Head Tilting Ear Infection

[Guinea_piggy]

Hi, I bought a guinea pig from pets at home (a stupid mistake I realise now) a week ago on Sunday. After 2-3 days I realised that his head was tillted. Apparently they had a health check the morning I bought him so we rang pets at home to ask them what was wrong with him. They said they didn't know but offered to take him back of us, I obviously refused so they said they would pay for him to see a vet so we took him to the vets on Monday.
The vet had said his immune system isn't working properly and has an ear infection that has gone to his brain. He has been on antibiotics and has to go back to the vets on Thursday to see if it's working. I don't see much improvement as he has only been on antibiotics for 3days so I need advice. Has anyone been through the same thing? Or knows what to do? Thanks

 

[Kerrie74]

I'll tag @Wiebke in who is someone that knows a lot about piggie health.

Are you able to take your guinea to a different vet?

 

[Flutterby]

Sending healing vibes! x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I bought a guinea pig from pets at home (a stupid mistake I realise now) a week ago on Sunday. After 2-3 days I realised that his head was tillted. Apparently they had a health check the morning I bought him so we rang pets at home to ask them what was wrong with him. They said they didn't know but offered to take him back of us, I obviously refused so they said they would pay for him to see a vet so we took him to the vets on Monday.
The vet had said his immune system isn't working properly and has an ear infection that has gone to his brain. He has been on antibiotics and has to go back to the vets on Thursday to see if it's working. I don't see much improvement as he has only been on antibiotics for 3days so I need advice. Has anyone been through the same thing? Or knows what to do? Thanks

Most head tilts are due to an ear infection and it can take some time for it to go down. If the infection is not treated promptly, the head tilt can unfortunately become permanent, but if the ear infection is healed out properly, your piggy can still enjoy a normal and full life!

The immune system in young guinea pigs is not yet quite fully developed. They also undergo a lot of stress when they are separated from their mums at commercial breedes, transported to the various shops and then sold as pets into a completely new environment, which makes them even more likely to be affected by opportunistic illnesses, parasites or fungal complaints.

Could you please state what antibiotic at which dosage and concentration he is on and what his body weight is? You need to finish the course anyway; it should take at least a week. There are stronger antibiotic available (if not licensed), but you may need to see a more piggy savvy vet for this if necessary. We have got a recommended piggy savvy vets locator on the top bar if you need it.

Please weigh your little piggy daily at the same time to monitor the food intake and to make sure that it is still eating enough. I would also recommend that you give a pinch of probiotic 1-2 hours after you give the antibiotic to help support the guts. Extra vitamin C will help to strengthen the immune system while he is ill. You can find more information in our syringe feeding guide.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

 

[Caron's Cavies]

I'm assuming that as with humans it can take a little while before you really notice antibiotics taking any effect.

Did the vet give you any idea of time frames or what to do meantime?

If you are concerned you could contact your vet again and perhaps ask them over the phone for advice
as to whether you should make an appointment to take him in sooner.

If you are worried it would be best to do this rather than wait and then wish you hadn't.

Hope all goes well and sending healing vibes. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Guinea_piggy]

Most head tilts are due to an ear infection and it can take some time for it to go down. If the infection is not treated promptly, the head tilt can unfortunately become permanent, but if the ear infection is healed out properly, your piggy can still enjoy a normal and full life!

The immune system in young guinea pigs is not yet quite fully developed. They also undergo a lot of stress when they are separated from their mums at commercial breedes, transported to the various shops and then sold as pets into a completely new environment, which makes them even more likely to be affected by opportunistic illnesses, parasites or fungal complaints.

Could you please state what antibiotic at which dosage and concentration he is on and what his body weight is? You need to finish the course anyway; it should take at least a week. There are stronger antibiotic available (if not licensed), but you may need to see a more piggy savvy vet for this if necessary. We have got a recommended piggy savvy vets locator on the top bar if you need it.

Please weigh your little piggy daily at the same time to monitor the food intake and to make sure that it is still eating enough. I would also recommend that you give a pinch of probiotic 1-2 hours after you give the antibiotic to help support the guts. Extra vitamin C will help to strengthen the immune system while he is ill. You can find more information in our syringe feeding guide.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

He is eating well his antibiotic is called baytril 2.5, 0.2no twice a day. Do you think I should carry on with the treatment? The vet said I have to make a decision I don't want to cause him pain if it's not going to work but I want to give him a chance.

 

[Guinea_piggy]

I'm assuming that as with humans it can take a little while before you really notice antibiotics taking any effect.

Did the vet give you any idea of time frames or what to do meantime?

If you are concerned you could contact your vet again and perhaps ask them over the phone for advice
as to whether you should make an appointment to take him in sooner.

If you are worried it would be best to do this rather than wait and then wish you hadn't.

Hope all goes well and sending healing vibes. Let us know how it goes.

He hasn't said anything about time frames he just said to give him antibiotics twice a day. Do you know how long it usually takes to heal?

 

[Wiebke]

He is eating well his antibiotic is called baytril 2.5, 0.2no twice a day. Do you think I should carry on with the treatment? The vet said I have to make a decision I don't want to cause him pain if it's not going to work but I want to give him a chance.

