Hi Everyone
I am worried about my guinea pig Big Boy, who is 4. A few months ago he lost his companion Little Boy to GI Stasis The vet mis-diagnosed him and by the time I found a competent vet it was too late.
Since then Big Boy has been alone. He was fine for a month or two but I've noticed that's he's not relishing his food as much as he usually does and is less active and drinking very little. He's not touching his hay or pellets so his stools have become dark and soft. I'm planning to stop with the fresh veggies to see if he starts eating more fibre. He hasn't lost weight at this stage but I am noticing the same signs as Little Boy had. I'm saving his stools so I can monitor if they become less or smaller.
Having learnt my lesson last time I took him to the vet the second day. Unfortunately there are not many vets in my area with guinea pig experience and the one I saw last time is on vacation. However I thought as they had my file for Little Boy they could follow the same procedure.
He had an xray and the vet found that he has quite bad arthritis in his hips even a small piece of bone that has split off. This obviously explains why he's not moving around as much. The vet said there didn't appear to be anything wrong in his stomach. It was full and there was a little bit of gas but he said that was normal.
We gave him some IV fluids and meloxicam for pain which seemed to perk him up a little bit (even using the ramp between the 2 cages) but now he's back to how he was before.
I have 2 more doses of oral meloxicam that I could give him. I also asked the vet for a dose of the medicine that kick-starts the digestive process (can't remember the name) which is what Little Boy was given when he became anorexic. I asked for this because we are on lock-down for the whole weekend because of the virus and I was worried that he might stop eating completely.
I have 2 new babies to keep him company but I'm waiting for their lab results before I can physically put them together. They can see and hear each other but this hasn't improved his mood as of yet.
What I am wondering is should I give him the other doses of meloxicam, even though it didnt seem to help him much? And at what stage should I give the medicine for his stomach?
I realise I should be asking a vet but that's really not an option right now. Thanks to anyone who can offer any advice.
I am worried about my guinea pig Big Boy, who is 4. A few months ago he lost his companion Little Boy to GI Stasis The vet mis-diagnosed him and by the time I found a competent vet it was too late.
Since then Big Boy has been alone. He was fine for a month or two but I've noticed that's he's not relishing his food as much as he usually does and is less active and drinking very little. He's not touching his hay or pellets so his stools have become dark and soft. I'm planning to stop with the fresh veggies to see if he starts eating more fibre. He hasn't lost weight at this stage but I am noticing the same signs as Little Boy had. I'm saving his stools so I can monitor if they become less or smaller.
Having learnt my lesson last time I took him to the vet the second day. Unfortunately there are not many vets in my area with guinea pig experience and the one I saw last time is on vacation. However I thought as they had my file for Little Boy they could follow the same procedure.
He had an xray and the vet found that he has quite bad arthritis in his hips even a small piece of bone that has split off. This obviously explains why he's not moving around as much. The vet said there didn't appear to be anything wrong in his stomach. It was full and there was a little bit of gas but he said that was normal.
We gave him some IV fluids and meloxicam for pain which seemed to perk him up a little bit (even using the ramp between the 2 cages) but now he's back to how he was before.
I have 2 more doses of oral meloxicam that I could give him. I also asked the vet for a dose of the medicine that kick-starts the digestive process (can't remember the name) which is what Little Boy was given when he became anorexic. I asked for this because we are on lock-down for the whole weekend because of the virus and I was worried that he might stop eating completely.
I have 2 new babies to keep him company but I'm waiting for their lab results before I can physically put them together. They can see and hear each other but this hasn't improved his mood as of yet.
What I am wondering is should I give him the other doses of meloxicam, even though it didnt seem to help him much? And at what stage should I give the medicine for his stomach?
I realise I should be asking a vet but that's really not an option right now. Thanks to anyone who can offer any advice.