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Is this right? Metacam dosage

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pigcorn

Junior Guinea Pig
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I took my 2 1/2 year old boy to vets yesterday because he seems in pain but it's a mystery. When I've heard him in pain a poop sometimes pops out but other times not. Sometimes no urine output either. It's a mystery. He sometimes looks like he lifts his back up as if to poop but nothing or a poop.

Anyway, the guinea pig had a through physical exam. He checked all his boy bits, his butt, felt everywhere inside, his feet, mouth like everywhere. Could not find anything out the ordinary. Weight fine-1kg. I not noticed weight lost either. Eating, drinking fine, bossing the other one round like normal and vocal for food. So it seems a mystery. He has been like it almost 2 weeks. Vet is thinking it could be arthritic. And that it might be from pelvic area and when he poops etc it may hurt that area. He is walking fine, his poos are also completely normal too,i took one with me to vet for him to check and no issue there. He is giving him metacam for 2 weeks at once a day dosage which is 2ml. From what I've read it best to give twice a day? And maybe 1ml twice a day? This morning he just squealed a poop out so don't think it's helping and he had the 2ml late last night. So maybe should go against vet and give twice a day? He's to go back for blood tests/X rays if no better or if improvement on metacam but pain again when course is over to figure out it's cause as his joint pain is obviously a theory at this point.
 
I'm not great with doses, but is that 2ml or 0.2ml per day?
0.2ml would be quite low I think--especially if it's cat loxicom (it's 3x weaker than dog loxicom).
2ml would be a very high dose (especially if the dog version of loxicom).

Yes splitting the dose into two half dose applications daily is usually better, as Guineas have a high metabolism, so the medication works through their system quickly, wearing off well before the 24hrs is up.

Just a thought, but maybe he has the start of a UTI (Urinary tract infection) did the vet do a dip test on his urine, or is there any signs of visible blood in it?

He could also have a slight build up of bladder sludge or a small stone that would cause discomfort when urinating?

Did the vet think about prescribing antibiotics for a possible infection? This would be the easiest thing to rule out first. X
 
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pigcorn said:
I took my 2 1/2 year old boy to vets yesterday because he seems in pain but it's a mystery. When I've heard him in pain a poop sometimes pops out but other times not. Sometimes no urine output either. It's a mystery. He sometimes looks like he lifts his back up as if to poop but nothing or a poop.

Anyway, the guinea pig had a through physical exam. He checked all his boy bits, his butt, felt everywhere inside, his feet, mouth like everywhere. Could not find anything out the ordinary. Weight fine-1kg. I not noticed weight lost either. Eating, drinking fine, bossing the other one round like normal and vocal for food. So it seems a mystery. He has been like it almost 2 weeks. Vet is thinking it could be arthritic. And that it might be from pelvic area and when he poops etc it may hurt that area. He is walking fine, his poos are also completely normal too,i took one with me to vet for him to check and no issue there. He is giving him metacam for 2 weeks at once a day dosage which is 2ml. From what I've read it best to give twice a day? And maybe 1ml twice a day? This morning he just squealed a poop out so don't think it's helping and he had the 2ml late last night. So maybe should go against vet and give twice a day? He's to go back for blood tests/X rays if no better or if improvement on metacam but pain again when course is over to figure out it's cause as his joint pain is obviously a theory at this point.
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Hi!

Please have him vet checked promptly.
Here is our recommended UK vet locator: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

How piggy savvy is your vet? I assume that the dosage for cat metacam and not for dog metacam?
2 ml is a lot of cat metacam to give in one go but at the OK upper end when splitting it up while 0.2 ml in dog or cat metacam is pretty low, especially for cat metacam. Dog metacam is three times the strength of cat metacam; recently in the UK cat metacam has been licensed for use in guinea pigs but dog metacam is the more practical solution. Can you please check?

Pain when pooping is in the majority coming from a problem with the urinary tract system.
Has your vet checked for potential kidney/bladder or stones that have fetched up in the urethra (boars have a longer one with an awkward iglenook were passed stones can fetch up and cause massive problems), urine infection, bacterial or sterile cystitis?

Guinea pigs have a very fast metabolism, which means that painkillers and antibiotics are best split up and given every 12 hours.
 
It's up to the number 2 on the syringe they give you. I'm not at home now but maybe that is 0.2?
 
No he didn't mention uti etc I did ask about bladder stone. He said all felt normal. Pig not in discomfort during exam. Not sure it might be that. Should have given antibiotics too.
 
pigcorn said:
It's up to the number 2 on the syringe they give you. I'm not at home now but maybe that is 0.2?
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It depends on the syringe you have been given, whether it is a 1 ml syringe or a small metacam or a large metacam syringe. Could you please post a picture of the syringe when you get home, just so we can make sure? The amount sounds rather like it is as low as to be engligeable.

Please have him booked in again or see a more piggy savvy vet if symptoms are increasing. It would help if we knew the country you are in. We have members ans enquiries from all over the world.

It means that his current medication is not adequate for treating. I would recommend a scan and a urine blood test. How old is your boy? Arthritis can also cause discomfort.
 
I've rang the vets back up. The receptionist put me through to vet nurse explained situation that in case it's a UTI or other infection if they could issue out a course of antibiotics that I could collect later. She is going to speak to the vet I saw and said if I don't hear back then it's fine and collect later. If it's not fine I'm going elsewhere because it's silly not to rule out infections and if it don't work then obviously go look for possible stones on x rays. See what happens.
 
I'm in UK. I am unfortunately limited to who is available in my town too as I don't drive nor anyone I know. There are other vets in this town. The syringe is a small skinny thing.
 
Had a call from vets, been issued a course of antibiotics to pick up after work. Hopefully this might do the job for him. If not we go back.
 
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