Yes, please carry on in any case! The fact that he is eating and active is a very good sign; it means that he is not in too great a discomfort (otherwise he would be off his food and rather lethargic). Your vet can give you additionally metacam if he thinks that your boy is in pain. There is no reason to pts whatsoever. But you need to be patient; three days is a rather short time.

 

[Guinea_piggy]

Yes, please carry on in any case! The fact that he is eating and active is a very good sign; it means that he is not in too great a discomfort (otherwise he would be off his food and rather lethargic). Your vet can give you additionally metacam if he thinks that your boy is in pain. There is no reason to pts whatsoever. But you need to be patient; three days is a rather short time.

Ok thank you so much for all your help and hope!

 

[Caron's Cavies]

He hasn't said anything about time frames he just said to give him antibiotics twice a day. Do you know how long it usually takes to heal?

I would imagine that piggies are like us humans we all heal at different rates depending on our immune systems. Never give up just because you feel that someone else wants you to make a decision whether it be a family member or a vet.
While he is eating & going to the toilet & does not appear to be in undue distress then you just keep going with what you are doing and loving him. You will know what is best for him as his piggy Mummy. You are paying your vet to help you care for him so if in doubt ring and ask their advice. Please let us know how he is going and sending love and healing hugs.

 

[helen105281]

Poor boy, it sounds like he is in good hands with you though. My Phoebe was on Baytril for an ear infection and it worked but I think it took longer than 3 days. She was walking round in circles bless her. There are other antibiotics the vet can try further down the line if needed too. Metacam would also help to remove any inflammation as Wiebke has said.

 

[gizzy]

Don't ruLe out debris , or even ear wax ,

A drop or two of Suralan from a few inches above the ear into the center of the ear .
The pig may shake it's head a bit in order to get it out , and in doing this hopefully will
Also shake out any debris at the same time .

Some use walm olive oil , but 1 you could get it too warm 2 it is prone to going rancid

 

[gizzy]

Just looked on the peater gurnys Web page , he used optRex for this type of problem
Wouldn't do any harm to run it past you vet

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I

Don't ruLe out debris , or even ear wax ,

A drop or two of Suralan from a few inches above the ear into the center of the ear .
The pig may shake it's head a bit in order to get it out , and in doing this hopefully will
Also shake out any debris at the same time .

Some use walm olive oil , but 1 you could get it too warm 2 it is prone to going rancid

I really do not recommend doing this. I've had piggies come to me at TEAS who have had suralan and other things put into their ears and have ended up in far worse a state. My vet does not recommend this line of treatment at all.

 

[Kerrie74]

Oh that's good to know @gizzy

One of the vets my piggie saw for an ear infection and URI's gave him something different than Baytril, but I can't remember the name of it, it began with a T, It was tablet form which we had to crush and add to water, but it did help.

 

[Flutterby]

How is this little one today? Have you managed to get a vet appointment?

 

[Wiebke]

Don't ruLe out debris , or even ear wax ,

A drop or two of Suralan from a few inches above the ear into the center of the ear .
The pig may shake it's head a bit in order to get it out , and in doing this hopefully will
Also shake out any debris at the same time .

Some use walm olive oil , but 1 you could get it too warm 2 it is prone to going rancid

I would not at all recommend doing this on spec! Adding anything but medicated ear drops as prescribed by a vet can make an ear infection worse rather than better, and can be VERY uncomfortable ot excruciatingly painful in an already sensitive ear! You would know that if you had ever had had to apply eardrops during a bad earache/ear infection yourself. If there is a perforation of the ear drum, it can have the most serious conseuqences.

Checking the inisde of the ears should be a standard part of a vet diagnosis when dealing with a head tilt.
The piggy in question has only been on antibiotics for three days. It is a baby, so a build-up of debris and wax is rather unlikely anyway.

@Kerrie

 

[gizzy]

Suralan ! Ear drops ! Vets recommend the use because it is safe .many keepers , use it with great success


So what you are saying is ignore a recognised , simple , elective treatment, for a momen's, discomfort

 

[Wiebke]

Suralan ! Ear drops ! Vets recommend the use because it is safe .many keepers , use it with great success


So what you are saying is ignore a recognised , simple , elective treatment, for a momen's, discomfort

I was more minding recommending olive oil for what is obviously rather being treated as a middle or inner ear infection than an outer ear infection. Suralan is in a vet's competence to decide.

 

[Caron's Cavies]

Morning all,

Sorry to interrupt but surely the best advice for anyone who has a poorly pig (like a poorly child) should be going back to the professional who
is dealing with them.

They have studied long and hard to become a vet and while I appreciate we all have experience that we can give to forum users we are not there
to actually see the poorly pig and to make an accurate diagnosis.

I am sorry if I offend anyone but I treat my animals with as much love and care as my children. I know what they are like normally and when they are not quite themselves. If they are poorly I take them to the appropriate person whether Vet or Doctor for help. Again if I felt as the Mother (again whether animal or child) that the diagnosis was incorrect or that the medicine etc was not working I would go and see further help until I found someone who could help me.

Surely this is what we should be advising everyone. Remember that if what we advise causes more harm than good surely we are ultimately responsible?

 

[Kerrie74]

Don't worry @Wiebke I wouldn't treat on spec, I only do as the vet says You should know that though! I was only pming you the other day about Jericho and Cesaro who are both going to the Alfreton Park vets tomorrow.