Ear we go again

[*Nibbles&Nugget*]

It is Bingo, again. He is quite a sickly pig, a difficult fungal problem when we first got him then an ear infection which left him with a head tilt.

Now he has another nasty ear infection which has his ear blocked up with wax and pus. Obviously we called and went straight to the specialist. She was very surprised to discover he no longer has an ear drum! Another vet checked for a second opinion and they used his other ear for a comparison but it would appear it isn't there. The vet believes this will make him more prone to ear issues. She has taken a swab and I am waiting for the results. In the meantime he is on septrin and metacam twice a day, which he is actually taking surprisingly well, and are hopefully fighting the infection.

My questions are:

- What can I do to prevent ear problems in the future?
- Are there any ways to keep his ear clean?
- Is it really possible that he has no ear drum?
- Could the infection have destroyed it?
- Could he be deaf due to having no ear drum?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Amy
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[Abi_nurse]

- What can I do to prevent ear problems in the future?
Some pets may just be prone to ear infections unfortunatly, only regular cleaning can help a little (when your pig is better)

- Are there any ways to keep his ear clean?
Yes, there are ear cleaners you an use (usually cat/dog ones are perfectly safe for pigs), but dont do this at the moment with no ear drum, it will be dangerous

- Is it really possible that he has no ear drum?
Yes it is, severe infections can cause the ear drum to be destroyed

- Could the infection have destroyed it?
Yes, certainly could

- Could he be deaf due to having no ear drum?
His hearing will be imparied in that ear, once the ear drum has repaired itself he should get the majority of his hearing back.

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[Glynis]

awwwwww poor little man! :...

HEALING WHEEEEEEEEEEEEKS AND GENTLE LOVES FROM US ALL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

[*Nibbles&Nugget*]

Thanks for all your help Abi. I meant to ask the vet all those question but my mind just went blank when they asked if I had any and I was concentrating on holding Bingo!

Thanks Glynis, hopefully he is on the mend. He has been popcorning, but he looks so surprised when he lands a popcorn instead of falling over!

Amy
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[AudioHeart]

Awwwwww I'm so sorry to hear about little Bingos recurring ear problems poor little man hope hes feeling better soon and his ear problems become managable

 

[AndreaJane]

Rocket would like to add healing wishes. Bingo has his empathy as they're both suffering together at the mo. x

 

[sport_billy]

Sending your gorgeous boy lots of healing vibes x

 

[Sharon.Mackay]

Awwww what a gorgeous boy, and so good taking his medicine :a19:
Get well soon Bingo, bash that infection pow-pow

 

[AndreaJane]

How's Bingo's ear? Any improvement yet?
x

 

[Lilly]

Isn't he sweet taking his syringe so well! You don't have to tell him "Bingo behave" - I've been following your blog.

Can't help with any of your questions but I do hope he beats his latest ear infection.

 

[*Nibbles&Nugget*]

Bingo is doing a bit better now, thank you for asking. The results of the swab showed that the bacteria in his ear is very nasty and even the vet was surprised by how bad. It turns out it is resistant to everything; ear drops, medicines, etc. appart from Septrin which he is already on. Sadly we are in this for the long haul and he now has four weeks of treatment and gentle ear cleaning.

I'm hopeful that this will mean a full recovery and by the end he will be completely cured. I just can't believe how much a tiny little piggy like him has cost!

Amy
x

 

[AndreaJane]

Bingo is doing a bit better now, thank you for asking. The results of the swab showed that the bacteria in his ear is very nasty and even the vet was surprised by how bad. It turns out it is resistant to everything; ear drops, medicines, etc. appart from Septrin which he is already on. Sadly we are in this for the long haul and he now has four weeks of treatment and gentle ear cleaning.

I'm hopeful that this will mean a full recovery and by the end he will be completely cured. I just can't believe how much a tiny little piggy like him has cost!

Amy
x

They can be very expensive can't they? We haven't had a vet free month this year so far. mallethead After spending so much on the oldtimers ( it's not really surprising that they go to the vets more as they get on in life I suppose) I didn't expect to be spending loads more on the young ones!

Rocket has had this infection for ages and he was recovering from neutering before that. If his second lot of Septrin doesn't work we'll be getting a swab too but I doubt that will tell us anything we don't already know ( that as with Bingo it's a really nasty infection). I do hope they both shake these infections soon.
Healing vibes for Bingo. :laluot_29::laluot_29::laluot_29:

 

[*Nibbles&Nugget*]

They can be very expensive can't they? We haven't had a vet free month this year so far. mallethead After spending so much on the oldtimers ( it's not really surprising that they go to the vets more as they get on in life I suppose) I didn't expect to be spending loads more on the young ones!

Rocket has had this infection for ages and he was recovering from neutering before that. If his second lot of Septrin doesn't work we'll be getting a swab too but I doubt that will tell us anything we don't already know ( that as with Bingo it's a really nasty infection). I do hope they both shake these infections soon.
Healing vibes for Bingo. :laluot_29::laluot_29::laluot_29:

I would say a swab is really worthwhile. In the long run it is cheaper as you don't waste time trying things which might not work. Bingo's swab was a quite reasonable £42. I really hope Rocket feels better soon. Shame on these troublesome young'uns!

Amy
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