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Gus is holding head to the right

Buggster10

Buggster10

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all. Looking for advice. We are sat outside our vets whilst they are looking at Gus. He's been quiet and just not himself.. he didn't come to the front of cage for food and is holding head to the right. Seems to be sensitive if touch right ear and right side of face. Vet has no idea what's wrong what th him and to be honest I'm not to happy with the vets attitude. Next step is specialised vet to ring. He's still in vets but we not allowed in with him..
 

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The vet gave metacam but has no idea what's causing it. He seems to be fine one minute and then goes back to being sleepy and holding head to side
 
My first thought of head tilt is ear infection. Presumably the vet checked for that?
If you aren’t impressed with the vet, then definitely get a second opinion

Is he eating? Weigh him daily to check he is eating enough hay and step in with syringe feeding if necessary
 
I asked to check his ear as that's what I thought. She said it was a bit waxy but couldn't see infection but could be middle ear. Reluctant to give antibiotics so gave metacam as not sure? Said antibiotics would be next step. He's eating and weeing ( rarely see him drink) poop is normal. He used to weigh 1400g when we rescued him off a lady but has lost bit if weight as she fed him on muselie bars only. Now he's on proper healthy food.. he has lost a bit since last week and vet said he's now 1325g. He's very sleepy. :-( head to the right side flat when sleeping. So worried.
 
Metacam being a pain killer is a good thing to have, but of course it won’t cure the problem alone.

Did the vet check his teeth at all do you know?

Keep an eye on the weight daily. Weigh him on your own scales now and then weigh him again tomorrow at the same time (it just ensures you’re in the same stage of the feeding cycle) etc. If he continues to lose more than normal fluctuation amounts, then do step in with support feeding.

Weight - Monitoring and Management
 
Buggster10 said:
I asked to check his ear as that's what I thought. She said it was a bit waxy but couldn't see infection but could be middle ear. Reluctant to give antibiotics so gave metacam as not sure? Said antibiotics would be next step. He's eating and weeing ( rarely see him drink) poop is normal. He used to weigh 1400g when we rescued him off a lady but has lost bit if weight as she fed him on muselie bars only. Now he's on proper healthy food.. he has lost a bit since last week and vet said he's now 1325g. He's very sleepy. :-( head to the right side flat when sleeping. So worried.
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Please have him seen by another vet promptly if he continues to deteriorate. A middle or inner ear infection needs to be treated promptly before you can look for other causes.
Here is our emergency support care advice. Please step in with syringe feeding support. The guide has information on that and also tips on how to improvise if you haven't got support care products at home: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Do you have rabbits or are rabbits very close by?
 
I've bought critical care food in ready incase. She said teeth look fine but something not right with him..when you gently stroke the ride side of face he rests that side on your hand:-( if no improvement will ring origin vets who are specialists
 
Wiebke said:
Please have him seen by another vet promptly if he continues to deteriorate. A middle or inner ear infection needs to be treated promptly before you can look for other causes.
Here is our emergency support care advice. Please step in with syringe feeding support. The guide has information on that and also tips on how to improvise if you haven't got support care products at home: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Do you have rabbits or are rabbits very close by?
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We do have rabbits? This cage is on top of them? But they are in solid wooden hutch not open guinea cage? I'll move to on top of other guinea cage instead.
 
I would book the appointment with the specialised bet as soon as. Hope you find out what it is soon.
 
Buggster10 said:
What's that?
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E. cuniculi is a protozoan parasite particular to rabbits that can also be transmitted to guinea pigs. It affects the mainly the brain, spine and kidneys. Initial symptoms are often similar to an ear infection, like a head tilt - and drowsiness if the brain is becoming affected.

Nothing to do with bad care just one of several things that can jump from rabbits to guinea pigs in close quarters and affect them worse.

I have no personal experience since I don't keep rabbits but other members do. We see cases of e.cuniculi fairly regularly on here. If treated promptly and correctly, the recovery rate is good.

@PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns @furryfriends (TEAS)
 
Rabbits are absolutely fine no issues at all and can't see how anything from them would get to Gus? I'll move him now as now even more worried. They don't interact?
 
Ok thanks I'll ask them to look for that too. About to give metacam now. Hope that does not make him worse
 
Buggster10 said:
Rabbits are absolutely fine no issues at all and can't see how anything from them would get to Gus? I'll move him now as now even more worried. They don't interact?
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Rabbits do have several illnesses which can cause illness in piggies. It’s just one of those things.

I have a rabbit but I always keep him in entirely different airspace, I always handle the piggies first so I don’t cause any cross contamination from the rabbit to the piggies. I even use a different bucket for emptying out their hutches so the bunny bucket doesn’t need to ever go into the piggy shed so there is no chance of any of his urine etc being near them etc.
 
Although I have no personal experience of E. cunniculi I have some theoretical knowledge about this parasite and I know it is very prevalent in rabbits and mild cases in rabbits are often asymptomatic. Guinea pigs seem to show worse symptoms, it is very infectious and if rabbits share the same space or food prep area or you handle the rabbits or their bowls or cage or soiled hay before handling piggies transmission is possible. Please see the vet for a diagnosis and correct prescription treatment, the treatment is usually with something like panacur or a similar medicine containing benzimidazole or fenbendazole- but please check with the vet as these medicines come in various formulations and doses suitable for every animal from a horse down to a rodent, so you need to get the correct one!
Hope your piggy is ok x
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
Buggster10 said:
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
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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.
 
Piggies&buns said:
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
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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.
 
Wiebke said:
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.
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He's on baytril, ear drops, panacur now kept on coolest bedroom in house
 
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
 
Any other suggestions greatly received. He's currently eating fresh stuff vets gave him
 
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
 
PigglePuggle said:
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
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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
 
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