here is the thread for you

Patsy has sore feet.

 

[ladymary86]

We’ve just been to the vets. The pus wasn’t pus, it’s bone. We’ve got Epsom salts, barrier cream and iodine, as well as Zithromax antibiotic. We’ve got to see how he gets on, but he’s put on 20g in a week, so the top up feed seems to be working. The sores have come on simply because the back legs can’t hold any weight any more. I don’t know what to do. I want to fight for him but I can’t bear him being in pain, if it’s spread to his bones.

 

[Roselina]

We’ve just been to the vets. The pus wasn’t pus, it’s bone. We’ve got Epsom salts, barrier cream and iodine, as well as Zithromax antibiotic. We’ve got to see how he gets on, but he’s put on 20g in a week, so the top up feed seems to be working. The sores have come on simply because the back legs can’t hold any weight any more. I don’t know what to do. I want to fight for him but I can’t bear him being in pain, if it’s spread to his bones.

Ah dear piggy
You have some good advice and you’ll be amazed how things can turn round with the right treatment.
It’s early days with the Johnson 4joints and I’m sure that will help soon
I’d step up with the supplement feeding and give it time
He’s in good hands with you
I know it seems hard and daunting but we’re here to support you

 

[Gwenie]

In addition to his treatment, you can also bring him to see an osteopath. It will do him a lot of good.

 

[ladymary86]

Bad news today. Jeremy had an X-ray, and it’s in his toe bones. The vet did say light therapy would have been an option, but not anymore. Amputation is also out as it’s both front legs.

The vet basically said it was up to me to choose the time for him. It’s not going to get better. We’re keeping it at bay at the moment with antibiotics and twice daily foot baths.

At the moment he’s still bright, alert, eating and pooping, his weight is stable and he doesn’t seem in pain as he’s on a lot of painkillers. He still comes out first for his cucumber in the morning, and wheeks for his nightly treats!

I’m absolutely devastated. I don’t want to let him go as he still has a an appetite for life, but I also don’t want to keep him here for me.

My thought is to wait until my next day off which is next Thursday, a week away, and see how he is. I want to be with him when he goes. My mum is with him all day everyday and takes amazing care of him, but I want to be with him at the end. I always hold them as they go so they know I’m there. Does this seem cruel? obviously if he goes downhill before then it’ll have to happen, and I’ll have to beg time off, the vets is only open when I’m in work.

 

[Betsy]

It doesn't seen cruel. You know Jeremy best. If you feel that he isn't ready to be helped over the Rainbow Bridge then he isn't ready to be helped over the Rainbow Bridge. You will know when the time is right. Live with your decision to wait until your next day off and if it feels right then it's the right thing to do. It's never easy to help your piggy over the Rainbow Bridge as you feel you have killed your beloved pet. You haven't. You have saved your pet suffering any more.

 

[CTWC]

Just reading this it's heartbreaking, so can't his feet ever heal?

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Sending good thoughts and vibes to you and Jeremy. I agree with others - you will know when the time is right to let him go. If he still has an appetite for life you are not keeping him alive simply for you.

I had an old, old piggy - 9 or nearly 9 - who wanted to keep going tho she couldn't really walk anymore. I used to pick her up and move her to dry spots. She had a good appetite, that's mainly how I knew she wasn't done with this world, also she communicated with me and wasn't rejected by her cage mate. Since I only worked p/t and from home, I could manage her needs. One day I saw in her eyes that she was done... and so I let her go.