Thanks Cozmo. I have an interest for sure - anything medical, and also natural remedies - but I have more experience with very elderly dogs than piggies! The oldest pig I've had was estimated to be around 6-7.
I currently have a lovely stubborn little thing called Delilah, age is basically unknown but she appears to be at least 5, if not a year or so older. She has a significant joint 'condition' and a rather interesting waddle...see the post linked below:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=31752&page=2
It's a problem with her front legs and shoulder - her legs stick out stiffly at the shoulders, and her feet are somewhat 'gnarled' and turned under; a little like 'club foot'. As she's a rescue, nobody has any idea if it's something she's always had or if it's something that developed over time. I'm mostly inclined to believe she was born with it or developed it in her early years; she uses the edges of her front feet to stop her slipping, which - if she has had the condition for a long time - could have led to them turning under on those sides.
She is not in pain with it at all, nor does the problem slow her down! She's a real character.
I've tried various 'treatments' since that original thread on Delilah was posted. I started off with Metacam, but since there was no pain and no inflammation there was little point continuing it, so I invested in an alternative remedy at the recommendation of one of the posters in that thread. The Potters Tabritis tablets made minimal difference; I did notice she seemed more lethargic when she was not given them at least twice a week.
I switched to Vitapet RA Joint Formula after Mandy (tattyruncy) mentioned that her piggie, Poppy, was to try this for her arthritis. (The two piggies have somewhat similar problems with joint stiffness - Poppy's is the hind legs, Delilah's is the front). Delilah didn't react well to being given the daily doses of Vitapet RA, she became very depressed and had a reduced appetite. I reduced the dose to 0.1ml twice weekly which she is able to manage, it doesn't make much difference so I reduced it further to 0.1ml once weekly. Even though it's not activey improving her condition, she does seem a little better off for having the dose once a week.
That is where I stand at the moment with Delilah in regards to her "old piggie ailments".
In general, any guinea over the age of 4 is viewed as a senior. The only one thing that springs to mind in terms of special care is making sure they are kept warm and comfortable - an elderly guinea may not be quite as hardy as the spry young ones. There's no real need to change anything unless you believe they have the beginnings of an age-related condition e.g. arthritis.
