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First time using metacam

Roclibrarian

Roclibrarian

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Poor Ginny is on metacam as the vet found out she has spinal pain. I've never had a pig taking metacam before and wondered if there are any side effects to look out for. She is on 0.22ml once a day.
I took her cause I thought she might have ovarian cysts. She's been hormonal, has thinning hair on the sides and has suddenly put on 100g in a couple of weeks. She started looking uncomfortable on Monday, like she just couldn't find the right position to sleep. She was also biting her back legs a lot, and biting the hard plastic of her litter tray.
Turns out it's her back which is sore and the manic biting she's been doing when I stroke her is cause it's hurting. Feel so guilty now!
Anyway metacam to help with the pain and an x ray to see what's going on and check for hidden cysts at the same time.
 
Metacam is a really well tolerated painkiller it works as an anti-inflammatory also. If the biting doesn't stop please speak to vet about increasing dose to a level that manages her pain. What does she weigh?

You'll have no problem getting her to take metacam piggies love the taste, ours used to run off with the syringe :))
 
sport_billy said:
Metacam is a really well tolerated painkiller it works as an anti-inflammatory also. If the biting doesn't stop please speak to vet about increasing dose to a level that manages her pain. What does she weigh?

You'll have no problem getting her to take metacam piggies love the taste, ours used to run off with the syringe :))
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She's 1437g so a larger lady like her mum lol. Thanks for the advice.
 
Vet should be able to adjust dose then to be honest with you if needed. Keep eye on her and let us know what x-ray reveals
 
I’ve never met a piggy who didn’t like Metacam. In my herd there is no need to catch a piggy for metacam - they all come up to the bars for it and there is a fight to run off with the empty syringe afterwards. We call them the Metacam Junkies. They love it so much they go up to whichever piggy has had it and try to lick their whiskers for a taste.
But poor Ginny having spinal pain. That sounds painful. I’m sure the Metacam will help ease her discomfort.
 
Metacam is well tolerated in guinea pigs at much higher dosages and long term; piggies love it because it tastes sweet. Unlike other species, piggies don't struggle with kidney issues due to metacam use.

Please split the dosage into two; metacam lasts about 10 hours before it is metabolised. Considering Ginny is in such pain that she is gnawing her legs, your vet has been extremely conservative with the dosage. You can safely give the prescribed dosage every 12 hours and still have a margin to go higher if needed.

My 9 year old Calli is on 0.3 ml of metacam (0.15 ml twice daily) for her arthritis, and she is just 650g! She's been on metacam for a year. My Nerys had been on metacam for three years for her arthritis when she had to be pts at 8 years old for a very quickly deteriorating eye infection.
 
Wiebke said:
Metacam is well tolerated in guinea pigs at much higher dosages and long term; piggies love it because it tastes sweet. Unlike other species, piggies don't struggle with kidney issues due to metacam use.

Please split the dosage into two; metacam lasts about 10 hours before it is metabolised. Considering Ginny is in such pain that she is gnawing her legs, your vet has been extremely conservative with the dosage. You can safely give the prescribed dosage every 12 hours and still have a margin to go higher if needed.

My 9 year old Calli is on 0.3 ml of metacam (0.15 ml twice daily) for her arthritis, and she is just 650g! She's been on metacam for a year. My Nerys had been on metacam for three years for her arthritis when she had to be pts at 8 years old for a very quickly deteriorating eye infection.
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Thanks for that. I'm gutted that I didn't realise she was in pain. I think it's only certain movements or positions that hurt, as she still moves quickly when the fridge door opens! I'll try splitting the painkillers.
 
Roclibrarian said:
Thanks for that. I'm gutted that I didn't realise she was in pain. I think it's only certain movements or positions that hurt, as she still moves quickly when the fridge door opens! I'll try splitting the painkillers.
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Signs can sometimes be very subtle or not at all there. Guinea pigs are prey animals; they are wired to hide any pain and discomfort to quite a degree! So please don't beat yourself up!
 
Well you are right about her liking metacam, only her second syringe and I didn't even need to open her mouth. She took it like a champ and kept chewing the syringe for more lol.
 
Have you had her checked for mites as they can cause the guinea pig to behave like that as well, and seem as though they're having a fit if you scratch them lightly along the back where the fur is thinning
 
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