Ear infections (reoccuring)

[Llewellyn]

Guinea pig with reoccurring ear infect
Frank is around 10 months and has had an ear infection that keeps returning. We took him to a specialist piggy vet last night who told us that when a pig gets into this cycle of ear infection it just doesn't get better. He has given us a different type of antibiotic for a month with the possibility of it being a permanent dose for the rest of his life but asked us to think about his quality of life if it recurs again. He seems happy and is a normal pig when he's treated but this only lasts for 2/3 weeks before the infection comes back. We love Frank and really don't want to consider euthanasia unless we really have too. What do you think? Do you think the recuring nature takes away his quality of life when he's well for a couple of weeks at a time? We're also concerned that permanent antibiotics will leave us nowhere to turn if he does get another infection. We have tried all manner of drops, antibiotics, antifungals. The nerve to his eye is also affected by the ear infections and he has lost the ability to blink so need eye drops.

 

[Betsy]

What antibiotics has your vet prescribed and what dosage?

 

[Abi_nurse]

Please consider getting a culture swab of the ear to see what bugs are growing in there and then you/your vet can tailor the antibiotics accordingly. He may need to be on them for several months for it to clear up or potentially you might be able to have surgery to remove the ear canal effected.

 

[Llewellyn]

Please consider getting a culture swab of the ear to see what bugs are growing in there and then you/your vet can tailor the antibiotics accordingly. He may need to be on them for several months for it to clear up or potentially you might be able to have surgery to remove the ear canal effected.

Thanks for replying, they can't do a swab because the infection is in the cochlear and surgery isn't an option, we saw the leading specialist guinea pig vet and he said no guinea pig has ever survived long term after the type of surgery you suggested or even surgery to take swabs that deep in the scull.

 

[Llewellyn]

What antibiotics has your vet prescribed and what dosage?

He's had 3 different types (apparently all the types guinea pigs can tolerate..?) I can't remember the names sorry! He has had the maximum dose for his weight.. thanks for replying

 

[fanniephina]

I am so sorry to hear about this and your baby. I can't help with advice but wanted to send my thoughts. It's so difficult to go through with your little one. Does your vet have an advisable course of action or thought as to what would be best next should everything fail to work and the condition continues with the same cycle?

 

[Llewellyn]

I am so sorry to hear about this and your baby. I can't help with advice but wanted to send my thoughts. It's so difficult to go through with your little one. Does your vet have an advisable course of action or thought as to what would be best next should everything fail to work and the condition continues with the same cycle?

Thank you, it's really nice to have support from people who really understand that they're not "just" pets but parts of our families. The vet thinks euthanasia would be the kindest thing to do to end the suffering we're just praying the new antibiotic works and he can have some really good quality pig times for as long as it lasts for. He's had such a bad deal in life and we just want him to have some good times to make up for all the pain he's been through!

 

[Livia Rabideau]

Does he have any other symptoms? I had a cat that got ear infections from allergies. Just a thought. Hoping he gets better!

 

[Flutterby]

Does it say on the bottle what the antibiotics are?

 

[Llewellyn]

Hi all, just a positive update! Frank saw another specialist vet who gave a long and strong dose of different anti biotics which seems to be working great! He's having a great time and we're thankful for every moment he gets doing normal pig stuff