Does anyone know why exactly meloxicam/metacam is so safe for guinea pigs?

[lauryn1289]

Hi! Might be an odd question but just curious if anyone knows why this is. I’m very familiar with it for guinea pigs and have used it tonnes, when my deceased boy Bobby had a bladder stone surgery he was on ginormous doses of rheumocam especially, if I remember correctly the night before he died post surgery he was cleared by his exotic surgeon to take another 0.6ml dose for the third time of the day.

My cat Miss Keisha was at the vet with a UTI the other day and got meloxicam, I’ve very familiar with it in cats too since my cat’s used it a few times and always remember just how risky it can be for cats even acutely compared to guinea pigs. Just curious if anyone knows what it is about guinea pigs that makes them almost immune to kidney damage from meloxicam the way cats and dogs are?

I know the very fast metabolism plays a role but does anyone know what else makes it so uniquely safe? Possibly a silly and even niche question but it’s been on my mind so was curious if anyone had any answers or ideas!

 

[piggieminder]

What an interesting question. I just assumed it was because of their fast metabolism and not questioned it any further. I hope someone more knowledgeable comes along soon.

 

[lauryn1289]

What an interesting question. I just assumed it was because of their fast metabolism and not questioned it any further. I hope someone more knowledgeable comes along soon.

I figured I probably won’t get an answer purely because I assume very little clinical studies have been done on piggies in general let alone with Meloxicam but thought it was worth a try anyway because I’ve been so curious