• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Greta is acting strange

Status
Not open for further replies.
Miss Magpie

Miss Magpie

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 12, 2008
Messages
552
Reaction score
50
Points
380
Location
Near Bridgend, south wales
Well just now i went to talk to Greta and she wasnt responding like she usually does. So i opened the cage, she got up and then stumbled as if she was drunk and continues to do it.
It happened one day last week aswell but she was fine after about 20 minutes. I'm assuming it was the heat and shes a little dehydrated?
I'm in the process of moving so i havent got a syringe with me to syringe her water so I'm going to give her some cucumber.
Shes been eating fine no problems at all.
:(
 
Hope she is ok Laura, have you checked her ears? Could be a balance problem.
 
Could it not be the start of an ear infection, if she's a little off balance?

Perhaps take her to the vet just to be sure.
 
As it is a repeat, and it is not too hot today, I would have her checked out by a vet. No the best time, obviously...

Perhaps somebody else has a better idea of what could be going on.
 
i just had her on my lap eating cucumber and she started freaking out. i cant get her to a vet 2night, there isnt one around thats open. I'm working 2moro too. i might have to call in sick to get her to a vet. to be honest i havent got much money since Iris cost me £250 a few weeks back.
She keeps trying to get away from me when i go anywhere near her. She wont eat the cucumber
 
Have you tried sending a pm to alcesterpigs? She's very experienced and might be the best help on short notice on the boards.
 
First thought was stroke.
Is she walking in a circle? Does she have nystagmus ie eyeball flicking?
 
Well shes back to normal now. I left the house for about an hour because I really thought it was the end and I didnt want to be there to see it. It really stressed her out if i went anywhere near her and she tried to get away from me everytime I touched her.

What happens is she tries to get up and its like her back end isnt working. She stumbled about the place a little last time, but today it got a little worse. She was lieing on her side and pushing herself around the cage then stopping and lieing there. She had a scared look in her eyes but no eye rolling.

I was thinking a stroke and I really was expecting to come back to her and find that shed passed away. To my utter shock she was absolutely fine and acting completely normal. She did her usual standing up on the edge for me to pick her up and happily cuddled me, she really seemed happy to see me.

I'm utterly confused but I am so happy shes okay. I can only take her to the vet on sunday so there will be no news until then. Oh yes and shes around 5 years old
 
A heart problem will show itself by a general weakness, the poor circulation often causes the extremities to become cold. In the vast majority of cases there is no improvement and death is the soon to be inevitable outcome.
A stroke will cause a temporary (or permament) weakness or (paralysis) down one side of the body, ie there are four possible outcomes.
It is still only an educated guess but from your comments:

"What happens is she tries to get up and its like her back end isnt working. She stumbled about the place a little last time, but today it got a little worse. She was lieing on her side and pushing herself around the cage then stopping and lieing there. She had a scared look in her eyes but no eye rolling."

I would still presume that she has had a small stroke.
Treatment: Very liitle, other than keep her quiet and stress free, if at all possible.
 
alcesterpigs said:
A heart problem will show itself by a general weakness, the poor circulation often causes the extremities to become cold. In the vast majority of cases there is no improvement and death is the soon to be inevitable outcome.
A stroke will cause a temporary (or permament) weakness or (paralysis) down one side of the body, ie there are four possible outcomes.
It is still only an educated guess but from your comments:

"What happens is she tries to get up and its like her back end isnt working. She stumbled about the place a little last time, but today it got a little worse. She was lieing on her side and pushing herself around the cage then stopping and lieing there. She had a scared look in her eyes but no eye rolling."

I would still presume that she has had a small stroke.
Treatment: Very liitle, other than keep her quiet and stress free, if at all possible.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your help yet again :) Shes completely back to normal at the moment and I assume the strokes are due to her old age. Would you suggest that I still take her to the vet? Can they do anything for her? The only vet I could take her to is the one Iris first went to before I took her to the vet that actually diagnosed her. They werent very good and I'm just afraid they'd either make things worse or just give me baytril to see how she goes.

Thanks again x :)p
 
I willl take a chance yet again!
I would not take her to the vet.
What I would do is give Vedra a call. That way you can get an informed second opinion.
 
All the best for Greta!

Thank you for taking over, AP. As I have never experienced a stroke myself, I'm every reluctant to throw something like that in the ring without backup.

Sending my vibes to you
Wiebke xxxxxxxxxx
 
alcesterpigs said:
I willl take a chance yet again!
I would not take her to the vet.
What I would do is give Vedra a call. That way you can get an informed second opinion.
Click to expand...

I do hope that little Greta is well again soon. I think it would be best and it would put your mind at rest if you get her checked over by a Vet if you are not able to get her to see Vedra as AP suggests.
 
I should have said that I suggested calling Vedra because she sees many pigs with this condition and has the necessary experience as to what is the best approach to take with them.
Often, she will use treatment which is not found in any text-book or which, theoretically, should not work but does in practice.
 
The problem being Laura is not local to Vedra so she cannot see her pig. Surely that is the main aim, to find a good vet who can see the animal as often there is a mis diagnosis from just describing what is happening.

In this instance Video Skype would be useful.

How is Greta today Laura?
 
SaT
Makes you wonder how they used to, maybe still do, manage in the Australian outback with just a radio and a numbered drug kit!
For humans, that is.
Wonder if there is the same service for animals?
Anyway, SaT, are you on Skype yet? I am sure that your still photo does not do you justice (one way or the other!)
Starting the countdown again.
 
It sure does Al, yes we have Skype I've used it to speak to my friend who is in Poole. :)
 
alcesterpigs said:
SaT
Makes you wonder how they used to, maybe still do, manage in the Australian outback with just a radio and a numbered drug kit!
For humans, that is.
Wonder if there is the same service for animals?
Anyway, SaT, are you on Skype yet? I am sure that your still photo does not do you justice (one way or the other!)
Starting the countdown again.
Click to expand...

Sorry for hi jacking this thread but i think you should let us see what you look like as i have noticed alot of people presume your a woman :(|)
 
lindsay7 said:
Sorry for hi jacking this thread but i think you should let us see what you look like as i have noticed alot of people presume your a woman :(|)
Click to expand...

Not only that we have not seen you on facebook either and I will politely ask you to not use this board for dating!
 
alcesterpigs said:
SaT
Makes you wonder how they used to, maybe still do, manage in the Australian outback with just a radio and a numbered drug kit!
For humans, that is.
Wonder if there is the same service for animals?
Anyway, SaT, are you on Skype yet? I am sure that your still photo does not do you justice (one way or the other!)
Starting the countdown again.
Click to expand...

As if you'll find out! mallethead
 
Don't want to get on the wrong side of Peter where his wife's concerned! :))
 
Was that a jumbo jet flying by my window? ah no it's just a :alJFBQ00152070115A:

DAMN FORGOT TO LOG OUT OF LOU'S ACCOUNT LOL
 
L7
Did you mean to post a glamour photo of yourself on a guinea pig forum?
Just how often are we meant to grovel to a moderator, it goes against the grain somewhat?
 
I have been on the internet for 10 years and have never posted a photo of anyone nor anything, too difficult for me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top