Specialist Head Tilt

[asdash]

On Friday I to Lucy to the emergency vets as she has some discharge and didn't seem quite herself, I was concerned about Pyometra. The vet had a good feel of her abdomen and couldn't feel anything abnormal and there was no further discharge, so we opted to just watch and wait over the weekend with antibiotics (Baytril).

She seemed to brighten up over the weekend although still not back to her usual self, she is eating and pooping ok (On Fibreplex too). However this morning she has developed a head tilt, I cant see any discharge in her ears (but am aware there could be something deeper I can't see) and I have done a mite check too, with no signs of anything. Don't know if it relevant or not but she did have a slightly bloodshot eye too, which the vet didn't seem concerned about.

Do I keep a close eye on her today, as she is already on antibiotics or take her back for another check

Thanks

Andrea

 

[Kerrie74]

Hiya, when I had a guinea with an head tilt it was because he had an ear infection. It's the little boy in my profile picture, sadly no longer with us,

 

[Wiebke]

Please have her seen re. blood shot eye and head tilt. Most head tilts are caused by an ear infection that affects the inner ear, but there can be other reasons.The combination blood-shot eye and head tilt needs to be investigated.

We have got a piggy savvy UK vet locator on the top bar if you want a second opinion.

 

[asdash]

Just back from the vets - ears clear so ? Neurological - Also a slight chance it could be caused by the Baytril so we are stopping that as she has had no further discharge.

Still eating ok so just going to keep an eye on her

Andrea

 

[Wiebke]

Fingers firmly crossed! Please weigh her daily at the same time in the feeding cycle to monitor her food intake/appetite closely. Give a pinch of probiotics mornings and evening to help with the digestion and some extra vitamin C to help boost the immune system.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...vitamin-c-overview-with-product-links.115404/

 

[asdash]

She seems a little brighter today - head tilt isn't as bad and she seems more able to walk in a straight line.her weight is stable.

Vets have rung the manufacturer of Baytril who have never come across head tilt being due to it use, the vet has also done some research and feels an ear infection is the most likely cause, so he wants me to re-commence the Baytril and carry on observing

Andrea

 

[asdash]

Just been back to the vets again today - Lucy has not been eating so I have been syringe feeding & Fibreplex for the last 10 days, despite this she is still losing 20-30g per day. She is managing some veg but no hay or nuggets

Her head tilt is better and her eyes aren't flicking anymore but they are both still bloodshot. The vet has had a good luck but she isn't responding to light so he thinks she has lost her sight. Teeth are fine (was wondering if they were a bit overgrown with the not eating)

She has had a week of Baytril with no effect.

Vets thinks it is probably neurological, possibly some bleed on the brain - we have discussed the options of bloods, refer on to specialist etc but I think we are leaning towards PTS. If it is neurological (which all the symptoms suggest), then even if we find out the cause then treatment options are very limited.

I have an appointment for tomorrow so that I can talk to the children etc but just wondered if anyone else had suggestions of anything I may have missed

Thanks

Andrea

 

[piggylover]

it may not be neurological as my avatar piggy is currently on Zithromax for an ear infection , my vet did say that if its a middle ear infection you wont beable to see it as it so deep inside the ear. Is the vet your seeing a cavy savy vet? if not i really think its worth seeing an exotics vet as baytril probably isn't the best antibiotic for an ear infection. My piggys eyes would quite red and one was bulging abit and they were also flickering but all of that calmed down within a couple of days of the Zithromax, and hes on the antibiotic for 12 days x.