Confused about metacam dose
ok, please let me preface this by saying that I did read many threads first. But, I only got more confused. It seems there are two different thoughts to how much metacam a guinea pig should have.
My piggy was given metacam by an exotics vet. He told me that they tolerate higher doses. She is 924 grams(about .9 kilos). He prescribed .6cc once a day but said she could tolerate as much as 1.2. The metacam is 1.5mg/ml.
I was actually looking for threads on how long a piggy can stay on metacam safely and I found conflicting thoughts on dosages.
My piggy was given metacam by an exotics vet. He told me that they tolerate higher doses. She is 924 grams(about .9 kilos). He prescribed .6cc once a day but said she could tolerate as much as 1.2. The metacam is 1.5mg/ml.
I was actually looking for threads on how long a piggy can stay on metacam safely and I found conflicting thoughts on dosages.
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- Let Sleeping Pigs Lie
You are probably referring to this thread:
The Maximum Metacam Discussion
There are many members here that have had guinea pigs with arthritis or other painful issues on low doses of Metacam (meloxicam) for longer periods of time without problems.
This thread might be helpful as well, as it mentions somes dosages for long-term pain relief:
Request for Arthritis Treament Protocols
The Maximum Metacam Discussion
There are many members here that have had guinea pigs with arthritis or other painful issues on low doses of Metacam (meloxicam) for longer periods of time without problems.
This thread might be helpful as well, as it mentions somes dosages for long-term pain relief:
Request for Arthritis Treament Protocols
Piggy was on about that much metacam but he was having some severe post-surgical complications and we needed something to help him. The vet made it clear this was not a long term option and wanted him weaned down as soon as possible. We used an opiate as well but he didn't tolerate it well.
She stopped eating her hay and pellets Saturday. She did have a torn toenail that had to be removed at the quick the previous week. No infection, No limp. Her vet check showed her to be healthy, teeth great (including molars and roots). So, the vet said that it could be
1. Pain (from the toe) or inflamation somewhere that we could not find.
2. She may be eating less due to issues with our other sow. She is being chased around more lately.
He said to do a few days of metacam since the toe was still a bit swollen (he said to imagine losing a nail at the nail bed for us) and that would encourage her to eat more if it were a pain issue.
1. Pain (from the toe) or inflamation somewhere that we could not find.
2. She may be eating less due to issues with our other sow. She is being chased around more lately.
He said to do a few days of metacam since the toe was still a bit swollen (he said to imagine losing a nail at the nail bed for us) and that would encourage her to eat more if it were a pain issue.
It's SO hard to say because I would never, ever want any animal to ever be in pain, but no I probably wouldn't give her that much for what you're describing. Your vet is probably wanting more potent anti-inflammatory effects for her toe. Unfortunately I'm not a vet, doctor, or pharmacist so I don't know at what dose that kicks in for Metacam. Piggy (1.3kg) was prescribed 0.05cc to start with and we got up to 0.5cc when he was extremely lethargic and not eating anything at all. I wouldn't start her above 0.2. You want the minimum possible dose that provides relief. It's hard to know that when you "come out blazing" at the top dose.
Ok 0.06 is a VERY standard initial dose! I'm glad you got your decimals sorted out. It's very confusing for people to read a 1cc syringe who aren't used to reading small fractions. This is why engineers insist on writing all fractions with a zero before the decimal point. There is no mistaking 0.06 from 0.6 but .06 and .6 suddenly look dangerously similar.
Well, rshevin, I was giving a very low dose and she is fine. SO, my thought is to just stop. I think her probelm is either
1. Issues with Guinness that have escalated. No blood but "words" spoken and chasing out of beds and away from food.
2. Bored with hay I had, I just switched and she ate more.
3. (I hope this is not it) but an underlying condition we have yet to uncover.
1. Issues with Guinness that have escalated. No blood but "words" spoken and chasing out of beds and away from food.
2. Bored with hay I had, I just switched and she ate more.
3. (I hope this is not it) but an underlying condition we have yet to uncover.