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medicines?

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neuroticmum

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Hi, I've seen on various threads recently that people seem to give their piggies some human medicines from time to time. I've seen mention of Calpol, Gripe Water and Buscopan. Is it really safe to give these to piggies?

I have two well piggies at the moment but just want to learn more for the future...
 
I've used quite a lot of human medicine on my piggies in the past, the most recent being children's Tixylix for Chubby pig's sniffles rolleyes I use Vick's Vapourub a lot, usually as a first line treatment for a sniffly pig. However, I always take my piggies to the vets or CCT at the first sign of anything that is serious or has the potential to become so, as piggies can go downhill rapidly.

Peter Gurney used various human medicine of piggies with success :

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/

:)
 
I should add I wouldn't just use any human medicine on piggies. The ailments I have treated have been minor ones; I have had piggies for the last 12 years & have followed Peter Gurney's advice & the advice of piggy knowledgeable people & would never advocate self medicating a guinea pig instead of obtaining a competent vet's opinion, just to make that clear rolleyes
 
thanks for that, was just interested to see what people did. I'd always head off to the vets for anything serious though. I do have a good book by Peter Guerny, will have to look at it again.
 
Yes i have and do occationally use human meds on my piggies. I am confident and happy to use them, as i am trained to work out dosages and understand the use/science of the medication. I am used to working out dosages etc and i have spoken to veterinary professionals about what i have used and they do not have a problem with it. I occationally use neurofen, Ibuprofen is safe at certain dosages and i am aware of the dosage. I would never advocate people to use human meds. Unless you understand the drug and its correct dosage its really not worth it.

Human medications can be dangerous and fatal to pets. For example half a 500mg Paracetamol can kill a cat, as would any type of penicillin based antibiotic with a guinea pig.

All of us in the veterinary profession are trained to prescribe medications for this reason. If you wish to give your piggie any of what you have listed please speak to a qualified vet or experienced veterinary nurse first. Unfortantly although a few human meds are useful to use on pets we very rarely advise people to use them, as 1.) we have probably not seen the animal, and 2.) many people (not suggesting yourself) are unable to dose their pets correctly with prescribed meds let alone ones not.

Hope this helps, and i hope it didnt sound like a rant.

x.
 
Hi, no didn't sound like a rant at all, was just interested to see what people did as i'd been suprised to see other people mention they used certain items with their piggies.

I'll certainly be leaving it to the experts!
 
Calpol is a no no... alot of people use it but iits seriously risky... plus if your pig is in pain then it really needs a vet where they will prescribe something like metacam...

infacol is well worth having in... just incase one of your piggies gets bloat...
i also have activated charcole in just incase of one the pigs gets the runs...
but thats it...

x
 
I have to agree, there is no know dosage for paracetamol for piggies, so i wouldnt use it. I wouldnt use charcoal for diarrohea. It wont hurt, but charcoal is used to stop the guts absorbing things, we use it in cases of poisoning, and is usually used to give to piggies when they have ingested poisonous plants.

x.
 
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