Turmeric For Arthritis

[Aryank84]

Hi,

I've just found out my 5 year old female piggy has arthritis in her back and there's pressure on her spinal cord. She is absolutely fine in herself, but is sometimes squeaking when I lift her up. The vet has said she'll probably have to be on metacam for the rest of her life. A friend of mine suggested using turmeric/golden paste. Apparently it can help in humans and her friend's dog has had it and seen an improvement. Has anyone heard of this? And what are people's thoughts on giving it to a GP.

This is the recipe I've found:
1/2 cup (125 mls/60gms) turmeric powder

• 1 cup water (250 mls)

• 1/3 cup (70 mls) Raw/Cold Pressed/Unrefined Coconut/Flaxseed-Linseed Oil, Virgin/Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 2-3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Place turmeric and water in pan, stirring over gentle heat until you have a thick paste. This should take about 7-10 minutes and you may need to add additional water along the way.

Add the freshly ground pepper and oil AT THE END of cooking. Stir well (a whisk is ideal) to incorporate the oil and allow to cool.

Are these ingredients ok for guinea pigs? And if so, would it be ok to give alongside the metacam?

Thanks,
Aryan x

 

[Wiebke]

Not at all sure on the spices for guinea pigs, but flax- and linseed oil is safe to use.
Vegan/vegetarian glucosamine for bone arthritis is also good .

 

[Adelle]

I Used GP (golden paste) for arthritis for my elderly sow at the start of the year.. But it made her slightly gassy and i decided to stop it. Oxbow senior support hay tabs have been excellent for her arthritis. She is 7.5, by no means nimble like a youngster but definately much more agile than she was.

Try olive oil instead of the coconut oil, as this is fattening for piggies. But make sure your oil is extra virgin/cold pressed, as ones that aren't actually cause inflammation.. Rendering the gp useless!

It is rich so make sure u start EXTREMELY low dose.. I.e a spot on the tip of a syringe.

Due to the black pepper being used to increase absorbancy of the turmeric and heightening its anti inflammatory effects, it can also make medicines absorb quicker causing them to have a stronger effect.. Make sure you space the GP apart from any other medications.

Ofcourse, it isnt widely used in guinea pigs so bare in mind it will be given at your own risk :-)

 

[Aryank84]

Thanks very much for the advice guys. I might try the glucosamine, it worked on my dodgy knees! :-)

I might try to do some more research into turmeric. She's not really in much pain (that I know of) apart from the odd time when I pick her up and she squeaks. I'm back at the vets next week to see how the metacam is working, but I go away for 3 weeks next week so am reluctant to try giving her anything new while I'm away.

Aryan x