Hello, I’m new and I have some questions. I hope somebody can help me. I have 2 6 years old female guinea pigs , Truffles and Luna. they are my babies. We all love them at home and we all take care of them. Luna always had been sick and always more fragile since they moment that I bought her. But she always was able to come out. 3 days ago she stopped to walk and didn’t eat neither. I was able to take her to the doctor and she told me that she has arthritis on her left leg. She gave her meloxican and told me that she will start to get better in few days. By Saturday she was still same and I took her to another veterinarian specialist on exotic animals. He said the same as the another doctor and add tramadol for pain. Luna it’s so sleeping that she stills not eat and I have to force feeding her with the critical care powder so she doesn’t lose more weight. At this point I’m really worry and I don’t know if it okay to keep her in this condition in pain and no able to walk or eat. It’s breaking my heart. She is not pooping or peeing . The doctor said that I’m not giving her enough food and increase the dose of the critical care. She haven’t lose more weight after I took her to the doctor but I don’t know what to do. Any advised? As anybody here go thought similar situation? Thank you so much
-
Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement
My guinea pig has arthritis
- Thread starter Alder
- Start date
Hi and welcome!
I am very sorry that your girl has such a rough ride!
I assume that the vets have checked for GI stasis (guts stopping to work)? Lethargy is connected with eating too little and having no energy but it can also be caused by any underlying issue that could have caused the loss of appetite apart from arthritis.
I am currently looking after an 8 year old lady with advanced arthritis in her spine and legs who has not lost her appetite over this although she is needing more top up feed as her body has started to gradually close down; but she is still able to eat from a spoon.
Guinea pigs need to take in 40-60 ml in 24 hours as the absolute minimum for the guts to keep going; ideally up to 60-90 ml. Older piggies can be at the lower end. The poo output reflects the poo input over the last day or two depending on how much the gut has slowed down; you have to be patient to allow the increased food intake to come all the way through the guts.
Ask your vets for gut stimulants next time you see them.
Please follow our tips in these guides here:
Collection of emergency and crisis care information for very ill guinea pigs: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
All about syringe feeding, including guide amounts: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Gut stasis: Bloat, GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
You may also want to step in with glucosamine to coat the joints, allow more movement and ease the pain. it is not classed as a medication but as a food supplement and widely available. Look online for vegan/vegetarian products or for oxbow joint support for guinea pigs.
Thank you so much for your answer. My Luna die this afternoon and it’s so painful ... I’m trying to understand what happen but there is not answer. Now truffles is left and I want to be sure that she doesn’t feel lonely. I’m so sad , Luna was my little baby. Thank you again .
Pigwhisperer
Adult Guinea Pig
I'm so sorry for your loss. You may never know exactly what happened but it's likely to be more than just the arthritis as that alone wouldn't stop her eating. My Silk has arthritis and before we got her on painkillers she hardly moved but still ate and pooped like a horse! Six years is a good age for a guinea pig though and you obviously looked after her and loved her well.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Since the moment that I got both of them they became my little babies. Luna was always sick but she was a fighter. She was able to fight every time and I was thinking that she will make it this time too. I’m so devastating her place it’s empty and truffles it’s looking for her. I put her in a smaller cage so the memories of Luna don’t disturb her that much. I’m so worry about truffles because I don’t want her to die of loneliness . I’m trying to keep her with me all the time so she doesn’t feel alone. I don’t want to get any other guinea pig because I can’t handle to lose them. Since you have so much experience what will you recommend me to do with truffles? I’m scare that she will die too. Thank you in advance.