METCAM FOR GUINEA PIG SAFE?

[Angela99]

Hi again! I posted recently about my little Truffle sneezing for 6 weeks and took him to wrong Vet who diagnosed him with allergies. Today we saw a good vet for piggies... so story is he's sneezing 6 weeks and has high anxiety. I picked him during a sneezing vit and wiped his nose to find bits of red fleece in his nasal discharge. I got red fleece a few weeks ago... and when I cut it little pieces fall off... its never been an issue before Vet thinks either he has a URI or inflammation if more fleece stuck up his nose. SO... I have antibiotics and Metcam Antiinnflamatory but uses less than half dosage of Antiinnflamatory bc worried about side effects... do they get sleepy on it? I couldn't put it in his mouth so I put a drop on some apple. If all this doesn't work the vet said he'll flush his nose with water under anesthesia and I REALLY don't want him under bc he is a little pig.

Buttercup has a tumor under his belly and needs surgery and a biopsy... stressful day

Just thought you might have some insight on Metcam side effects and if anyone experienced fleece bits stuck up the nose?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is it the vet who has told you to use less than half the dose?
Metacam is safe. If is the standard pain relief given to guinea pigs. It can be given twice a day due to the fact piggies process pain meds quickly, in around 12 hours. They also can be given quite high dosages. Given too little and only once a day and it simply won’t be effective at controlling pain. They don’t sleepy. Mine have had it, my rabbit as has had it. We have many many forum piggies who have have it, and some which are on it for life.

 

[Angela99]

Is it the vet who has told you to use less than half the dose?
Metacam is safe. If is the standard pain relief given to guinea pigs. It can be given twice a day due to the fact piggies process pain meds quickly, in around 12 hours. They also can be given quite high dosages. Given too little and only once a day and it simply won’t be effective at controlling pain. They don’t sleepy. Mine have had it, my rabbit as has had it. We have many many forum piggies who have have it, and some which are on it for life.

Ok great! Thank you! He said once a day only. I'm struggling to get it in his mouth. I put it on a carrot. I did this with antibiotics as well but it didn't go so well as it drips off and he hates it. I hope tomorrow will go better... I don't know how to get his mouth to open. I was worried about side effects for Metacam but I gave the full dosage after. He gets .7 mg I think so a low dose.

 

[Piggies&buns]

they process their meds quickly so it does mean that if it is only given once a day, then it will have worn off long before the next dose is due so you will possibly find some pain returning.

You are much better off to just put it into their mouths directly rather than putting it on food. You can’t control that they get the correct dose when it’s on food. You have to be firm and just get it done! This video may help you

Medicating your guinea pig - Instructional video on Facebook

 

[Angela99]

they process their meds quickly so it does mean that if it is only given once a day, then it will have worn off long before the next dose is due so you will possibly find some pain returning.

You are much better off to just put it into their mouths directly rather than putting it on food. You can’t control that they get the correct dose when it’s on food. You have to be firm and just get it done! This video may help you

Medicating your guinea pig - Instructional video on Facebook

Oh thank you for that video! He's on my lap so I'll try him on the table, but that Guinea pig was pretty good and his mouth was open. Truffle had his right shut. Stressful because I know he needs his meds. I did make sure he ate all of the piece I put medicine on.... he was in my hands... but antibiotics is too big a dose and it got everywhere. Thank you again I appreciate your help

 

[Betsy]

Did the vet give you a 1ml syringe? It is much easier to medicate your piggie then with a 2ml syringe that they sometimes give you. Christian is on 0.5ml Metacam twice a day for life. He was on 0.7ml twice a day when his pain was very bad. He is fine with it.

 

[Zanzan]

Did you find the space behind his front teeth? Lift his lip up and you will be able to push it in there. Once he tastes it I'm sure he will want more, they usually go crazy for metacam!

 

[Angela99]

Is it the vet who has told you to use less than half the dose?
Metacam is safe. If is the standard pain relief given to guinea pigs. It can be given twice a day due to the fact piggies process pain meds quickly, in around 12 hours. They also can be given quite high dosages. Given too little and only once a day and it simply won’t be effective at controlling pain. They don’t sleepy. Mine have had it, my rabbit as has had it. We have many many forum piggies who have have it, and some which are on it for life.

Thank you! That video helped me this morning I did it just like that! He is taking .07cc Metacam and vet is closed today I wanted to do it twice a day bc he just had a bad sneezing fit and seems uncomfortable. He's a small pig. We don't know root cause of his sneezing fits yet... you guys all seem to say it's safe for pigs... just wondering if I should give him half another dose since he is uncomfortable. He's not dying ... but when he sneezes so much he can't breathe properly. I have to wait til they open tomorrow otherwise

 

[Angela99]

Did the vet give you a 1ml syringe? It is much easier to medicate your piggie then with a 2ml syringe that they sometimes give you. Christian is on 0.5ml Metacam twice a day for life. He was on 0.7ml twice a day when his pain was very bad. He is fine with it.

He's actually on .07 cc Metacam and after watching video I put antibiotics in easily this morning I feel he needs more Metacam just called Vet but they are closed til tomorrow...

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you! That video helped me this morning I did it just like that! He is taking .07cc Metacam and vet is closed today I wanted to do it twice a day bc he just had a bad sneezing fit and seems uncomfortable. He's a small pig. We don't know root cause of his sneezing fits yet... you guys all seem to say it's safe for pigs... just wondering if I should give him half another dose since he is uncomfortable. He's not dying ... but when he sneezes so much he can't breathe properly. I have to wait til they open tomorrow otherwise

We can’t tell you about what to give him, only a vet can do that.
Metacam is a pain killer so won’t do anything for the underlying cause of sneezing, it’s effects or help him breathe easier

 

[Angela99]

We can’t tell you about what to give him, only a vet can do that.
Metacam is a pain killer so won’t do anything for the underlying cause of sneezing, it’s effects or help him breathe easier

Yes of course... I'm sticking to what they told me but called them today and they were closed. So tomorrow I'll know. IF he does have a URI how long before you see him improve with symptoms such as sneezing? Roughly? We aren't 100% sure what he has yet.... URI or pieces of fleece stuck up his nose that may be infected and causing discomfort and inflammation. Hoping these meds help him! I appreciate your feedback