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Floppy guinea pig

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oh bless her little sweetheart, hope she continues to get better..xx
 
Hi we have progress albeit tiny.......... I have just washed her bottom as she lays in her wee n the last thing she needs is urine burns, when i was dying her with a very low heat slow hairdryer I stood her up and she actually manged to stay upright for 3/4 minutes....... then when she did flop her back end stayed virtually the right way but her top half turned or her to lay on her favoured left side. I put her back in her box and she got from one end of the box to the other quite quickly albeit half dragging and half almost walking......... I had a close look at her left ear ans she has some nasty thick waxy stuff, i got a cotton bud and gently cleaned some of it away avoiding the ear canal....... I'm wondering if she has a bad case of ear mites and its that that has causd an infection? What does anyone else think? I would like to treat it with something what would you recommend?

I'm going to try to upload some pics of her if I can!
 
They do say that if humans have ear infections it can affect their balance, so I don't see why it can't be the same for guinea pigs, also her appetite has remained good so if it was something serious i am sure she wouldn't be interested in food. Maybe if you keep trying her standing she may regain the strength in her legs. Did your vet treat for mites at all, if not they would be interested to hear about your findings, all be it gross.rolleyes
 
Think Ive sussed it........so heres my poorly but very determined young lady



OH maybe not - no images mallethead
 
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i think you need to upload them onto photobucket first maybe, and then put the direct link in?
 
sharonS said:
They do say that if humans have ear infections it can affect their balance, so I don't see why it can't be the same for guinea pigs, also her appetite has remained good so if it was something serious i am sure she wouldn't be interested in food. Maybe if you keep trying her standing she may regain the strength in her legs. Did your vet treat for mites at all, if not they would be interested to hear about your findings, all be it gross.rolleyes
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I agree ear infections can affect your balance, there was a young dog at the vets toda who had an ear infection she was staggering all over the place it was like she was drunk, he kept falling over.......The vet is amazed how eager she is to eat..........Yes I am starting to encourage her to stand for a few mins every now n then. No vet didnt treat for mites, but I had bathed her yesterday morning in GG shampoo Lice & Easy as she has got a few of them horrible little white crawly mites in her fur, think they come from the hay... I will mention the messy ears on tuesday when she goes back.
 
!st pic is how she has been led for the last few days, 2nd pic she was trying to get up, 3rd pic i put her in that position where she stayed for 3/4 mins, 4th pic she flopped down again. She doesnt look too impressed in one of the picture lol..........
 
awww shes a cutie and a fighter, i think the fact that shes eating and is showing determination is a very good sign, my fingers are crossed for her :)

i just found a very old vid of when my piggy was ill but started getting better, it shows her on her side and then all of a sudden got up and started munching a dandilion leaf, disturbing for me to watch but to see that she came through that is amazing
 
claremw92 said:
She needs a vet now...
When you went away for five days who was caring for the pigs...?
If they haven't been fed or watered it could be dehydration and gut statis...
Or a stroke or any mannor of things...
Your pig needs a vet now... Please take her...
x
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Hi Claire, Brownie, is improving slightly day by day, ive posted some pics of her....shes having lots of tlc and cuddles...........its going to take some time, but we are giving her every possible chance we can.... I can see by your post that it maybe crossed your mind I had left them unattended for 5 days, that certainly isnt the case..........I wouldnt do that to any animal...my pets like my children are my life.........I can understand your concern though and thank you for your support.this forum is great x
 
Oh bless! She's so adorable, hopefully she's on the mend now.
With regards your thoughts on ear mites, according to P.G in Piggy Potions signs of ear mites would be head shaking, scratching, whilst bacterial infection signs can sometimes be similar to mites but usually different, head inclined to one side, area around the ear sometimes tender to touch, slight discharge inside the ear and sometimes an unpleasant odour. Apparently these signs can be indicative of an abcess close to the surface or a more deep seated infection and of course if this is the case then a vet is needed but you've already seen the vet and she's on antibiotics so let's hope they work.
x
 
AndreaJane said:
Oh bless! She's so adorable, hopefully she's on the mend now.
With regards your thoughts on ear mites, according to P.G in Piggy Potions signs of ear mites would be head shaking, scratching, whilst bacterial infection signs can sometimes be similar to mites but usually different, head inclined to one side, area around the ear sometimes tender to touch, slight discharge inside the ear and sometimes an unpleasant odour. Apparently these signs can be indicative of an abcess close to the surface or a more deep seated infection and of course if this is the case then a vet is needed but you've already seen the vet and she's on antibiotics so let's hope they work.
x
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Thanks Andrea, her ear is a bit messy and on the odd occasion she had got her head to one side, but she has been doing that since I had her 18 months ago aged 3 years. I was thinking maybe Ivermectin? To kill off the mites should there be any, as the antibiotic will only treat the infection ot the cause. Shes a fighter I will give her that
 
UPdate on Brownie

Brownie is not well at all this morning, her breathing is slower, shes refusing food, even her favourite apple n carrot, I managed to get her to have her baytril and eventually coaxed her into having some water. I have some CC which I'm going to give her shortly as shes not long had her AB. Sadly its not looking good :0.......... spoken to the vet they said theres not much more they can do beside having pts.......... I dont want her to suffer ......... I just hope if shes not going to make it she passes peacefully at home........ I'm in bits :...
 
awww sorry to hear this, she's been so strong up until now, a proper fighter, you have done so much for her :(

sending lots of hugs and squeeks over your way, fingers crossed still
 
Oh I'm so sorry, I know how awful this can be. (((((hugs)))))
 
HUGS

I am so sorry to hear this gutting news; I know from my own experience how heartbreaking it is to lose the battle for a beloved piggy's health. You are trying all you can and you are giving Brownie all your love.
 
oh no, your girl is so beautiful, i really hope she is comfortable, you obviously love her so much, you have done your best

Sending some comforting vibes for your baby x
 
OK Right - she is realy trying to confuse me now!! Ive just fed her some critical care - only about 5ml, but she happily took that from a syringe..... I'm never too sure on how much she should have at each feed. Does anyone know? It says on the pack 1 sachet per 1kg of guinea pig.. Is that per day? I'm offering it to her every 1-2 hours. She has lost a fair bit of weight and weighs only 650g atm. I put her backin her little box and she sort of wriggled got on to all fours sat there for about 1 minute then fell over on to her other side, up until now she has favoured her left side for laying on but she was quite happily led on her rightside.is this good or bad?? Now she is munching on a tiny bit of apple! ANyone kow whats going on with her??
 
No idea but still remaining hopeful because she's still eating. Sorry that's not much help. x
 
They need 120 ml in 24 hours I think, so 10ml every 2 hours, or 20ml every 4 hours, even through the night if possible :(

I am sorry to hear she's not better. It does look more like a neurological condition from the photos, but you never know, she is a fighter & she wants to eat, so there is still hope, hang on in there, ((hugs)) for you both.
 
Yes I'm thinking maybe it is a neuroligical problem now, as she still shows no sign of balance really.....The CC seems to have kicked off her appetite a little shes had some apple and some carrot, I'm about to offer her some pellets and a little hay. The girls are out looking for a few dandelions for her too. ANything to tempt her really. I have done a video of her can I upload on here?
 
I am sorry that she is still poorly, they have you in pieces as you just don't know what to do to help them, I really hope that the antibiotics start to help her. She looks sad in the pictures poor girl. I am really hoping she pulls through. Sending (((((HUGS))))) to you too.
 
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