Gus is holding head to the right

[Swissgreys]

As a rabbit owner who lost a rabbit to e. cuniculi I would say he needs to see a vet asap and be treated for both an ear infection (with strong antibiotics and good probiotic support) and e.cuniculi (panacur is normal treatment but check with your vet).
The treatments won't interfere with each otehr, but will cover all of your bases.

 

[Siikibam]

Could you ring your vet and get details of emergency out-of-hours cover? I agree he needs seeing sooner rather than later. Or call your vet soon as they’re open in the morning to try and get an emergency appointment.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I really do agree, he needs to be treated for an ear infection and EC. Metacam isn’t going to do anything by itself only relieve his pain - what dosage have you been told to give of the metacam and is it cat or dog metacam?
He needs antibiotics for the ear (baytril is often the first antibiotic vets will give, but it’s not the strongest), and the EC treatment

 

[Wiebke]

He's very sleepy. Will eat but only if you put it by him - won't come out of house. Ringing vets in morning and I'll stay up with him all night tonight to be with him.. movies for both of us

Please see a vet ASAP!

Both ear infections and e.cuniculi can kill of left untreated. It is up to your vet to diagnose and treat; they may want to treat for either to be on the safe side.
You may need to see a specialist if you don't have access to a piggy savvy vet. We can only guess and help you ask any questions you want to ask a vet but we can in no way replace a vet. Any head tilt needs to be adressed as quickly as possible; the longer you wait the more difficult it is to revert and the higher the risk that it could be permanent.
The longer you wait and DIY treat at home, the greater the chance of losing your piggy or having a fight for life and death on your hands.
Here is our vet locator: Vet Locator

If your piggy is not eating and drinking much, you also need to step in with feeding and watering support.
Bridging and crisis care support advice to keep your guinea pig going until treatment is kicking in fully: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please be aware that the heat wave in the coming week is an additional killer; your piggy needs to be in the coolest possible place and be kept as cool as possible.
Heat stroke and hot weather management: Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

Please take the time to read the detailed advice and tips in the various links. They can make the difference between life and death as no medication can work if a piggy is not getting the necessary home care support in terms of daily weight monitoring, support feeding care and being kept in the best possible surroundings during extreme weather.

Fingers firmly crossed - I hope that you have been able to get an appointment for today or have had your piggy already been seen.

 

[Buggster10]

I really do agree, he needs to be treated for an ear infection and EC. Metacam isn’t going to do anything by itself only relieve his pain - what dosage have you been told to give of the metacam and is it cat or dog metacam?
He needs antibiotics for the ear (baytril is often the first antibiotic vets will give, but it’s not the strongest), and the EC treatment

I've been at vets all morning with him. He's now on baytril plus ear drops plus panacur. Ear has discharge waxy stuff coming from it. Dark coloured.... Hopefully the stuff he's now on will help.

 

[Buggster10]

Please see a vet ASAP!

Both ear infections and e.cuniculi can kill of left untreated. It is up to your vet to diagnose and treat; they may want to treat for either to be on the safe side.
You may need to see a specialist if you don't have access to a piggy savvy vet. We can only guess and help you ask any questions you want to ask a vet but we can in no way replace a vet. Any head tilt needs to be adressed as quickly as possible; the longer you wait the more difficult it is to revert and the higher the risk that it could be permanent.
The longer you wait and DIY treat at home, the greater the chance of losing your piggy or having a fight for life and death on your hands.
Here is our vet locator: Vet Locator

If your piggy is not eating and drinking much, you also need to step in with feeding and watering support.
Bridging and crisis care support advice to keep your guinea pig going until treatment is kicking in fully: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please be aware that the heat wave in the coming week is an additional killer; your piggy needs to be in the coolest possible place and be kept as cool as possible.
Heat stroke and hot weather management: Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

Please take the time to read the detailed advice and tips in the various links. They can make the difference between life and death as no medication can work if a piggy is not getting the necessary home care support in terms of daily weight monitoring, support feeding care and being kept in the best possible surroundings during extreme weather.

Fingers firmly crossed - I hope that you have been able to get an appointment for today or have had your piggy already been seen.

