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Speedy

E

Esstina2

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 22, 2014
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Location
Cheshire
My little Speedy has a poorly leg , I have seen vet tonight and he said there is no movement and leg is swollen and inflamed so it could possibly be infection or arthritis. She is 5 so an oldish lady. He's prescribed metcam for her discomfort for a few days to see if she improves. She is eating, drinking and still enjoying cuddles but he seemed to think her quality of life is now poor and I should consider putting her to sleep. I don't want to do that while she is still enjoying things . She lives with a younger piggy called Peanut who has started to groom her or barber her in the last couple of days and she is shrieking because she is unable to escape the attention due to her bad leg not working. How can I help make her more comfortable, the vet said not to separate them unless as last resort but if she coming to end of her life I'd like her to be comfortable and not have to endure Peanuts antics. Any advise please, also vet didn't prescribe a prebiotic, should he have done? I did ask him but he said it's more cats and dogs who suffer with gastric issues taking metcam, and piggies generally are ok? Is this true or should I get her some just in case, if so where from? Thanks in advance
 
Hi and welcome. There are several piggies on the forum who are living with arthritis. I think suggesting you put her to sleep is a little tough if they’ve not quite gotten to the bottom of the cause. Did the vet carry out an X-ray or scan of some sort? Or was it an ‘outer check so to speak? What is the plan if the metacam doesn’t appear to help her?

I’ll link to experienced (recommended) vets below. If you want to get a second opinion then you can hopefully find one within reasonable distance. But if your vet is experienced then I don’t know what you can do next.

With regards the barbering, is she chewing on piggy’s leg area and has hair grown shorter? I’ll also link to a thread on barbering below. I wouldn’t separate them for now as I think the company will do her good. Someone with more experience of arthritis and barbering will be along in good time to give you a more comprehensive answer.

As an aside, what dose was she given for metacam? Was it dog or cat metacam and is she getting a dose once or twice daily? Hope it works and she starts feeling better.

Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Barbering ( Eating Hair)
 
I’m sorry to hear that.

Metacam won’t cause digestive problems so a probiotic won’t be needed (they are needed for antibiotics though).
 
Siikibam said:
Hi and welcome. There are several piggies on the forum who are living with arthritis. I think suggesting you put her to sleep is a little tough if they’ve not quite gotten to the bottom of the cause. Did the vet carry out an X-ray or scan of some sort? Or was it an ‘outer check so to speak? What is the plan if the metacam doesn’t appear to help her?

I’ll link to experienced (recommended) vets below. If you want to get a second opinion then you can hopefully find one within reasonable distance. But if your vet is experienced then I don’t know what you can do next.

With regards the barbering, is she chewing on piggy’s leg area and has hair grown shorter? I’ll also link to a thread on barbering below. I wouldn’t separate them for now as I think the company will do her good. Someone with more experience of arthritis and barbering will be along in good time to give you a more comprehensive answer.

As an aside, what dose was she given for metacam? Was it dog or cat metacam and is she getting a dose once or twice daily? Hope it works and she starts feeling better.

Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Barbering ( Eating Hair)
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Metcam for cats, dose is 2kg once daily. Speedys weight is 1kg. Iv only seen the grooming / barbering last night for first time when I went to investigate what all the squealing was about. Peanut was either grooming her or pulling the fur near her ears. The vet thinks Peanut is bullying her and the squeals are because her leg hurts but I don't agree.......I'm not saying her leg isn't troubling her, it must be , but she only shrieks when Peanut messes with her fur and as her leg is bad she can't walk away as easy as before. I'm doing what I can to improve their cage set up and il see how the metcam works ......thank you
 
Is that 2ml once daily? It’s better for guinea pigs to have a dose twice daily. They have a fast metabolism so one dose will only really last half a day (12 hours). Perhaps speak to the vet and see what they say.

She may have been grooming her ear. They sometimes know their friends are ill so she may be offering comfort.

I just had a thought. If she’s not very mobile then you will need to make sure she can easily reach hay, her veg and pellets (when she get them) and water as well. I would also consider weighing her once daily in the morning just to be sure she is still eating well.
 
Siikibam said:
Is that 2ml once daily? It’s better for guinea pigs to have a dose twice daily. They have a fast metabolism so one dose will only really last half a day (12 hours). Perhaps speak to the vet and see what they say.

She may have been grooming her ear. They sometimes know their friends are ill so she may be offering comfort.

I just had a thought. If she’s not very mobile then you will need to make sure she can easily reach hay, her veg and pellets (when she get them) and water as well. I would also consider weighing her once daily in the morning just to be sure she is still eating well.
Click to expand...
Not sure about the dose it's a cat syringe done in kg, vet said to give her 2 kg once a day, wether that's the same as 2ml I have no idea. She weighs 1kg. I don't want to overdose and give the 2kg twice but do u think 1kg twice a day be better? Or would that not be enough? I have put hay , and pellets on both sides of cage and 3 water bottles are available. Thanks so much
 
Please speak to the vet first before you make any changes. Does the syringe have a measure on it?

Hope she has a good night.
 
Siikibam said:
Please speak to the vet first before you make any changes. Does the syringe have a measure on it?

Hope she has a good night.
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Yes it has a measure in kg. She has had a good night thank you and is now enjoying her brekkie veges xx il post an update later thank you all
 
Esstina2 said:
Yes it has a measure in kg. She has had a good night thank you and is now enjoying her brekkie veges xx il post an update later thank you all
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@esstina have you opened a second account? Members are limited to one account each. Which account would you like to keep.
Tagging @BossHogg - as at some point he will need to close one or other of your accounts.
 
Il keep this one as its easier on my phone, how do I delete the other e mail address please?
 
Esstina2 said:
Il keep this one as its easier on my phone, how do I delete the other e mail address please?
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I’ll ask @BossHogg to transfer your posts over to this account and he will then delete the other account. Please can you stick to just one account as that is the rule for all members. Thank you.
 
Siikibam said:
Is that 2ml once daily? It’s better for guinea pigs to have a dose twice daily. They have a fast metabolism so one dose will only really last half a day (12 hours). Perhaps speak to the vet and see what they say.

She may have been grooming her ear. They sometimes know their friends are ill so she may be offering comfort.

I just had a thought. If she’s not very mobile then you will need to make sure she can easily reach hay, her veg and pellets (when she get them) and water as well. I would also consider weighing her once daily in the morning just to be sure she is still eating well.
Click to expand...
Hi all, just a quick update, iv changes cage to a 5 x 2 c and c , food and hay at both ends so she can access without walking much. The metacam has really helped, she is much more mobile now and the barbering has ceased. Both my girls seem much happier in their new home. Thanks to all who offered me advise
 
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