Baby Guinea Pig with head tilt

[Linda Jane]

I've just got two baby guinea pigs about 10 weeks old from Pets at Home. I've had them just over a week. The brown one Lulu had a crusty eye the day after we brought her home and I took her to the vet and was given eye drops and antibiotics to go in her water bottle. The vet said it wouldn't hurt the other one Daisy, to have the antibiotics also. Lulu is now fine and well but Daisy has developed a horrible head tilt. She's still terrified when handled and goes into 'freeze' mode and her head looks terrible. I've taken her back to the vets and she's now been prescribed an anti-inflamatory/pain killer and oral antibiotics in case she has something wrong with her ear. When we first got her, she looked fine and didn't appear as terrified as she does now. I've weighed her and she gained 40 grams in 5 days so it doesn't appear to be hampering her eating habits. Does anyone else have experience of guinea pigs with a head tilt? I find it quite distressing to see her like this. Lulu who has been handled the same as Daisy is inquisitive and cheeky but poor Daisy is still so afraid. I don't know what to do for the best, the fact that she's gaining weight gives me some hope but i'm even wondering whether the antibiotics in her water initially may have contributed to this condition and now she's on a stronger dose of antibiotics We've only had them just over a week so I'm sure some guinea pigs take longer to settle them others so Daisy's nervousness may not be uncommon, but her head tilt really does concern me. Any advice or suggestions would be welcome. I hate to see any animal suffer.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Has the vet checked her ears properly ?
Sometimes mites or generally dirty ears can give them an imbalance so antibiotics would not really be of any use.
Another problem could be neurological - does your girl turn on one spot ?
I have a sow that had/has a tilt which was investigated, she was on antibiotics and a course of Panacur - outcome believed to be a possible injury from previous owners before her rescue
How savvy on piggies is your vet - there are some great ones around, where are you located ?

 

[gizmo01]

do get them checked by a vet, but if its permanent and doesn't lessen the quality of life it isn't the worst thing. as long as the pig is medically well. our lil piglet lived happily with a head tilt for ages, just made him look cute and questioning. the only thing it may effect in the long run is balance but, as long as it happy you can get round that (single level hutch, not lifting them all the time etc...)

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

I don't want to sound condescending, but it doesn't sound like your vet is very cavy savvy. It's not a good idea to put meds (whether vit c or anything else ) in water because it affects the taste and may put them off drinking. Plus, you can't guarantee the dose they're actually ingesting, and sometimes the water affects the quality of the meds. Well done taking them to the vet, but maybe you should get a second opinion. As for the pigs being scared and cautious, that's very normal. Sometimes it can take months for them to be confident. Hth xx.

 

[Wiebke]

Pleae be aware that antibiotics in a water bottle are useless - you simply cannot control the intake. Always syringe any medication. If you have been given baytril, I can guarantee you that the piggies won't drink anything; it is an awful tasting medicine! Please ask for a probiotic when you are given an antibiotic; it is vital to keep a piggy's guts going.

A crusty eye can signal a potential URI (Upper respiratory tract infection, which can spread quickly amongst stressed shop piggies). A head tilt can be due to an ear infection or a neurological problem; please have that cleared by a competent piggy savvy vet. An untreated or undertreated ear infection can kill or leave a piggy unnecessarily with a permanent head tilt.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html

Where are you located? Perhaps some members can recommend a good vet in your area.

 

[Gracie01]

Has the vet looked inside your piggies ears? It is really important to find out what is causing the head tilt to be able to treat it correctly. If your piggy has an ear infection and it is not treated correctly there may be some permanent damage, and if your piggy is in pain then it may affect his behaviour.

 

[Linda Jane]

Thanks for all your replies. The vet she is seeing is actually in one of the Pets at Home stores, so I was hoping as they sell small animals in store the vets there would be quite knowledgable re. guinea pigs. He did in fact check her ears, but didn't comment after looking in them. I live near Bristol, so if anyone can recommend a vet that is good with guinea pigs I would be interested to know. She had a cuddle tonight and actually sat on my lap and ate banana and spinach, which is a slight improvement. Will keep a close eye on her and if anything worsens will be back at the vets.

 

[The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue]

Hello dear.I have a piggie with a permanent head tilts,Tilly was unwanted by a show person as she was no good to show ! She had it quite severley when she arrived but after antibiotics it settled and she now runs around quite normally and its so cute with her wonky gaze at me.I pick her up only when needed as it stresses her and i hold her very securely and talk gently to her.Its also quite funny as she is the only piggie to master the ramp in the girls big hutch !

 

[Freela]

It sounds like you need a new vet! I can pretty much guarantee that if you are giving antibiotics in the water bottle, they are getting a sub-therapeutic dose (ie. too little to do any good.) A lot of animals won't drink water that has meds mixed in, a lot of meds are inactivated by water/light, and there is no way to know what dosage you are getting into them. I would definitely seek out a second opinion from a vet with a good working knowledge of small animals!

 

[sweetpeas mummy]

Baby Pig from PAH with head tilt- DITTO!

Hello Linda, I am new on here so Hi and I am sorry we are talkign under such circumstances.

I have been a guinea pig owener since ... well birth. My family run the local branch of a nationwide animal charity so I know pigs very very well.

I currently own a pig (3 months) who i bougght from 'adoption corner' in Pets at Home- I felt sorry for her, she was clearly ill- head titlt, runny eyes. etc. In the last year I have had three guinea pigs from there because they were ill. All dies of respiratory infection, despite constant vet care from the day they were perchased and indoor living quarters. PAH breed sick and weak stock. Sad. Very very sad.

However head tilted Sweetpea is defying the odds! sniffles have gone, anti biotics have not helped her head, ( no ear infection) xrays show it is congenital (birth defect)

However the vets have been impressed as they have noticed an improvement in its degree as I have been massaging her neck ( she loves it) given her a hay rack so she reaches up slightly to eat, strengthening her neck muscles, and most of all a whole room to run in every night. She now runs, popcorns, tears around like a mad thing. Its brilliant to see her just like others but wonky. She DOES NOT run in circles and I would never keep one that did as it would be highly distressing. Now her sniffles have gone and she is heavier and strong I am looking for a suitable mate ( she was bullied at PAH due to her weakness)

It can take a while to settle in, all pigs are different. Time, patience, gentleness have won over Sweetpea, who eat out of my hand when she is free on the floor. Good luck. contact me any time x

Oh and BTW- I swear she is the best pig ever.

 

[TAN]

There is a sticky on here with a list of recommended vets - am sure you will find several in your area - good luck

 

[*Nibbles&Nugget*]

It could be anything from ear mites to an ear infection (having experienced both of those I know how distressing it can be) I have to repeat what others say; get to a cavy savvy vet.

My little Bingo has a permanant head tilt as a result of an ear infection. Thankfully he doesn't seem to bothered by it. In fact it upset us more! Now I am used to it I consider it a quirk of his personality.

I hope you find out what is wrong with your little one soon.

Amy
x

 

[Floydie]

Have you checked her eyes your self? I ask because one of my girls had a head tilt one morning (after being fine) I checked her over and she had a seed (from the food) stuck in her eye. After i got it out she stopped tilting her head.

 

[sweetpeas mummy]

I think Linda, that you must ( and obviuosly are) doing what you can BUT if her condition is terrifying her and she doesnt improve then you ahve to think about her ability to live as happily and naturally as a pig should. A life of stress for a pig is no life at all. x