Guinea pig calpol dosage

[piggydobz]

Hi guys,
Our piggie boy with IC is going through another little flare up. Trouble is we’re out of metacam and the vets we go to are being awkward about prescribing it without seeing him every single time. It’s getting to be expensive to pay for appointments and medicine, and we know that it’s unlikely to be anything else so it’s a waste of time.
I’ve read on the forum that pigs can take infant calpol as alternative for pain relief. What is a suitable dosage? And can it be used long term like metacam, or is it just an alternative for emergencies?
Thanks.

 

[Siikibam]

There wouldn’t be any harm in them checking him out. Did the vet diagnose the IC previously? As for dosage, I don’t have a clue. I’ll tag @VickiA @Piggies&buns

 

[piggydobz]

He got diagnosed by a specialist vet after X-ray ruled out anything else, but I don’t think our more local vet understands pigs. We’ve taken him to them about 5 times over the last year when he’s had flare ups from something he’s eaten. Each time we pay for appointment and drugs. His symptoms disappear on their own usually after a couple of weeks or so, just some nights he squeaks quite a bit and looks uncomfortable!

 

[Siikibam]

Would you be able to call up the specialist to get a prescription?

 

[Eriathwen]

Personally I would call the specialist and either have them advise your regular vets on the reoccurring need for the metacam or to see if they will write you a prescription so you can get it online, they usually only charge about £10 for a prescription. I wouldnt offer calpol without being given a dose by your vet, your piggies weight, other medications etc all need to be taken into account to get an accurate dose. I've got 2 on calpol at the moment but only because it was prescribed by my vet and I'm always really careful to get the tiny dose correct, having managed to take a staggered paracetamol overdose twice myself, its no fun and I wouldn't risk it for my piggies. Remember that it's actually illegal for people to be offering dosages of medication who aren't vets or other qualified persons and can potentially get the forum into issues of they tried to do so.

 

[VickiA]

Personally I would call the specialist and either have them advise your regular vets on the reoccurring need for the metacam or to see if they will write you a prescription so you can get it online, they usually only charge about £10 for a prescription. I wouldnt offer calpol without being given a dose by your vet, your piggies weight, other medications etc all need to be taken into account to get an accurate dose. I've got 2 on calpol at the moment but only because it was prescribed by my vet and I'm always really careful to get the tiny dose correct, having managed to take a staggered paracetamol overdose twice myself, its no fun and I wouldn't risk it for my piggies. Remember that it's actually illegal for people to be offering dosages of medication who aren't vets or other qualified persons and can potentially get the forum into issues of they tried to do so.

We cannot give any advice on dosing. And I would never entertain giving Calpol unless prescribed by a vet. Please call your vets and ask them for a script. Then if you have a script you can buy Metacam online at a cheape price.

 

[piggydobz]

Ok no problem, sorry guys I didn’t realise. I was going off some of the older threads I’d read, so wasn’t sure. I’ll ring the vets tomorrow.