Head tilt, ear infection

[Tamijo777]

Hi, my 3 year old, Zeus, had a significant head tilt and decreased energy. So yesterday I took him to the vet and started him on antibiotics in hopes that will fix whatever is going on. Good news, he’s perked up and I haven’t seen head tilt today! But a couple questions, the vet said it’s very rare for a piggie to have an ear infection. Have you seen ear infections in guinea pigs? His eye on that same side is crusty also and said that wouldn’t be related to ear. Have you seen this too? Just wondering if someone else has gone through this and how did their piggie do. Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, my 3 year old, Zeus, had a significant head tilt and decreased energy. So yesterday I took him to the vet and started him on antibiotics in hopes that will fix whatever is going on. Good news, he’s perked up and I haven’t seen head tilt today! But a couple questions, the vet said it’s very rare for a piggie to have an ear infection. Have you seen ear infections in guinea pigs? His eye on that same side is crusty also and said that wouldn’t be related to ear. Have you seen this too? Just wondering if someone else has gone through this and how did their piggie do. ThanksView attachment 107521View attachment 107522

Hi! Ear infections do happen. Has your vet checked for a respiratory infection that could have moved into the inner ear? The respiratory tract and the ears are all part of a connected system, as my own painful sinuses swollen ear canals are telling me rather emphatically again right now!

Anyway, treatment would be the same with an antibiotic. It is a very encouraging sign that the head tilt is righting itself!
All the best that it will reverse completely due to your prompt action.

Please finish the whole course of antibiotics and don't stop early even if the acute symptoms have gone.

 

[Tamijo777]

Yes, his lungs sounded clear, and couldn’t see anything remarkable in his ear. No coughing or sneezing noted.Could be inner ear, but that can’t be visualized. She just didn’t sound 100% sure so thought I’d check here. I hooe you feel better! Thank you for your response.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes, his lungs sounded clear, and couldn’t see anything remarkable in his ear. No coughing or sneezing noted.Could be inner ear, but that can’t be visualized. She just didn’t sound 100% sure so thought I’d check here. I hooe you feel better! Thank you for your response.

Thank you!

If you also have rabbits, e. cuniculi can be also a cause of head tilts, as can blindness or neurological problems or a build up of wax or ear mites. It is often not easy to figure out what exactly is going on with a head tilt piggy.

 

[artcasper]

Hi, my 3 year old, Zeus, had a significant head tilt and decreased energy. So yesterday I took him to the vet and started him on antibiotics in hopes that will fix whatever is going on. Good news, he’s perked up and I haven’t seen head tilt today! But a couple questions, the vet said it’s very rare for a piggie to have an ear infection. Have you seen ear infections in guinea pigs? His eye on that same side is crusty also and said that wouldn’t be related to ear. Have you seen this too? Just wondering if someone else has gone through this and how did their piggie do. ThanksView attachment 107521View attachment 107522

Hi did your piggy recover ok? Mine had a sudden head tilt this evening and the vet said maybe ear infection so gave antibiotics.

 

[DMS260820]

One of my old pigs had a head tilt for around 5 seconds, he fell over sideways, got back up and carried on as normal. So strange

 

[Tamijo777]

Hi did your piggy recover ok? Mine had a sudden head tilt this evening and the vet said maybe ear infection so gave antibiotics.

Yes, he’s back to normal! We did one course of antibiotics and Reglan. I skipped the anti-inflammatory and I’m glad I did. Hope you have same outcome!