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Balance Issue/head Tilt

Rocket

Rocket

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Hello! I recently took home a guinea pig (Rocket) from a pet store I work at. When he got to us at the store, his head was tilted constantly to one side and he would flip over a lot, had no balance, and his eyes were very glazed over. The vet diagnosed an ear infection and URI and he was on the proper medication until it was clear. He has still been isolated from the other guinea pigs at the store and was destined to live there forever so about 2 weeks ago, I took him home. Anyway, some of those previously stated issues improved after the medications (no more flipping over randomly, no more glazed eyes) but although he has been rid of the infection for a few months now, he still is very obviously different than other pigs. His head still tilts sometimes, he has balance issues and can’t step upward or downward without tipping over, he keeps his head straight up most of the time when he’s playing around the cage or being held and he freaks out when being carried (not so much when being held, just while in movement). His head also bobs up and down often and although he is always able to eventually find his water bottle and little treats I give him by hand, it always takes a few seconds for him to balance his head and lock onto whatever he’s trying to get. He also rarely makes any normal piggy noises. The most he’s done is some teeny tiny squeaks when he’s running around (often in circles) or having floor time, and I’ve heard a purr one time (pretty sure it was an annoyed one - I accidentally touched his back end). Oh, and yes - his cage is flat, no steps or upper levels or worrysome obstacles. I completely Rocket-proofed it.

Other than these things, he sleeps well, eats and drinks well, runs around as best as he can (but he doesn’t jump or popcorn), loves his veggies and chews, loves to snuggle up when he’s secure on a lap or a blanket... but these balance and behavior quirks are something I’ve never seen before. I was told it is something that just stayed with him from his infection, so it’s a neurological condition now and it’s just how he is. But has anyone else ever experienced this, heard of similar situations or have any advice?

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I'm sure one of the more experienced members of the forum would post soon, but I wanted to share with you the reassuring story of one of my now Rainbow piggies. His name was Alfie and, like rocket, he developed a head tilt due to an URI. Due to delays in the proper diagnosis, we started the treatment with a delay, and even after the URI and middle ear infection had cleared, he retained some neurological symptoms. These cleared out almost completely within a year though - the head tilt was gone, he was able to walk straight ahead, climb up and down houses and popcorn. The only thing that stayed with him was a slight shaking/twitching/twisting of one of his hind legs, which according to the not-so-experienced vet treating him was a result of the ear infection, too.

What I wanted to say is that it's very much possible that Rocket will recover and live a happy and healthy piggy life.
 
Rocket said:
Hello! I recently took home a guinea pig (Rocket) from a pet store I work at. When he got to us at the store, his head was tilted constantly to one side and he would flip over a lot, had no balance, and his eyes were very glazed over. The vet diagnosed an ear infection and URI and he was on the proper medication until it was clear. He has still been isolated from the other guinea pigs at the store and was destined to live there forever so about 2 weeks ago, I took him home. Anyway, some of those previously stated issues improved after the medications (no more flipping over randomly, no more glazed eyes) but although he has been rid of the infection for a few months now, he still is very obviously different than other pigs. His head still tilts sometimes, he has balance issues and can’t step upward or downward without tipping over, he keeps his head straight up most of the time when he’s playing around the cage or being held and he freaks out when being carried (not so much when being held, just while in movement). His head also bobs up and down often and although he is always able to eventually find his water bottle and little treats I give him by hand, it always takes a few seconds for him to balance his head and lock onto whatever he’s trying to get. He also rarely makes any normal piggy noises. The most he’s done is some teeny tiny squeaks when he’s running around (often in circles) or having floor time, and I’ve heard a purr one time (pretty sure it was an annoyed one - I accidentally touched his back end). Oh, and yes - his cage is flat, no steps or upper levels or worrysome obstacles. I completely Rocket-proofed it.

Other than these things, he sleeps well, eats and drinks well, runs around as best as he can (but he doesn’t jump or popcorn), loves his veggies and chews, loves to snuggle up when he’s secure on a lap or a blanket... but these balance and behavior quirks are something I’ve never seen before. I was told it is something that just stayed with him from his infection, so it’s a neurological condition now and it’s just how he is. But has anyone else ever experienced this, heard of similar situations or have any advice?

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As said above I'll leave it to a more experienced member to give you a more definite answer but I think it probably is just the way he is now.

What a lovely thing it was you did taking him home! He is gorgeous even with the tilt! X
 
He is gorgeous. I have heard of pigs being left with a residual head tilt and neurological issues after an inner ear infection. Can I ask what medication he was on and for how long? Also do you know if he was ever near any rabbits? Rabbits can pass on E-Cuniculli which has similar symptoms and is usually treated with a course of a wormer like Panacur.

Is he still on any anti-inflammatory like metacam?
 
Sounds very similar to my little Bramble, she has neurological damage due to E.cuniculi, although damage can also be done from infections. I always have panacur and metacam on hand in case it resurfaces but for the moment it's dormant, shes just left with the damage it caused...all in all shes a very happy piggy though. She often looks like she's following a good smell with the way she lifts her head up, she will swing from left to right until she targets what shes after and her good eye often has a glazed almost rolled back appearance. She is much, much steadier on her feet if she has solid objects close by to guide her, so I try to have as little open space for her as possible or she will circle and fall down.
 
RosieMaia said:
I'm sure one of the more experienced members of the forum would post soon, but I wanted to share with you the reassuring story of one of my now Rainbow piggies. His name was Alfie and, like rocket, he developed a head tilt due to an URI. Due to delays in the proper diagnosis, we started the treatment with a delay, and even after the URI and middle ear infection had cleared, he retained some neurological symptoms. These cleared out almost completely within a year though - the head tilt was gone, he was able to walk straight ahead, climb up and down houses and popcorn. The only thing that stayed with him was a slight shaking/twitching/twisting of one of his hind legs, which according to the not-so-experienced vet treating him was a result of the ear infection, too.

