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Balance Problems With Old Piggy?

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xxaimeexx

xxaimeexx

Teenage Guinea Pig
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I was putting Holly into her hutch this evening and she walked off my lap(at same level as hutch) as usual but today she fell onto her right side and struggled to get back up. I have brought her inside to observe her movement and she seems ok but ever so slightly wobbly. (towards right side) It is very very slight almost not noticable. She had an ear infection about 3 months ago which was treated successfully could it be from that? Everything else is in fine working order other than slightly smallish poops which ive taken to be normal as they are consistent over the last month or so.
 
It appears slightly more definite now. i will go to the vets asap and also close off the ramp tonight as i dont want her having a fall.
 
Elwickcavies said:
Definitely requires a vet visit. It could be left over from the ear infection or it may be a small stroke. Let us know how you get one.
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Thank you. My thoughts exactly- I'm thinking more stroke as it was very quick onset. They are handled twice daily and this morning she was fine. I was out all day at school and I came home and she was like that
 
Unfortunately, like humans, more elderly piggies are more prone to a stroke. If it is only minor, she may make a full recovery, but the vet will know...xx
 
Elwickcavies said:
Unfortunately, like humans, more elderly piggies are more prone to a stroke. If it is only minor, she may make a full recovery, but the vet will know...xx
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Thank you. Vets on Wednesday. She can do all her usual piggy things just fine and I have switched to using only one level of their hutch probably a good idea having any elderly pig. Soon they will be getting a shed too so it will be extra nice for her. xx
 
If it is a stroke the first 48 hours are crucial. Is there any way she could see a vet in the morning?

It is possible too that her ear infection has returned?
 
Sorry to hear she's unwell. It's most likely an ear infection returning. Often they need very long courses of antibiotics for these, how long was the course before? It may also be worthwhile considering treating her with a 28 day course of panacur to treat potential e.cuniculi which is prevalent in rabbits but has also been seen in Guinea pigs and can show signs like this.

Hope she feels better soon!

x
 
helen105281 said:
If it is a stroke the first 48 hours are crucial. Is there any way she could see a vet in the morning?

It is possible too that her ear infection has returned?
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It isn't possible to see a vet before wednesday as my whole family have work/school :(
 
Abi_nurse said:
Sorry to hear she's unwell. It's most likely an ear infection returning. Often they need very long courses of antibiotics for these, how long was the course before? It may also be worthwhile considering treating her with a 28 day course of panacur to treat potential e.cuniculi which is prevalent in rabbits but has also been seen in Guinea pigs and can show signs like this.

Hope she feels better soon!

x[/QUOTE/]


I think the course was 20 days of twice daily canaural drops. I will check. I will take your advice to the vet thank you x
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It might have been ten days i cant find any indication I think she told me but ive forgotten
 
Just back from the vets. Prior to going Holly's balance had improved quite a bit to where her wobbles were not very noticeable at all. It's annoying because she seems fine now and my parents think I was on about rubbish. The vet gave her a full check which was good even though I still didn't get any answers :( I think it could have been a minor stroke but I never saw a specific incidence that could have been "the stroke"as such. Come to think of it she didn't actually have a proper look in her ears. i'm so confused now but at least Holly doesn't seem so unbalanced...
 
Could it have been a stroke if the symptoms cleared up so quickly?
And what about the ear infection, I don't know how the infection could come back after months of her being fine? And without any discharge?
 
If she is quite old she could be developing arthritis. When my piggie was getting older her balance became worse and she did fall over sometimes. I really hope that Holly is okay though. x x x
 
She seems fine. I was thinking about arthritis when the vets said she may have been sore causing her to fall. She seems well tonight thank goodness.
 
I'm glad she's okay. If she looks like she is hobbling or moving differently than usual in general then I should think it's arthritis, but she may have just lost balance a bit like humans do sometimes. I would keep a close eye on her though.
 
I will do :) It's only me who can see a difference in her! I know all her wee quirks and they way she is very well!
 
It could have been a TIA which I think is like a small stroke. My Phoebe used to have them and the next day it looked like nothing was wrong.
 
helen105281 said:
It could have been a TIA which I think is like a small stroke. My Phoebe used to have them and the next day it looked like nothing was wrong.
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Thats what my mum said I think either that or maybe arthritis fits her symptoms. But arthritis wouldnt make her have a slight head tilt so I guess it was probably a TIA.
 
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