Beans Is Starting To Show Her Age

[Beans&Toast]

My beautiful Beans is starting to slow down lately.

I'm not too sure how old she is, around 5 I believe. Over the past month or so she's really starting to show her age. She sleeps a lot more than when I first got her and doesn't zoom about anymore. She has developed cataracts in both eyes, her nails are very thick and yellow now and she feels a bit thinner (although hasn't lost any weight since I got her).

She still runs out for food and she's not ill or in pain. She's undergoing treatment for cysts but she's coping well with it.

Is there anything I should be doing for her regarding diet/care etc? Toast has arthritis so they're already on fleece in their cage so it's nice and soft for them.

 

[eileen]

vet bed is very good for piggies with arthritis,maybe think about pain relief,ensuring ramps,hay ,are easy for beans to access ,water bottle is in easy reach,you sound like you are doing everything possible,rountine is good ,so they have a good idea of what time play,veg cuddles happen,maybe not rearrange cage to much if eyesight is failing.still encourage stimulation even though she is aging,she needs to stay youthful ! ive george who is 4 plus but he has a mate who is 4 months and he still runs around with him,just more mindfull to ensure he has a schedule and be observant for any changes.x

 

[Beans&Toast]

Thanks
I don't use hay racks anymore, I now use ceramic bowls on the floor so they can reach easily. Toast is a bit younger so she likes to run and zoom around more, sometimes Beans will try to join in but she seems to tire easily, bless her.
I keep to the same routine every day so they know what's happening, especially for Beans who is now loosing her sight.

Do older piggies have any extra diet requirements?

 

[TAN]

My Truffles will be 7 on 14th December (if she makes it to then ) she has bad arthritis in her right hip so is on metacam once a day to help her move about a bit better - and she has put on weight since I started this as she moves around more for food - but saying that last night she had pulled her food bowl and half a corn cob into her house so she could just sit there and eat without having to move for it She is also on vet bed as it does cushion the joints.

 

[eileen]

the diet should be same for young and older piggies !sometimes ive heard vegan glucosamine can help joints in arthritis piggies,but i cannot be certain of dose or wether it is recommended.you are doing all the correct things@ Beans&Toast.

 

[helen105281]

My Moo is showing signs of being older now too, she is 6. She sleeps a lot more and is a bit cranky with the younger ones, well mainly Mary who doesn't look where she is going and runs into her. I make sure she has access to hay next to where she is sleeping so she can still eat if she doesn't want to move far. She doesn't have cataracts but Fuzzy does so I do the same with her.

 

[VickiA]

watching them age is always hard but you do have a special bond with older crankier piggies. I just make sure that everything is within reach for them. I do away with hay trays and anything that requires climbing or stretching. Sounds like you are already doing that so she has a lovely retirement home.

 

[Beans&Toast]

Thanks everyone. There is hay in every hidey house so even if Beans doesn't feel like moving she can still munch. I think I'll move the water bottles down a little bit, she can reach them but she does stretch her neck up. I just wanted to make sure I was doing everything possible to make her comfortable and happy in her old age

 

[Elwickcavies]

You are doing all the right things! Older pigs don't have any specific dietary requirements, but I know some people give additional vitamin C and glucosamine to more elderly guineas. They sometimes find it harder to keep weight on and the body shape can change a bit so they a a bit more bony on their back, but still have a nice rounded belly. Heep doing what you're doing!

 

[Adelle]

Fudge was born on the 6th April 2009.. So shes nearly 7 and a half. I find her arthritis worsens if she has too much excercise or she has a ramp/slope in her cage. Shes much better without it and has been on vetbed for a while.

I do supplement fudge with vit c but thats more because she has health problems: as well as being old!