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Head tilt

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Kimmy619

Kimmy619

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I got my piggy out for a cuddle this afternoon and he was very quiet, not like his normal self. All of a sudden, his head started moving side to side and his eyes were rolling. Then, his whole body flipped and it looked like he was having a fit. My o/h called the emergency vet line and we took him to the PDSA. They said that Dale has something that is more common in Rabbits and is a balance problem usually resulting from an ear infection (can't remember the correct name for it!) she said that he would feel like he was extremely sea sick. She gave him an antibiotic and something for his balance and told us to bring him home and keep him seperate from his brother. We arent meant to pick him up too much as that won't help his balance. We also need to get liquid in to him via syringe every 30mins to an hour. His head is constantly tilting to the left and when he does try to walk he can old walk around in a circle. The vet said that 90% of the time, animals get better although it could be days or weeks. She also said that we should take him to our normal vets tomorrow for a check up. I have been trying to look it up online, but can't remember the correct name as I was a mess when the vets told us. I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this?! I know the vet told me that he would probably be fine, but I am really worried about him. I lost a piggy on xmas eve and am worried the same thing will happen again. The vet did mention that his head may always be slightly tilted to the left in the future.
 
I'm sorry that I don't know the name you are referring to. Hopefully the meds should help him and his head should go back to normal position xx
 
I think its a bid odd this one! Piggies can suffer from severe ear infections which upset their balance and can linger for ages, normally treated with AB's.
The thing that concerns me is that he had a fit beforehand. I'm not sure whether this is related to his ears, IF it is an infection. It seems much more neurological to me.
There is no way he has eaten something he shouldn't have i suppose? How old is he?

Ali
 
Hi Kimmy, I asked the forum about something similar that I had seen in a piggy in the adoption centre at my local Pets@Home. I have been on this forum ages but still dont know how to add a link! If you look a threads started by me, it is called 'Tilting Head' dated 14.08.08. I was given some really helpful answers that you may find useful. Good luck with your little piggy. xx
 
amentalcat said:
I think its a bid odd this one! Piggies can suffer from severe ear infections which upset their balance and can linger for ages, normally treated with AB's.
The thing that concerns me is that he had a fit beforehand. I'm not sure whether this is related to his ears, IF it is an infection. It seems much more neurological to me.
There is no way he has eaten something he shouldn't have i suppose? How old is he?

Ali
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He has veen eating normally, dry food, hay and some fresh veg this morning. He is just coming up for 1 year old. The vet said that it is very common in Rabbits, but hasn't seen a pig like it in several years. She said that his head tilt is him trying to look at things straight as we all look tilted to him if that makes sense?!
 
I agree it sounds neurological. I know what you are referring to, the name is somewhere in my mind, and will try and get the name of it for you and see if it fits with his symptoms. Most commonly a head tilt is related to ear infections, but the fit he had definitely leads to something going on in the brain - like a virus or infection of some kind.
 
Update: Dale is looking a lot better today and has been eating his food and drinking his water. Although his balance is not perfect, he is nowhere near as bad as he was yesterday. Took him to the vet who is pleased with his progress and thinks that it is probably just down to an inner ear infection although he wasn't sure it is bactirial or viral. He said that it would have looked like he was fitting yesterday becuase his balance was that out of synch that he wouldn't have even been able to tell if he was the right way up (he was squirming on his back). I have been given a 5 day course of oral antibiotics.

I was so scared yesterday, I am just so pleased that things are looking so much better today.

Thanks everyone for your advice. xx
 
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