Help! Senior guinea pig with strange symptoms...

[mathilde27]

I have a 5-year-old short-haired guinea pig.
About eight months ago, he began experiencing seizures and I thought he was close to death, but he recovered magically and continued as normal.
However, about four months ago, he began tilting and losing balance. I first suspected an ear injury of some kind but found nothing of the sort. The loss of balance then became a sort of semi-paralysis, where he could move his paws, but could not stay upright.
At this point, I figured it was a spinal injury or something along those lines, but the symptoms that followed confuse me.
He is losing fur at an alarming rate, and I suspected a mite or fungal infection, but my research disagreed. His condition is not contagious nor does it appear to bother his appetite.
He also insists on remaining on one side, and I'm not entirely sure this is the best idea.
I wish I could bring him to the vet, but I don't have the means.
Any and all assistance would be much appreciated.

 

[Piggies&buns]

He needs to see a vet. I am afraid with a list of symptoms this varied, he really needs investigation and treatment. Head tilt and losing balance can be due to an ear infection rather than injury so you wouldn’t have seen anything without specialist equipment.

have you been weighing him? Its the only way to know he is eating enough hay as hay intake cannot be judged by eye.

Can you ask friends or family to help with the cost of vet care?
if you really can’t afford it and nobody can help you, then please consider surrendering him to an animal shelter so he can receive help. He really does need to see a vet rather urgently.

 

[Swissgreys]

As @Piggies&buns has already said you guinea pig is clearly very ill and urgently needs to see a vet.
Home treatment is not enough - he needs a proper diagnosis and appropriate medication.

If you truly can't find a way to take him to the vet then please do the kindest thing and hand him over to a rescue organization who will see he gets the care he needs.

 

[Reenie]

If you are in the UK you can contact the PDSA who provide veterinary care if you are on a low income or benefits.

 

[Wiebke]

with the previous posters. This has sadly gone way beyond any DIY home tinkering and really needs to be seen by a vet. I am extremely sorry for you being in this bad position.

Saving up for vet care is something that should be done on a weekly/monthly basis as part of the normal maintenance/feeding cost all life long right from the start so you can always afford to see a vet for basic care or to prevent your piggy dying in agony. Sadly many owners are not aware of the importance of it until their piggy falls seriously ill.

You can find links to charities in the US for payment support via this guide link here: A guide to vets fees, insurance and payment support.

 

[Flutterby]