Advice for a Piggie with an ear infection

[C1994]

Hello guys,
This is my first post honestly,

Hazey, my and my fiancées first pig, has an ear infection and according to our local vet she only has a mild one.... An infection in out baby's ear is a bad thing either way you look it.

There's two things I was hoping for some advice with.

First is encouraging her to eat as she really doesn't seem to want to eat, she nibbles a bit here and there but no where near what she normally eats and she just generally seems disinterested in food.

Second is the whole giving her the antibiotics, having never done this how the heck would I do it?

Apollogies if these are basic and silly questions but for Hazey I don't mind looking a bit daft.

Cheers guys.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Sorry to hear she is not well.

If she isn’t eating enough for herself, then you will need to syringe feed her either mushed up pellets or critical care if you have any. Monitor her weight daily fo ensure it remains stable as this will mean she is getting enough food (either in the form of eating hay for herself and/or your syringe feeding her).

The guides below explain syringe feeding and the importance of it, together with a video of how to administer meds via syringe

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Today's instructional video on our Facebook page - Syringe feeding

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry that your little one is ill.

I assume that you have been given baytril, which is about as foul tasting as they come. Personally the best way to give it is to get in as quickly as you can and then follow up with the same amount of ribena to wash away the taste.
Use our piggy whispering techniques to assert your authority in their own social interactive way so it is a bit less of a fight. I have learned these tricks by watching how my more savvy piggies deal with problematic mates and keep the peace. That is why these simple tips are surprisingly effective!
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips (basic whispering)
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you? (follow-on)


@Piggies&buns has already given you our support feeding and medicating guide and video links so you can learn what you need to do and how to go about if a piggy is not eating properly step by step - it is well worth reading them all!
Always switch from the usual weekly weigh in and body health check to a daily one if your piggy is not well so you can step in and adapt the level of support care according to whether your piggy is still eating mostly, partially or not at all for themselves. Please keep in mind that unlimited hay should make around 80% of the daily food intake with ca. 50g of preferably green veg and herbs about 50g/1 small bowl full and pellets just 1 tabelspoon per day. When you syringe feed, you mainly replace the hay your piggy is not eating.
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
As I know from a very bad ear infection myself, chewing and eating is very painful and you don't have much appetite. It will come back once the antibiotic kicks in and pain is getting less!

All the best!

PS: I hope that you may consider getting your little one a companion of her own kind as the best ever and most loving present you can make her once she has recovered. Guinea pigs are group animals and no wired to live on their own - and you get all the fun of the interaction, which is what makes them so unique and endearing. Sadly Switzerland is still the only country where it is against the law to sell and own single guinea pigs or any other group animals. Never underestimate the boost to the immune system that comes from the comfort and support from a companion!
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[C1994]

First off thanks for the quick replies and advice.
@Piggies&buns syringe feeding is something I have already looked into a bit. Thank you for the links and I will definitely be looking then over ASAP
With the daily weighing it is something we hae been doing for a few weeks now just to make sure Hazey is putting a little weight on a bit at a time as she seemed slightly underweight.

@Wiebke I assume you mean the dilute juice diluted heavily and not the premade stuff?
Again thanks for the links i will be looking them over once Hazey has been settled in from the trip to and from the Vets.

Getting her a friend is something that has been planned for a while just with current living arrangements it's difficult this will be changing soon though so a second piggie is higher in the list than a new sofa and bed.

Now with her eating she definitely eats a tad more than what you have suggested if I'm being honest.... She likes her food ALOT.

 

[Wiebke]

First off thanks for the quick replies and advice.
@Piggies&buns syringe feeding is something I have already looked into a bit. Thank you for the links and I will definitely be looking then over ASAP
With the daily weighing it is something we hae been doing for a few weeks now just to make sure Hazey is putting a little weight on a bit at a time as she seemed slightly underweight.

@Wiebke I assume you mean the dilute juice diluted heavily and not the premade stuff?
Again thanks for the links i will be looking them over once Hazey has been settled in from the trip to and from the Vets.

Getting her a friend is something that has been planned for a while just with current living arrangements it's difficult this will be changing soon though so a second piggie is higher in the list than a new sofa and bed.

Now with her eating she definitely eats a tad more than what you have suggested if I'm being honest.... She likes her food ALOT.

I mean the concentrate and not the diluted stuff - you give as much as you give baytril, plus some extra vitamin C to boost the immune system.

 

[Marlee and Fluffy]

So sorry for what you‘re going through, I hope Hazey gets better!

 

[C1994]

I mean the concentrate and not the diluted stuff - you give as much as you give baytril, plus some extra vitamin C to boost the immune system.

A trip to tesco later we have the Ribena and lots of tasty stuff for her.
The vitamin C thing is tricky we have ProC but normally she gets all her Vit C through fresh veg so may hae to give her a kittle sprinkle over the veg.


@Piggies&buns @Wiebke @Marlee and Fluffy
Thanks for all the advice and well wishes I really do appreciate it.
Hazey has finally eaten a bit of Romain after comma ding her humans to hand feed her.

