Pip the Robo

[RainbowBrite]

Aw that is so cute! Could he be asking to go in his playpen?

 

[Maz]

Maybe I wondered that too. He is well and truly settled in now. I’ll try offering him something to walk into but he’ll probably run away again.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I would love to see a picture of Pip peering over at you.

 

[Maz]

I will try and get one but always seem to have my hands full when he does it! And never know when he’ll be out

 

[elusive]

It’s so sweet the way he comes out for a chat peering over the panel or through the bars, I’d love to see a photo too but it is tricky to catch them at the right moment.
I did wonder if he’s wanting some out of cage time again now too.

 

[ilguy]

How old is little Pip now?

 

[Jain]

Pip continues to come and peer over the panel when the door is open. I think he’s slowed down a little bit now he’s older. But not that much! It’s quite sweet he is not afraid to be so close to me face to face.

He also comes up to the bars to talk to me. I wish I knew what he wanted to say. So I’m keeping my eye on him in case he is trying to say he has a problem - but seems ok.

If only they could talk body language can be so hard to "hear"

 

[Maz]

How old is little Pip now?

He is really quite old now - over two years old. I’m thinking of taking him to the vet at some point to get some Metacam - just in case he has any aches and pains - but not for a couple of weeks as need to time it. Also he can’t be on it indefinitely and could live another year or more so am thinking about it.

 

[Maz]

Pip had a trip to the vets today. He looks well and is still as active as ever so it was really about getting older and in case he has any pain anywhere (seeing as his back legs aren’t so good) and to get some Metacam. And he has the fur loss around his backside area - which makes his legs look longer.

He had a lot of attention and posed suitably poking his head out of the snooze cube at a vet and two receptionists who all said aw he’s so cute

He weighs 25g at the moment. I’m posting a photo of what I do when taking a Robo to the vets in case it’s helpful for anyone eise.

Pip goes in the pet carrier with the snooze cube inside. I put henp mat and a couple of toys in the shallow bin then put the pet carrier in the bin and carry the bin into the vet surgery.

Once in there I lift the snooze cube (with hamster inside) out of the pet carrier and put it down inside the bin and removing the pet carrier from the bin. The hamster can emerge from the snooze cube at their own pace and the vet can get a good view of them - plus it’s easier for the vet to pick them up from the bin.

It was actually Loxicom I was given which I’d unusual. In the U.K. it’s usually Metacam. Same drug but different branding. But I thought Metacam was EU and Loxicom was US. Maybe due to U.K. not being part of EU any more?

I got a good look at his balding bum while he was in the bin as well.

 

[elusive]

Good to hear Pip’s vet visit went well & he has some metacam now, it’s reassuring to know he won’t have any aches & pains in his old age. Did the vet say anything about the hair loss or is it just part of his aging?
Good idea to put the carrier in the bin for the vets, Pip looks very cute peering out of his snooze cube there.

 

[ilguy]

Always great to see more of little Pip, he's always been one of my favorites to follow. What kind of carrier do you use? I need to get one for any future visits

 

[Maz]

It’s a Ferplast aladino Guinea pig size but there are others that are very similar. Main thing is it’s about that size. It’s 30cm x 21cm.

Ferplast Aladino

 

[Maz]

Good to hear Pip’s vet visit went well & he has some metacam now, it’s reassuring to know he won’t have any aches & pains in his old age. Did the vet say anything about the hair loss or is it just part of his aging?
Good idea to put the carrier in the bin for the vets, Pip looks very cute peering out of his snooze cube there.

It was a new young vet who was very nice and had to go and check with someone else a couple of times. Said it could be a number of things I was already aware of. I'm thinking about it. For now I'm just going to give him Metacam and see how he goes.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, look at little Pip looking out at you! He is just adorable. I am glad the vet visit went well.

I have had Loxicom for guinea pigs before.

 

[Maz]

It’s a Ferplast aladino Guinea pig size but there are others that are very similar. Main thing is it’s about that size. It’s 30cm x 21cm.

Ferplast Aladino

I forgot to take a photo of the pet carrier inside the box.

 

[Member ID2]

Glad all went well at the vets.

I've been given Loxicom for a couple of years or so. I think Meloxicam is the generic name and Metacam - Loxicom are brand names.

 

[Maz]

Yes it's the same thing. Just surprised as the Metacam used to be the EU brand and the norm for the Uk. Maybe changed since Brexit.

 

[Member ID2]

Is it manufactured in the UK? I'm not at home or i'd have a look.

 

[Maz]

Loxicom is manufactured by a US company. Metacam is EU. Metacam is made by Boehringer in Germany. Loxicom by Norbrook in the US. They both contain the drug Meloxicam but the formulations may be slightly different. I'll have a look at that as I still have an old out of date bottle of Metacam (I think).

 

[Maz]

Reading the data sheets on line, the contents and makeup of both are identical - so it is purely branding. Seems strange the Uk are importing it from the US rather than Europe though.

Edit - Norbrook also manufacture it in the Uk in Northern Ireland so that might explain the change.