Health - falling over, weight loss, arguing, bald patch

[palehunty]

Hi guys. One of my guinea pigs has been having some health problems. It started around a month ago where I woke up one morning and he was just really unsteady on his feet, to the point where he was falling over when he tried to drink and could not stand up or walk without falling over. That morning he was also very puffed up (like they puff up when they eat cold veggies). We separated him from his brother and gave him veggies which he ate and he seemed to perk up a bit. That day, we took him to two exotic vets. First one said she wasn’t sure and basically jumped straight to euthanasia, was not concerned about his weight despite only weighing 780g. Second one was far more helpful, he wasn’t sure what was wrong but prescribed antibiotic and metacam. Suggested that if it did happen again then they’d have to do bloodwork etc which we all know has risks. He has been fine since aside from him and his brother being at eachother more often than usual. Over the past few days, I noticed there’s a patch underneath his chin that seems to be getting bigger. It’s not completely smooth, so kind of like he’s over grooming or his brother is pulling it out. I can’t figure out what. It’s a struggle getting him to gain weight but he is slowly gaining it and is now sitting at nearly 900g (not perfect but better than it was). I’ve of course been researching as to what might be wrong and a common thing that keeps popping up is hyperthyroidism. But that would not explain him falling over. Could it have just been down to him being underweight? Is it worth going back to the vet again regarding the hair loss? I just don’t know what to do.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys. One of my guinea pigs has been having some health problems. It started around a month ago where I woke up one morning and he was just really unsteady on his feet, to the point where he was falling over when he tried to drink and could not stand up or walk without falling over. That morning he was also very puffed up (like they puff up when they eat cold veggies). We separated him from his brother and gave him veggies which he ate and he seemed to perk up a bit. That day, we took him to two exotic vets. First one said she wasn’t sure and basically jumped straight to euthanasia, was not concerned about his weight despite only weighing 780g. Second one was far more helpful, he wasn’t sure what was wrong but prescribed antibiotic and metacam. Suggested that if it did happen again then they’d have to do bloodwork etc which we all know has risks. He has been fine since aside from him and his brother being at eachother more often than usual. Over the past few days, I noticed there’s a patch underneath his chin that seems to be getting bigger. It’s not completely smooth, so kind of like he’s over grooming or his brother is pulling it out. I can’t figure out what. It’s a struggle getting him to gain weight but he is slowly gaining it and is now sitting at nearly 900g (not perfect but better than it was). I’ve of course been researching as to what might be wrong and a common thing that keeps popping up is hyperthyroidism. But that would not explain him falling over. Could it have just been down to him being underweight? Is it worth going back to the vet again regarding the hair loss? I just don’t know what to do.

Hi

I am very sorry for the anxious time you are having.

Falling over once your vet has checked that legs/mobility and ear/balance organ have to be ruled out, then that would unfortunately leaves a neurological issue or potentially a walled-in middle ear infection, where there is not much in way of treatment for your boy. Your vet is currently treating for a potential ear infection as the issue that can be medically addressed.

There is something more serious going on since your boys have dominance issues but unfortunately, it is not like 1 symptom goes for 1 illness so your online research won't really help you because you lack the medical background to see what is connected and what is not.
We can only help you with the care at home but we cannot replace a vet who to me is proceeding from the easily treatable to the less, as is the normal procedure.

I wish I had better news.

Neurological Issues (Seizures, Strokes, E.cuniculi etc.) - Symptoms and Care

PS: How long has your boy been on antibiotics? They are taking several days to build up to full efficiency. Has your boy got a head tilt?

 

[palehunty]

Hi

I am very sorry for the anxious time you are having.

Falling over once your vet has checked that legs/mobility and ear/balance organ have to be ruled out, then that would unfortunately leaves a neurological issue or potentially a walled-in middle ear infection, where there is not much in way of treatment for your boy. Your vet is currently treating for a potential ear infection as the issue that can be medically addressed.

There is something more serious going on since your boys have dominance issues but unfortunately, it is not like 1 symptom goes for 1 illness so your online research won't really help you because you lack the medical background to see what is connected and what is not.
We can only help you with the care at home but we cannot replace a vet who to me is proceeding from the easily treatable to the less, as is the normal procedure.

I wish I had better news.

Neurological Issues (Seizures, Strokes, E.cuniculi etc.) - Symptoms and Care

PS: How long has your boy been on antibiotics? They are taking several days to build up to full efficiency. Has your boy got a head tilt?

He was on the medication for around 2 weeks. He does not have a head tilt.

 

[CTWC]

 

[CTWC]

I'm sorry your boy is unwell but pleased he has gained weight I hope he continues to improve

 

[Wiebke]

He was on the medication for around 2 weeks. He does not have a head tilt.

HUGS

I am very sorry. Please contact your vet again if there is no improvement but it can be very difficult to get to the bottom of it and there may be only so much your second vet can do.

Persistent balance issues are not usually associated with hyperthyroid.

I wish I had better news.

 

[palehunty]

HUGS

I am very sorry. Please contact your vet again if there is no improvement but it can be very difficult to get to the bottom of it and there may be only so much your second vet can do.

Persistent balance issues are not usually associated with hyperthyroid.

I wish I had better news.

He hasn’t had any more balance issues since this one off about a month ago. He’s actually seemed completely fine and like it never happened, aside from the hair loss. I did try and post a picture of the patch but it doesn’t want to post!

 

[Wiebke]

He hasn’t had any more balance issues since this one off about a month ago. He’s actually seemed completely fine and like it never happened, aside from the hair loss. I did try and post a picture of the patch but it doesn’t want to post!

Thank you for clarifying.

Have you felt whether the skin patch is smooth or whether there is a tiny bit of stubble. In the first case, the hair has fallen out and in the second, it is from self-barbering, which I think it could be from the shape of the patch could be rather apply? Self-barbering happens when there is a source of discomfort or pain in or not far below the skin.
Barbering (Eating Hair)

Your picture has uploaded.
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[palehunty]

It is smooth with some tiny baby hairs. Hopefully you can see a bit clearer here.

 

[CTWC]

Hopefully the baby hairs are it growing back