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Post by KarenPlanetGuinea on Dec 8, 2008 17:43:07 GMT
One of the first signs of Osteodystrophy can be bunny hopping or when guinea hops instead of the legs moving independently of each other.
While guinea is moving around he probably isn't in pain, the hopping is a way of moving to avoid pain.
This will progress to guinea moving around less and spending more time 'just sitting'.
Strange positions when guinea lays down may become evident, once again this is to avoid pain but isn't always noticeable in guinea pigs.
I have used Potters Tabritis tablets with success for a while until the pain increases and either Meadow Sweet Syrup (NOT the one that contains alcohol) or Rimadyl for severe pain, The guinea is not going to survive the OD anyway, the long term effects of OD are not, in this case, relevant. I have found that Satins seem to become lethargic when given Metacam so given the choice would not recommend it. However if there is only Metacam (and all surgeries should have both!) then it is more important that guinea is not in pain...
Each case needs to be judged on its own merits by the person with the guinea pig.
There is no cure for OD but it is important to provide relief in the latter stages.
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Post by KarenPlanetGuinea on Jul 28, 2009 14:59:47 GMT
I think it is important to note that once your OD Satin starts to take painkillers these must be viewed as for life.
The painkillers will usually allow the satin to move in ways that they wouldn't do normally because of pain, when the effect of the painkillers wears off the guinea pig is probably going to be feeling very stiff. Deciding whether or not to start Satins with OD on painkillers is something that needs a lot of thought and if the commitment to providing them all the time can't be kept then the situation needs reviewing.
For this reason it is best, I believe, to only give the painkillers when the satin cannot alleviate the pain by sitting 'awkwardly' or bunny hopping.
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