Ear infection?

[TiddlesMidnight&Squeaky]

Hello
Everytime I stroke bubbles on his back, he kind of lays out on his side and kicks his feet in the air. I always thought it was because he either liked it/disliked me stroking him there so I didnt think much of it, but I've just seen a video on youtube of another piggie doing it in their cage and apparently its a sign of an ear infection :... He has been doing it whenever I touch his back ever since I got him (about a year ago) if that helps. I am quite skeptical about the information you find on sites such as youtube and I didnt want to take him to the vet with a suspected ear infection and find out its just because he doesnt like me touching his back I did find it strange that he only does it when I touch his back, surely if it was an ear infection he'd be doing it all the time? He hasnt got a head tilt or anything else.
So I was wondering..
1) If it was true.
2) If it could be passed to other guinea pigs.
and 3) Whether ear infections are serious or not (i.e. life endangering)
Thanks for reading!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Have you got the link to the video so we can see what you mean?

 

[TiddlesMidnight&Squeaky]

Have you got the link to the video so we can see what you mean?

Unfortunately not at the moment (I'm on my phone) but as soon as I go back on my laptop I'll post the link

 

[Hermes]

To me, the fact he's been doing this for a year and you've not suggested that there are any other signs of illness makes me think it doesn't mean he has an ear infection. It could be coincidental that the movement of your pig looks similar to a pig who's off balance due to an ear infection. My little (and bossy) boar will rumble and sort of hunch and kick out sideways with his hind legs if you stroke him when he's eating his veg. I took it as him trying to claim the food with a sort of over-exaggerated rumblestrut, sometimes it turns into half-hearted popcorning though.

The other thing I did wonder is if it is connected to a health issue whether it's a residual, yet harmless, effect of a previous illness (ear infection, something neurological) - unless you've had him since he was a baby?

Ear infections are serious and if you see a head tilt you should be going straight to the vets, I don't think they can be passed between pigs though (although ear mites can). I think if you're ever in doubt a general health check at a cavy savvy vet is always worthwhile.