GuineaDan
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi, it's been a few years since I posted here. If any advice can be given, that would be great. But I also just really need to vent about the situation too.
So Luigi will be 7 years old early next year, so he's definitely an old timer. A couple of weeks ago I found him very lethargic in his cage with his weight dropped - I gave him food and he was clearly ravenous. Took him to the vet and was told he likely had arthritis which was causing him to avoid moving around for more food.
He was put on 0.3ml dog meloxicam 1.5mg once a day for 7 days, or as long as needed. I was also giving him EmerAide sustain food twice a day, 20-30ml total. Whilst he seemed to pick up a bit, he was still hiding and did have a dip in his weight, but seemed to be on the mend.
But now he's had a sudden disinterest in food.... Except, he'll also get interested in it again sometimes. He was disinterested in food he usually really likes, but got interested after the painkiller kicked in - but even then he was picky about what he ate.
He's just been very on and off. 2 hours ago he was munching on hay very actively, and now he's laying on me very limp. If I put him down/try to pick him up he'll dart away (normal for him) so he's obviously not completely lethargic.
He weighs 800g currently, his normal weight for quite a while was 850-880g. Has been pooing a lot during feedings, and they seem relatively normal, if not soft. He has been getting multiple stuck in his bottom that I've been cleaning up. Wee is also fine.
He does have a history of dental problems which has always been fixed by giving him painkillers so he can wear his own teeth down.
He has a vet appointment in a couple of hours, though not with a specialist (wasn't in today). They also said I could take him in sooner if it turns into an emergency.
I haven't slept all night and I'm just worried if I take a nap he'll pass away. I just really think I'm entering my last days with him and I really don't feel ready for it.
Attached is a photo of his feeding time last night.
So Luigi will be 7 years old early next year, so he's definitely an old timer. A couple of weeks ago I found him very lethargic in his cage with his weight dropped - I gave him food and he was clearly ravenous. Took him to the vet and was told he likely had arthritis which was causing him to avoid moving around for more food.
He was put on 0.3ml dog meloxicam 1.5mg once a day for 7 days, or as long as needed. I was also giving him EmerAide sustain food twice a day, 20-30ml total. Whilst he seemed to pick up a bit, he was still hiding and did have a dip in his weight, but seemed to be on the mend.
But now he's had a sudden disinterest in food.... Except, he'll also get interested in it again sometimes. He was disinterested in food he usually really likes, but got interested after the painkiller kicked in - but even then he was picky about what he ate.
He's just been very on and off. 2 hours ago he was munching on hay very actively, and now he's laying on me very limp. If I put him down/try to pick him up he'll dart away (normal for him) so he's obviously not completely lethargic.
He weighs 800g currently, his normal weight for quite a while was 850-880g. Has been pooing a lot during feedings, and they seem relatively normal, if not soft. He has been getting multiple stuck in his bottom that I've been cleaning up. Wee is also fine.
He does have a history of dental problems which has always been fixed by giving him painkillers so he can wear his own teeth down.
He has a vet appointment in a couple of hours, though not with a specialist (wasn't in today). They also said I could take him in sooner if it turns into an emergency.
I haven't slept all night and I'm just worried if I take a nap he'll pass away. I just really think I'm entering my last days with him and I really don't feel ready for it.
Attached is a photo of his feeding time last night.