He's on baytril, ear drops, panacur now kept on coolest bedroom in house

 

[Buggster10]

He's had fluids and critical care at vets and although still weighs1325 g they want to continue that for few days so doesn't lose more

 

[Buggster10]

Any other suggestions greatly received. He's currently eating fresh stuff vets gave him

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hopefully all this will help, its difficult even for a vet to tell exactly what is going on with the symptoms you describe, ear infection vs E.cunniculi, but if you have treatment for both plus some metacam and syringe feed for him and you are kerping him cool and hydrated, you and the vet are both doing all you can for him x

 

[Buggster10]

Hopefully all this will help, its difficult even for a vet to tell exactly what is going on with the symptoms you describe, ear infection vs E.cunniculi, but if you have treatment for both plus some metacam and syringe feed for him and you are kerping him cool and hydrated, you and the vet are both doing all you can for him x

Hope it's enough. I stayed up all night with him. I'm going to sleep for a bit now and my partner will look after him then I'll stay up in night with again to syringe feed as vet suggested

 

[Buggster10]

Hopefully all this will help, its difficult even for a vet to tell exactly what is going on with the symptoms you describe, ear infection vs E.cunniculi, but if you have treatment for both plus some metacam and syringe feed for him and you are kerping him cool and hydrated, you and the vet are both doing all you can for him x

Thanks xx

 

[Siikibam]

Syringe feed as often as needed to help him maintain weight. Have a good rest.

 

[Piggies&buns]

That all sounds good. Best wishes

 

[Wiebke]

He's had fluids and critical care at vets and although still weighs1325 g they want to continue that for few days so doesn't lose more

Glad that you have been seen promptly and have got the necessary medication for either potential issue! The sooner you can step in, the better any recovery chances. It is one of these issues, like eye injuries, where time really matters.

I hope that Gus is going to pick up again in the coming days as the medication is kicking in fully and is building up.

The weight is still a very good weight so I would not worry too much. The daily weigh-in at the same time in the feeding cycle is there to tell you whether your boy is eating enough hay or whether you need to step in with top up feeding. Keep in mind that hay is making around 80% and that you cannot control it by eye.
Since he hasn't lost his appetite completely, all you may have to do is to offer some recovery formula, mushed pellets or any mix thereof that goes down best; as much has wants to eat in one go if he is losing over 50g in a day. Unlike the poo output, the scales are not lagging behind and give you the status quo when supporting an ill piggy.

It is more the hot weather that is of concern for a poorly piggy with impacted appetite. Having had a very nasty middle ear infection myself in the wake of a really bad flu, I know how much chewing hurts or completely is impossible when the jaw joint is affected by the pain at first.

But Gus is having all the support he needs and will get through it!

All the best!

 

[Rivervixen]

Healing wheeks for gus x

 

[Eddie & Elvis]

Get well soon Gus!

 

[VickiA]

You are doing all you can for him. Hope he soon perks up x

 

[Buggster10]

Glad that you have been seen promptly and have got the necessary medication for either potential issue! The sooner you can step in, the better any recovery chances. It is one of these issues, like eye injuries, where time really matters.

I hope that Gus is going to pick up again in the coming days as the medication is kicking in fully and is building up.

The weight is still a very good weight so I would not worry too much. The daily weigh-in at the same time in the feeding cycle is there to tell you whether your boy is eating enough hay or whether you need to step in with top up feeding. Keep in mind that hay is making around 80% and that you cannot control it by eye.
Since he hasn't lost his appetite completely, all you may have to do is to offer some recovery formula, mushed pellets or any mix thereof that goes down best; as much has wants to eat in one go if he is losing over 50g in a day. Unlike the poo output, the scales are not lagging behind and give you the status quo when supporting an ill piggy.

It is more the hot weather that is of concern for a poorly piggy with impacted appetite. Having had a very nasty middle ear infection myself in the wake of a really bad flu, I know how much chewing hurts or completely is impossible when the jaw joint is affected by the pain at first.

But Gus is having all the support he needs and will get through it!

All the best!

Help. Rung out of hours but they say nothing to worry about it's part of the ear infection but Gus a red ( bloody) I think discharge in ear. He has black ears so it's hard to see but as it was on outside of ear canal and slightly dripped out I was able to wipe it with cotton bud for you to see...I'm presuming this is not normal? Time to ring specialist again? I'm absolutely terrified this could be something worse. It's not a massive amount that I can see. I initially thought it was just wet wax coming out of ear canal and out on to fur but when I wiped it this was what it was

 

[Wiebke]

Help. Rung out of hours but they say nothing to worry about it's part of the ear infection but Gus a red ( bloody) I think discharge in ear. He has black ears so it's hard to see but as it was on outside of ear canal and slightly dripped out I was able to wipe it with cotton bud for you to see...I'm presuming this is not normal? Time to ring specialist again? I'm absolutely terrified this could be something worse. It's not a massive amount that I can see. I initially thought it was just wet wax coming out of ear canal and out on to fur but when I wiped it this was what it was

No, this is not normal at all; please speak to your vet.

Please take a deep breath and be strong for Gus for as long as he needs you. We can never choose when and what from our piggies die; it can come at any time from an unexpected angle right out of the blue. What counts are the many happy todays and the good daily care you are giving him because that is how piggies measure their life by. All you can do in a situation is to hang on and ride the tiger; as long as you put Gus' welfare before your own feelings, you can't go wrong.

Fingers very firmly crossed!

 

[Buggster10]

Have drops made it worse?