Guinea pig was at the vets and something seemed off

[Nikita Cowan]

So my guinea pig is 4 and I got told he has arthritis and the veterinarian wanted him to be put on either dog or cat pain medicine for it but my Guinea Pig shows no sign of pain and runs around his cage and on the floor and is active and moves no problem does this seem odd to anyone?

 

[PigglePuggle]

Dog or cat meloxicom (metacam, or loxicom) is a very common veterinary drug, not just a painkiller but an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen or paracetamol for humans. The anti-inflammatory action of the medicine might stop any inflammation before it becomes painful and keep him able to move his joints so it sounds sensible, though other members with personal experience might advise on diet supplements etc for older piggies with arthritis.

 

[Eriathwen]

Piggies don't really tolerate pain very well, that being said, they will hide pain really well. I have a male with osteodystrophy and he still runs around and popcorns..yet he is on 2 different pain medications in order to get him to stop chewing at himself from being in pain. They really do hide it very well and try to act normally. Arthritis will only get worse with time so id say better to start treating now, rather than wait for signs of pain to start

 

[VickiA]

If your vet has found arthritis then your piggy will need metacam or similar. This is both an anti inflammatory and a pain reliever for piggies.

 

[Betsy]

Piggies hide pain and illness very well. They are prey animals so any show of weakness means they may be picked up by a predator and eaten. They don't know this isn't going to happen. As far as they are concerned every day they aren't eaten is a day to be celebrated.