Ear Infecion Recovery/wobbly Guinea Pig

[Mali's Mum]

Hi all,

Honor has been treated with Zithromax for an ear infection for about two months now and she is doing well.

She always had the head tilt but around a month ago she got really wobbly on hear feet and cant get her balance while walking or sitting unsupported. She falls over a lot and used her back feet as a balance, so she resembles a frog sometimes.

We have another 2 months of Zithromax to go and our vet Glen doesn't want to see her again as he is so pleased with her progress. He even tested her back legs and she has full movement of them but doesn't cant get a balance.

Glen isn't sure how she will be permanently but he goes by the thought, a happy Guinea Pig is a Guinea Pig who eats, as she eats brilliantly.

But I am just wondering if any of you have any experience of this? if the unsteadiness is permanent or will improve?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

What you describe reminds me of a rabbit with e cuniculli. I am wondering if a course of Panacur might help. Does the unsteadiness seem to be improving at all or worsening?

 

[Mali's Mum]

What you describe reminds me of a rabbit with e cuniculli. I am wondering if a course of Panacur might help. Does the unsteadiness seem to be improving at all or worsening?

Its definitely not improving. I thought it would the longer she was taking Zithromax. She was doing well and the unsteadiness seemed to happen overnight. Any idea what's causing it?

 

[Wiggie]

I feel sorry for your piggy. You piggy might feel drunk? Maybe another type of medication that 'works' would be better. I would not just keep using one thing if it does not change anything. Can they sample ear muck or is it deeper? If they can't sample it maybe other spectrum of antibiotics are called for. x

 

[Mali's Mum]

I feel sorry for your piggy. You piggy might feel drunk? Maybe another type of medication that 'works' would be better. I would not just keep using one thing if it does not change anything. Can they sample ear muck or is it deeper? If they can't sample it maybe other spectrum of antibiotics are called for. x

Thanks for getting back to me.

She seems happy in herself and has a great appetite. Her infection is in the inner ear and has been cultured, Zithromax is the only antibiotic that will kill the bacteria. Her head-tilt is much better than it was. She's just wobbly now.

 

[helen105281]

I agree with Debbie's Panacur recommendation.

 

[Kerrie74]

Ahh poor girl, I have a "wobbly" boar, not quite that bad, but we adopted him with an evident head tilt which the rescue either didn't notice or ignored, he was taken to three vets, one said it's "an him thing" another gave him antibiotics which did seem to take the tilt off although he does still do it from time to time and the last vet he saw who was a guinea specialist said that he may have neurological problems and was probably born that way. He's happy enough, eats, drinks, he even plays with my son (he's an himi and apparently they are pretty clever and playful, not sure if that is true or not). The only thing with him is.. and I'm not sure if this is related to what the last vet said.. he doesn't like other boars, so he's solo, but next to other guinea's.

I hope you find something to help your guinea pig, she's lovely by the way

 

[Mali's Mum]

Ahh poor girl, I have a "wobbly" boar, not quite that bad, but we adopted him with an evident head tilt which the rescue either didn't notice or ignored, he was taken to three vets, one said it's "an him thing" another gave him antibiotics which did seem to take the tilt off although he does still do it from time to time and the last vet he saw who was a guinea specialist said that he may have neurological problems and was probably born that way. He's happy enough, eats, drinks, he even plays with my son (he's an himi and apparently they are pretty clever and playful, not sure if that is true or not). The only thing with him is.. and I'm not sure if this is related to what the last vet said.. he doesn't like other boars, so he's solo, but next to other guinea's.

I hope you find something to help your guinea pig, she's lovely by the way

Aww thank you, she is a very sweet piggy. Glad to hear your wobbly boar is doing well. Its amazing how they compensate and adapt. Honor is also solo at the moment. - my other two whizz about and knock her over. I'm hoping that she becomes more steady and can be put back with her friends.