What I wanted to say is that it's very much possible that Rocket will recover and live a happy and healthy piggy life.
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Wow! This is great to hear. As unfortunate as it may be, I'm glad we can relate to someone out there. Thank you for sharing this with me! Gives me a lot of hope! <3
 
Jesse's pigs said:
As said above I'll leave it to a more experienced member to give you a more definite answer but I think it probably is just the way he is now.

What a lovely thing it was you did taking him home! He is gorgeous even with the tilt! X
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Thank you so much! He deserves so much love and I'm lucky I ended up with him. <3
 
helen105281 said:
He is gorgeous. I have heard of pigs being left with a residual head tilt and neurological issues after an inner ear infection. Can I ask what medication he was on and for how long? Also do you know if he was ever near any rabbits? Rabbits can pass on E-Cuniculli which has similar symptoms and is usually treated with a course of a wormer like Panacur.

Is he still on any anti-inflammatory like metacam?
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He was on Enrofloxacin and I believe Terramycin. I can't remember for how long but I'd say a few weeks at least. I also don't know for sure if he was ever around rabbits - we don't carry rabbits but it is possible since I'm sure the farm that supplies small animals for the pet store has rabbits around.

He isn't on any medication currently. I'm in the works of getting him an appointment with a vet but my main vet is cat-only and it's proven difficult to find a vet to see piggies in my area. I don't believe he's in pain, though - he's very active and has great appetite. That is the first thing I'm going to make sure of at the vet, though.
 
Eriathwen said:
Sounds very similar to my little Bramble, she has neurological damage due to E.cuniculi, although damage can also be done from infections. I always have panacur and metacam on hand in case it resurfaces but for the moment it's dormant, shes just left with the damage it caused...all in all shes a very happy piggy though. She often looks like she's following a good smell with the way she lifts her head up, she will swing from left to right until she targets what shes after and her good eye often has a glazed almost rolled back appearance. She is much, much steadier on her feet if she has solid objects close by to guide her, so I try to have as little open space for her as possible or she will circle and fall down.
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Wow, I didn't realize how common E.cuniculi was in guinea pigs. You say you keep metacam on hand - so do you think the condition causes pain?
 
Realy good that you have taken on the care needs of a head tilt (torticollis )pig, for some reason they seem to be moor friendly and respond to kindness than the average piggy, also be prepared for her condition to change with time! At the moment 3 boars (brothers with very slight tilts, that l rescued a few weeks ago!
I also have 1 little torti sow, her name is Wobaly!
Wobaly was rescued and brought to my place nearly 2 years ago !When Wobaly arived she had a very slight head tilt, but as time progesed she has developeded a pronounced gait in 2 legs but this do's not affect her quality of life in the least, she zooms around the pig room without any problems!

Also l have never had a head tilt pig that has ever needed medication for pain!
Please only consider pain meds if there are pronounced pain indicators! Otherwise you can end up needlessly compromising your piggys kidneys, for no good reason
 
How to Recognize Pain in Animals | Recognizing Pain in Animals

  • Grinding teeth (different from chattering, a slow steady grind of the molars)
  • Reluctant to move or walk
  • May sort of hop rather than walk normally (seen with abdominal pain)
  • Shivers or quivers, can sometimes see rippling along the body
  • Sits hunched, with hair spiky
  • Whimpers
  • Does not eat (anorexic)
  • Breathing may be heavy or "different" (rapid, labored breathing can also be caused by fluid in lungs.
Guinea Lynx :: Pain


may appear apprehensive, anxious, dull, or inactive, assume a hunched appearance, attempt to hide, and squeal or cry. Sometimes, they show aggressive behavior with increased activity and excessive scratching and licking. Reactions to handling are exaggerated, and acute pain might result in vocalization. With abdominal pain, they may show back arching when moving, contraction of the abdominal muscles, and pressing of the abdomen to the ground. The respiratory rate of the animals may increase while they may eat and drink less. As with other species, a general lack of grooming may be associated with pain.
 
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Rocket said:
Wow, I didn't realize how common E.cuniculi was in guinea pigs. You say you keep metacam on hand - so do you think the condition causes pain?
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I dont think so as the brain itself has no pain receptors, if I remember rightly. But metacam is an anti inflamatory as well as a painkiller, her neurological damage was due to inflamation and lesions on the brain so if it ever becomes active again she will need an anti inflamatory quickly alongside the panacur as I dont think she will be able to live with mich further damage to the brain without negatively affecting her quality of life.

I think thats right anyway..its nearly a year ago since it all happened!
 
The reason I mentioned Metacam is that it has anti-inflammatory benefits too aswell as pain relief and with something like an ear infection there will be inflammation.
 
I am so thankful to have finally found a group of people that have had similar pet experiences. My Tippy is just around a year old and was diagnosed with what I was told was a chronic ear infection. She was doing better for a while after three rounds of antibiotic beads that were surgically placed in her back. I saw a specialist for exotics who said that since she wasn't responding to the antibiotic beads, and previous antibiotics that she probably wouldn't beat the infection.
She was doing better with her balance issues and losing balance when excited, but recently she was shown some increased symptoms. I was given baytril to attack a flare up of the infection only if symptoms reappeared. Has anyone ever had a pet with an untreatable chronic infection? Specifically the ones that cause head tilts.
 
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