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Crusty Ear - What Is Safe?

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Forever Evan

Forever Evan

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi!

I think Carmy may have either mites or a fungal infection around his ear - it's been crusty, and today a whole section is coming off. Doesn't look nasty or anything, just odd. I have a vets appt. for him on Tuesday (soonest I can get him to the only cavy savvy vet I trust) and was wondering - is there anything over the counter I can try that is safe for him until them? I think I read somewhere that coconut oil is good, but don't want to try anything before asking the experts.

Thanks in advance!

Heather and Carmy :love:
 
If you already have a vets appointment lined up then it is very important that you do not try to treat the problem before then.
Over the counter products are unlikely to work properly, but may mask some of the symptoms and make it harder for the vet to diagnose properly.
 
Coconut oil is a really good moisturiser for guinea pigs skin, ears and feet. However if it is cause by fungal coconut oil won't help. Wait and see what the vet says.
 
Please do not treat on spec before seeing a vet with skin issues. He will hate you for making his job much more difficult/impossible by wiping the crime scene and spoiling a good diagnosis! It is much better to wait and then treat with a good and appropriate product and get rid of things once and for all!
 
Hi!

I took Carmy to the vet and she had some interesting things to say. First, she "thinks" he has an inner ear infection based on the fact that he sometimes leans his head to one side, which I do not agree with. He's leaned to the side for a long time only when picked up - he is partially blind and he's always leaned when picked up. He has no trouble eating, drinking or pooing, nor does he seem to be in pain. She prescribed Carmy Enrolfloxacin for the possible infection, but he is already a bit on the small side and eats wonderfully, so I don't want to give him something that may cause stasis or diarrhea.

She then prescribed him Mometamax, which is an anti-fungal/antibiotic/steroid for dogs, to treat his crusty ear situation, which I don't want to give him either because I've read that giving piggies steroids is not advisable! Ugh! What do I do? His ear has actually improved since I posted initially, but it still has some crustiness.

This vet is definitely pig savvy as it is where Piggie Poo, our only local AZ pig rescue, takes the piggies when they are surrendered and I trust them completely, but I just don't agree with any of the vet's diagnosis or treatments. I drove 70 miles round trip to be even more confused than I was before. :soz:

Anyone have any advice? The last thing I want to do is ignore something that needs to be treated, but I also don't want to treat him with something for something he may or may not have with a med that may be detrimental to his health. There are very few vets who will even SEE a guinea pig around here, and even those who will see them don't really know what they're doing. I just don't know what to do.

I did give Carmy and Abraham a nice big romaine and red pepper salad when we returned home from our long drive... :luv:

Thanks...
Heather
 
Forever Evan said:
Hi!

I took Carmy to the vet and she had some interesting things to say. First, she "thinks" he has an inner ear infection based on the fact that he sometimes leans his head to one side, which I do not agree with. He's leaned to the side for a long time only when picked up - he is partially blind and he's always leaned when picked up. He has no trouble eating, drinking or pooing, nor does he seem to be in pain. She prescribed Carmy Enrolfloxacin for the possible infection, but he is already a bit on the small side and eats wonderfully, so I don't want to give him something that may cause stasis or diarrhea.

She then prescribed him Mometamax, which is an anti-fungal/antibiotic/steroid for dogs, to treat his crusty ear situation, which I don't want to give him either because I've read that giving piggies steroids is not advisable! Ugh! What do I do? His ear has actually improved since I posted initially, but it still has some crustiness.

This vet is definitely pig savvy as it is where Piggie Poo, our only local AZ pig rescue, takes the piggies when they are surrendered and I trust them completely, but I just don't agree with any of the vet's diagnosis or treatments. I drove 70 miles round trip to be even more confused than I was before. :soz:

Anyone have any advice? The last thing I want to do is ignore something that needs to be treated, but I also don't want to treat him with something for something he may or may not have with a med that may be detrimental to his health. There are very few vets who will even SEE a guinea pig around here, and even those who will see them don't really know what they're doing. I just don't know what to do.

I did give Carmy and Abraham a nice big romaine and red pepper salad when we returned home from our long drive... :luv:

Thanks...
Heather
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Hi! Steroids can be used safely topically on guinea pigs (the discussion between vets on this point is still going on, but not systemically by injection, so the ear med is fine to use.

Enroflaxin is baytril. In most cases it is perfectly fine to give and piggies don't have any problems with it. It is still a decent allround antibiotic.
A head tilt is often the result of either an old or undertreated ear infection. It is worth making sure that there is nothing lurking that could blow up at some point.

In order to bolster the guts, give probiotics about an hour before you give an antibiotic (according to the current US recommendations). Please be aware that negative reactions can happen to any antibiotic. If it happens yours, then please stop the baytril and contact the vet again.
 
I remember my doctor telling me a dose of probiotics AFTER you've finished anyibiotics is a great way to boost your immune system, as it it helps fireplace any good bacteria in the gut that may have been affected by the antibiotic. I'm sure the same goes for animals too :)
 
Celine298 said:
I remember my doctor telling me a dose of probiotics AFTER you've finished anyibiotics is a great way to boost your immune system, as it it helps fireplace any good bacteria in the gut that may have been affected by the antibiotic. I'm sure the same goes for animals too :)
Click to expand...

Recently, leading US places have switched to given probiotics before and not after the antibiotic. In order to not confuse a poster, I try to follow local advice when it doesn't make a huge difference like in this case.
 
Ah well I'm in ireland so I can see why we're going by different info! No worries :)
 
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