Conditions Back pain

[staphjermz]

Hi there,
Last night i noticed my guinea pig was not sleeping right. He usually sleeps a bit like a dog. Now he sleeps with his bottom in the air and front legs stretched. When he does lie like a dog when he sleeps, he struggles to get up with his hind legs. I took him to the vet today and he moaned while they were pressing his spine and said he has back pain. Is this common? My partner is going to take him to the specialist tomorrow as the vet that looked at my guinea pig today misdiagnosed him last time with a UTI.
Back pain common with age? My guinea pig is nearly 5 years old

 

[Ly&Pigs]

I'd be asking about arthritis in the back hips, legs and in the spine. Arthritis seems to be something that affects older guinea pigs (and sometimes younger ones).

I'd ask for X-rays.

 

[staphjermz]

Thanks Ly & Pigs. I check the guinea lynx forum and hammy does walk like the video. My poor baby. He's only on 0.25 mls of Metacam daily.

 

[salana]

Get an X-ray.

He walks like Jackie? Jackie's arthritis is pretty obvious on X-ray.

 

[salana]

I'd add, 0.25 is a fairly high dose of Metacam. You might consider starting him on glucosamine/chondroitin (Cosequin) to see if it helps.