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Tramadol - Pain relief for arthritis

worried val of york

worried val of york

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I took my 5 and half year old boar to vet on Monday as he wasn't moving around as he usually did. The vet arranged for xrays and blood tests to be done that day. The xrays indicated arthritis, and the blood tests came through on Thursday to confirm Arthritis. She has prescribed 0.05ml Tramadol twice a day t relieve his pain and encourage him to move.
Has anyone used Tramadol for pain in guinea pigs?
 
I have used tramadol but only when needed as extra, I would ask for Metacam first off unless there's a reason he can't have that.

The Metacam is an anti-inflammatory so will target the inflammation and help slow down further damage to the joints whereas tramadol just blocks the pain.

Fudge was on tramadol on top of her Metacam for arthritis, she was on 6 mg every 8 hours which is alot but she wasn't sleepy in the slightest. Crunchie used to need tramadol for her arthritis before her laser therapy and cbd oil but she couldn't tolerate anymore than 1mg as it made her sleepy!
 
I have one experience of quite marked arthritis. Bumble was put on metacam which was upped when needed. I had actually booked an appointment to go in for a switch to tramadol as the metacam was no longer doing enough when she passed away
 
I am taking Streaky back to vets tomorrow 9.20 am. The vets have increased opening hours for over the weekend. The Tramadol dosage of 0.05ml doesn't seem to be providing any relief. He is hardly moving still and his stomach is soaked in urine. He does accept the Critical Care Fine Blend syringe feeds but is not interested in hay and now his impaction is worse as its one solid lump rather than made of many poops.
 
I agree. When I fill the syringe it is difficult to see the Tramadol as its such a small amount. I will discuss with the vet the possibility of just Loxicom/Metacam instead. I do have some Loxicom prescribed for both my dogs one who had pancreatitis and the other who had been spayed so it would be good if the vet approved it for Streaky.
 
Metacam is iffy for long term use especially in small animals, I know for dogs and cats blood tests are required every 6 months or so for long term Metacam use to make sure it isn't affecting kidney(?) function. There's no version of Metacam specifically for guinea pigs or rabbits, just dogs and cats, which is another problem (recommended doses for small animals are quite vague from what I've heard).

Ultimately it's down to what you think is best as an owner and what the vet thinks is best as a professional and is willing to prescribe.
 
ChiefJustice said:
Metacam is iffy for long term use especially in small animals, I know for dogs and cats blood tests are required every 6 months or so for long term Metacam use to make sure it isn't affecting kidney(?) function. There's no version of Metacam specifically for guinea pigs or rabbits, just dogs and cats, which is another problem (recommended doses for small animals are quite vague from what I've heard).

Ultimately it's down to what you think is best as an owner and what the vet thinks is best as a professional and is willing to prescribe.
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You are right in that metacam can affect kidney function in long term use. However, in my opinion, it's all about quality of life over quantity. Having been in this position before I would not hesitate to give daily pain relief so that a piggy could live a normal life for a short time than have the poor piggy suffering for an extended time. This makes accepting long term medication one of the easiest vet decisions for me
 
@Lady Kelly totally agree with you. I had a long chat with exotic specialist John Chitty about this. His view is that quality of life is far more important that keeping an animal alive for the longest time possible. He said the damage to kidneys is unproven and doses for guineas can be a lot higher where needed (in line with the first point). I have to say since upping my girls dosage she has been so much happier, put on weight, is much more vocal and eats like a horse!
 
Lady Kelly said:
You are right in that metacam can affect kidney function in long term use. However, in my opinion, it's all about quality of life over quantity. Having been in this position before I would not hesitate to give daily pain relief so that a piggy could live a normal life for a short time than have the poor piggy suffering for an extended time. This makes accepting long term medication one of the easiest vet decisions for me
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Oh of course, I wasn't trying to suggest that the animal should go without pain relief. I'm not a vet so I don't know if long term tramadol use has the same side effects as Metacam seeing as it's opioid based and not an NSAID, but maybe that's why the vet chose to prescribe one over the other?
 
The morning vet appointment before Honey had to be emergency PTS I was given Tramadol, (in tablet form as they ran out of liquid) she never got to take it as the next course was due in the morning. She also was given it as a post op medication after her spay. Unfortunately that's the only input I can add. I know it's given occasionally, but not heard of it being a daily medication
 
I used tablets and metacam with one of my elderly piggies and it certainly helped.
Sending hugs.xx
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Also if not mentioned, try glucosamine tablets by oxbow. These have very good reviews on amazon for rabbits and guinea pigs 👍( i had an old boar with arthiritis)
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Hi, did your guineas take them ok? I have often thought about buying these but were;nt sure how palatable they were for guineas? Be good to see what your guys thought?
 
Guinea Slave said:
Hi, did your guineas take them ok? I have often thought about buying these but were;nt sure how palatable they were for guineas? Be good to see what your guys thought?
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I bought some of these for my late Sam and although they were hard to chew he seemed to really like them.I also bought the urinary support ones.
 
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