Head Tilt & Dandruff - Different Piggies.

[Kerrie74]

Hi,

we adopted two himi's, Cesaro and TK, my son noticed that Cesaro has an head tilt, I saw it as well after he mentioned which I know can be either ear mites or an ear infection, so we booked him and his brother from another mother into the vets along with our other two young boars who are itching.

The vet checked Cesaro over, checked his ear, said he couldn't see any infection or mites and said it was probably just Cesaro, like an habit or something? I think that's what my son meant.

The other piggies Snow who had mites, I treated him for three weeks along with his cage mate and washed them twice in lice n easy, the vet combed both Snow and Storm, nothing from Storm but dandruff from Snow, he watched the dandruff with one of those things you use to look in ears and said it was dandruff and said that Snow probably just has very sensitive skin.

So my questions are, can anything other than mites or an ear infection cause an head tilt and is there something I can use on Snow to help with the dandruff? It's NOT fungal his fur is perfectly fine. I'm also wondering if we stressed him when we washed him and that could be the cause as I read somewhere else that stress can cause dandruff as well.

thanks in advance

Kerrie

 

[Wiebke]

If it is a new head tilt that is not going away, then I would keep a very beady eye on it; it must be caused by something! An existing head tilt can be the result of a bad ear infection that has permanently damaged the inner ear.
@helen105281 @Pebble

 

[Kerrie74]

Hi Wiebke, thank you for your reply.

Aidan noticed the head tilt when he went to get the guinea's and told me about it when he got back with them. I thought exactly the same thing and I now need to consider my options with vets because saying "it could be the guinea pig is a bit hmmm. I really do wish we could drive or it was easy to get to places further out.

Oh really? So could he have had a ear infection that cleared and has damaged his ear? poor fella :/

I've booked him into a DIFFERENT surgery, it's one we usually use but they let us down when it came to Badger, but that vet isn't there any more. I just want a second opinion because I feel so sorry for him walking around with a bit of a tilt, its not there all of the time, but he does tilt often. Aidan said Sheamus had a bit of a tilt as well, I didn't notice it tbh, but Sheamus did have numerous ear infections and URI's last year. Still miss the little fella quite a bit.

In regards to the dandruff, Helen told me about Alphosyl, would that work on Snow's dandruff? I don't want to keep washing him though as it really does stress him out and he gets in a mood with us for a couple of days (he bites our clothes!).

 

[Wiebke]

I have already tagged Helen for you, but please accept that this is a weekend!

 

[Kerrie74]

I never expect people to answer right away to be honest. I just go off and do whatever and just check back every so often.

 

[helen105281]

Is there any way you could find out what antibiotics he was on before? it may be he needs a longer course or a change in antibiotics or it could be permanent damage like Wiebke has said.

Yes Alphosyl is worth a try, remember to patch test like with Jericho and if there is any sign of redness then don't use it. I have noticed black flecks when a pig is stressed (at the vets) but not dandruff.

 

[Kerrie74]

Thanks @helen105281 & Wikbke for the advice.

That's the problem Helen the rescue I adopted the himi's from said they came from a man who was going blind and couldn't see to sex them anymore, so he ended up with 300 guinea pigs, when we adopted him there was no mention of him being ill previous to us adopting him. She does usually tell you when there are problems.

Ok I've not yet bought it because Jericho is looking loads better, but I will get a bottle and give both Snow and Jericho a wash. Will I have to use it more than once on them?

Cesaro will be going on Monday to get a second opinion on his ears, as Wiebke said I don't think he has a tilt for no reason.

 

[Kerrie74]

@helen105281 I have an update for you. I messaged the rescue and the lady (Shaz) said that Cesaro hasn't had an ear infection as far as she knows and to put some mite drops in? I did read you can put them in the ears, but I thought I'd check on here first and ask how much you put in or should I leave it until he goes to the vets? I'm thinking about trying to get him in for tomorrow now as it looks like TK has another go at his lip, it's swollen so I want to go and get it checked out.

 

[helen105281]

I would leave it to the vet. Mites can cause head tilt but I think the vet needs to see him.

Ideally the baths need to be once a week for at least 3 weeks maybe 4.

 

[Kerrie74]

Ok thanks Helen. He did already see a vet but I don't think saying it's the guinea pig helps lol as in it's maybe something he does, I also noticed he bumped into their house today, so I'll get Aidan to point that out to the vet as well.