An alternative to Metacam
Hi everyone!
My guinea pig Bebita is almost 7 years old, and she has hyperthyroidism and arthritis, amongst some other things.
She also has a very sensitive stomach and is prone to gut issues and infections.
At the moment, she is in need of some pain relief for her arthritis, which is most likely getting worse due to her age and the drop in temperature. I am looking for an alternative to Metacam that would be less harsh on the stomach. Metacam is not suitable for her because of her ongoing gut issues. She reacted quite badly to that when I gave it to her recently.
My vet suggested giving infant paracetamol (100g, 2 times a day). Does anyone have any other ideas? Thank you in advance 🙏
My guinea pig Bebita is almost 7 years old, and she has hyperthyroidism and arthritis, amongst some other things.
She also has a very sensitive stomach and is prone to gut issues and infections.
At the moment, she is in need of some pain relief for her arthritis, which is most likely getting worse due to her age and the drop in temperature. I am looking for an alternative to Metacam that would be less harsh on the stomach. Metacam is not suitable for her because of her ongoing gut issues. She reacted quite badly to that when I gave it to her recently.
My vet suggested giving infant paracetamol (100g, 2 times a day). Does anyone have any other ideas? Thank you in advance 🙏
- Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
Here's a 2013 paper discussing paracetamol (which is actually acetaminophen) for dogs.
It points out that it seems to be easier on the gastric system (which is what your vet told you):
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/def ... 72&print=1
The Merck manual also mentions its use in cats, dogs, and horses. This is worth a read too:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmaco ... n_v3337675
They note that, "has little ulcerogenic potential" which seems to also confirm it's easier on the digestive system.
I do not have any specific advice on its use in guinea pigs. It does not show up on my Fourth Edition (old) of Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary.
Sounds like it would be worth trying.
It points out that it seems to be easier on the gastric system (which is what your vet told you):
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/def ... 72&print=1
The Merck manual also mentions its use in cats, dogs, and horses. This is worth a read too:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmaco ... n_v3337675
They note that, "has little ulcerogenic potential" which seems to also confirm it's easier on the digestive system.
I do not have any specific advice on its use in guinea pigs. It does not show up on my Fourth Edition (old) of Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary.
Sounds like it would be worth trying.
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- You can quote me
We used Tylenol successfully for one of ours, ages ago, for months, if not years. The dose looks right, or at least in the neighborhood, of what I remember using.
There aren't a lot of vet references out there for it, but our vet at the time found one and we used it very successfully.
There aren't a lot of vet references out there for it, but our vet at the time found one and we used it very successfully.
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- You can quote me
https://guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopi ... l#p2203208
https://guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopi ... l#p2318280
Also ask your vet about Rimadyl (carprofen). This is an older drug, but one we've used successfully in the past.
https://guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopi ... l#p2318280
Also ask your vet about Rimadyl (carprofen). This is an older drug, but one we've used successfully in the past.