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guinea head tilt?

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I know I have seen other threads about this and other advice on guinealynx etc. But I am so worried about my little pig Peanut. I noticed this morning that his head was tilted to one side while he was eating. I know this can be a sign of ear infection. I am taking him to the vet today because I am so worried... so hopefully the vet can help.

But I want to know if anyone else has seen this/was it a problem: pig seems fine, walks normally, eats and drinks normally, even popcorns... but his head is tilted while he eats. I even let him walk around the living room today and he seemed fine.

I have heard such horror stories about ear infections, I'm hoping my little guy is fine and I'm just overreacting :(
 
It is usually a sign of an ear infection so with antibiotics, hopefully, he'll be fine :)
Always an idea to get some probiotics too as antibiotics can upset their little systems and create more problems as I discovered :(
Let us know how you get on and ask your vet as many questions as you can think of.
We're all here to help if needed and can support you with any worries :)p
 
Good that you are taking him to the asap - ear infections can kill. Your chances are the better the sooner he is seen. This is one thing where you cannot overreact. I would do the same if I noticed even the slightest head tilt! I'd rather be safe than sorry. Hopefully, it is nothing.

Best of luck!
 
I'm so glad you're getting to a vet!

Not to scare you but I feel it needed to be said as I underestimated the severity of ear infections, despite reading as much as I could.

My baby girl Gladys had head tilt and was very lethargic, we took her to the emergency vets where she had baytril and started to perk up. Six/seven days later despite being herself, charging around, eating etc, the head tilt came back. Off back to the vets we went, who then referred her to a specialist. Long story short, she had to have an operation to get to the root cause but wasn't strong enough and passed away.

She seemed fine in herself the second time it came round, but according to the vets both ears were so full of puss and heavily infected that she didn't stand a chance. We did everything we could and as soon as possible. Sadly we only had my little girl for two weeks, she was only a baby when she passed away. I can't stress the importance of making sure you do everything you can (which I'm sure you will!) as these infections can be fatal.

I hope I've not scared you, but like I said, when I was researching about infections I knew she was ill but I didn't realise just how ill they can get with them.

Millions of vibes for your littlun and please let us know how he gets on x
 
No experience of this, just wanted to wish you luck with your little one, hope all goes well .... "sending good luck vibes* :)
 
post-vet visit...

Peanut looks alright now, considering he is slightly traumatized from his vet visit this morning. At times it looks like his head is tilted, other times it looks fine. I also noticed he shook his head once or twice, that might be from ear discomfort. He is eating hay and snacking normally. Less active than usual but that could be from getting dragged around to the vet, car rides are never fun for pigs!

The vet said one ear looked especially "goopy" and took a swab. She gave us some Baytril and said to call if it doesn't improve or gets worse in the next 2 days. She also said to give him some yogurt or yogurt treats for probiotics. Peanut is still very active and I will see how he does tonight during play time.

In the meantime, should I separate him from his cage mate? I don't want Guinness to get sick! The vet didn't say anything about this.
 
I've read somewhere in this forum not that long ago that tilted head may mean there is a neurological problem in piggy and not to worry too much it will just look at you from different anglexoxo
Obviously I would check it in vets. Hopefully it is only that what I 've written upper
 
Glad he's been seen - Baytril is often recommended to give with Ribena as it is very bitter tasting :(
I would opt for some Fibreplex as a probiotic as well, available from all vets or on the net, give 1ml a couple of hours after the antibiotics. It's a thickish paste so most piggies will take from your finger as the syringe tip is quite large.
Hope Peanut feels better very soon - I personally would leave him with Guinness as the stress of being alone may upset him more and it's a bacterial infection rather than a viral so less contagious.
Healing vibes and hugs to little man x>>
 
Head tilts do settle we have experience of this.Its caused by ear infections and rabbits can be prone to a particular parasitic infection which causes balance problems and possible neurological damage,its rarer for Guinea Pigs but not unknown.Most commonly its an ear infection treated with love and antibiotics.
I have had several tilting piggies come through the rescue and Tilting Tilly has stayed bless her.It has now settled a little and she is normal apart from her little tilt.You tend to find the main problem is tilting piggies dont like too much handling as it affects their balance and stresses them,so in the acute phase limit handling and once things are better a firm yet gentle pick up is needed as the head tends to roll. xx>>>
 
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