 

[C1994]

So today we got Hazey out of her cage for her meds and she took them alright, gave her some lettuce and put her down.
That's where the problem started, she looked like she fell over once she went down on her feet and seemed to have trouble balancing for a little. She's now lying on the bed looking very lethargic and not really making any noise at all with her head tilted off to one side.
Is this normal? Should we be getting another vet appointment for today?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

So today we got Hazey out of her cage for her meds and she took them alright, gave her some lettuce and put her down.
That's where the problem started, she looked like she fell over once she went down on her feet and seemed to have trouble balancing for a little. She's now lying on the bed looking very lethargic and not really making any noise at all with her head tilted off to one side.
Is this normal? Should we be getting another vet appointment for today?

When they have ear infections, they become very disorientated when you first put them back down. Has she got up and started to move around now?

 

[C1994]

When they have ear infections, they become very disorientated when you first put them back down. Has she got up and started to move around now?

We took her back the vet and turns out the infection has spread to her inner ear she also has a ruptured ear drum.
On top of her antibiotics she now has anti inflammatory pain relief.
Since getting back from the vet she seems in all honestly pretty darn annoyed at us which is in a way good

 

[C1994]

Thought I would update on Hazey.

She is moving around like me after a few pints which is a massive improvement from yesterday where she was literally just sitting around doing nothing. Seems the antibiotics and anti inflammatories are helping out as well as a little boost from some syringe feeding. She has started chatting to us as well while we are feeding her and giving her a cuddle which is absolutely fantastic.

 

[artcasper]

Poor thing..bet it feels weird... hopefully the pain relief will help he through it and she makes a full recovery..

 

[alpacasqueak]

As someone who had my ear drum burst getting hit by a car years ago (and had lots of ear troubles afterwards) I feel her pain and wobbles bless her! So glad she’s feeling a bit better with her metacam and hopefully the antibiotics will be kicking in now too! Get well soon Hazey x

 

[C1994]

I think another update is in order.

First off I want to thank everyone for the support here it really has helped.
So Hazey is up and about more now the antibiotics and pain killers are doing their thing, syringe feeding is something she seems to be starting to enjoy the lazy thing
She's been eating more the last part of yesterday and today, even got a few semi enthusiastic wheeks this morning when I took her bowl out to get some fresh veggies.

She is definitely getting better.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I think another update is in order.

First off I want to thank everyone for the support here it really has helped.
So Hazey is up and about more now the antibiotics and pain killers are doing their thing, syringe feeding is something she seems to be starting to enjoy the lazy thing
She's been eating more the last part of yesterday and today, even got a few semi enthusiastic wheeks this morning when I took her bowl out to get some fresh veggies.

She is definitely getting better.

This is lovely news! You must be so relieved, to see her looking so much better x

 

[alpacasqueak]

Great news! x

 

[VickiA]

Wow, so glad to hear things are moving in the right direction. You are doing a great job.

 

[C1994]

So we have just weighed Hazey two days ago, she weighed 930g and having weighed her just now she has gained weight she's up to 975g. Me and the Mrs are definitely doing something right I think.

One thing we are curious about is when could she start going back to normal veggies and hay. She is eating a little hay and a bit of fresh veg and fruit now but it is a whole lot less than normal.
Also with the syringe feeding we hae been bulking it out a little with nuggets and some smashed banana or carrot, Is it something we should be limiting to one or two times a day?

 

[alpacasqueak]

I personally wouldn’t give the banana and carrot in every syringed meal just because it’s a lot of sugar really. But the nuggets aren’t a problem, a lot of pigs seem to prefer them to the recovery food when syringed!
So pleased she’s doing so well! Think we need a little pic of the cutey soon!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ensuring she has enough fibre - so hay or the critical care in place of the hay - is the priority. Do offer her the veg, but eating it isn’t the main focus of her daily diet as it is only around 15% of their intake anyway.
Fruit and carrots should always be kept limited, no more than once per week.

 

[C1994]

So this syringe feeding has hit its first major snag... She really is fighting us.
I've tried wrapping her in her blanket and everything but she really isn't entertaining it today. Was all going so well as well she was taking it without needing to be handled.
I have a feeling its uncomfortable for the poor little thing to chew and that's why she is t eating veg or nuggets at all and she's not eating a lot of hay.

 

[alpacasqueak]

Hope you’re managing to get more food into your little lady now.

 

[C1994]

Welp another vet visit and an injection of what ever the stuff is that helps pigs keep things moving and boost their appetite somewhat later... Hazey has left a few surprises in her cage and has eaten probably 3x the amount of hay she has been eating.
Hopefully it's all brighter from here.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

It sounds like she's really turned a corner! Onwards and upwards now, hopefully!

 

[alpacasqueak]

Welp another vet visit and an injection of what ever the stuff is that helps pigs keep things moving and boost their appetite somewhat later... Hazey has left a few surprises in her cage and has eaten probably 3x the amount of hay she has been eating.
Hopefully it's all brighter from here.

Hope it helps and she carries on scoffing her hay! x

 

[C1994]

Update time...
So hazeys still not really eating much and the syringe is her main food source. Me and the missus can't wait to get these antibiotics done and gone. Once they are done hopefully she will start eating again.
We have noticed one thing however, it looks like she has lost the sight in one of her eyes, the eye is noticably duller than the other and doesn't seem to react to light.

Am wondering more and more lately how long the side effects of the meds will carry on for. If anyone has any idea or experience with a pig who is on:
Baytril
Metacam
Emeprid
We would really appreciate any info you can give us.

These posts are becoming more about the journey of Hazey and the affects its has on her and us and less about advice. Suppose its good in a way for anyone else who's going through the same or similar with their pigs.
Anyway... Thanks guys from myself, the missus and Hazey!