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Head tilting!

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TaraJets

TaraJets

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I discovered my guinea pig, Priscilla tilting her head when I got home from school just now! I can't even get homework done, I'm so worried about her. She eats and drinks but seems kinda lethargic. I took her out and examined her ear. She had no swelling or discharge on either one. If she does not improve my family is willing to take her to the vet's tomorrow. Is it an ear infection or could any of the following have caused it:
1. loud vacuuming near cage
2. new oxbow food switch (I mixed it in with old food)
3. new hay (bought from same hay shop I always get it from)
4. recent ant problem in my house

Those are the only new things I can think of. I fed her a bit of a banana I was eating and she took it from my hand quickly and enjoyed it, it's still worrying me a lot though. What do you think this is?
 
TaraJets said:
I discovered my guinea pig, Priscilla tilting her head when I got home from school just now! I can't even get homework done, I'm so worried about her. She eats and drinks but seems kinda lethargic. I took her out and examined her ear. She had no swelling or discharge on either one. If she does not improve my family is willing to take her to the vet's tomorrow. Is it an ear infection or could any of the following have caused it:
1. loud vacuuming near cage
2. new oxbow food switch (I mixed it in with old food)
3. new hay (bought from same hay shop I always get it from)
4. recent ant problem in my house

Those are the only new things I can think of. I fed her a bit of a banana I was eating and she took it from my hand quickly and enjoyed it, it's still worrying me a lot though. What do you think this is?
Click to expand...

i would have thought it would be something to do with her ears.

but don't take my word for it!
 
It could be an inner ear infection, or it could be something else like something neurological. Best bet is to take her to a good guinea pig vet.
 
When you say a recent ant problem in your house, have you treated the ants with any chemicals & is there any chance they could have got into her cage at all?
 
Until there is a proper diagnosis from a cavy savvy vet there is no point in speculating....

For what it's worth..it's unlikely to be the ants or treatment thereof

Please go see a vet

HTH
x
 
I am going to see one unless she gets better overnight, but I was just freaking out about my poor baby. sorry, I only wanted to know what you guys thought of her situation.
 
Yep, that sounds like a middle ear infection to me. They are notoriously difficult to treat however, and the likelihood is that your pig may retain the tilt permanently. Don't worry, even pigs with quite severe head tilt can lead perfectly normal, happy lives. I have a boar here who has a head tilt and he's a happy healthy pig (if a bit strange looking lol!) Good luck.
 
Guys, I'm not sure what happened but the head tilt is gone! poof! ?/ she's not sleeping all day like yesterday and doesn't tilt her head in the slightest. I was crying and like packing her travel carrier for the vet trip but I guess it's not necessary. *PHEW* Thank you guys for all the help!
 
I would still strongly suggest seeing a vet.

My Whiskey had what we thought was just a minor leg injury the first time she lost movement of her legs and then got a slight head tilt. She came out of it fine but we took her anyway as it was quite distressing for her, and it sadly turned out to be a lot worse.

I am not saying this will be the case for your girl but it's far better to know sooner rather than later. Please still see a vet as a head tilt can be a sign of something very serious.
 
I'm not saying this to worry you more, but my Marjorine had this problem ever since he was a babe, so we always thought he just looked like that since the vets couldn't see anything wrong with him... turns out he had a major brain infection and was slowly paralizing the left side of his body.

However! Marjorine had it from day one. Yours is sudden. So it's probably something internal with the ears, possibly the back teeth? vet would be your best bet...
 
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