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Neurological Condition - Prognosis?

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Guinea-pigGaga

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Today, 27/11/10, I brought home two cavy boars. One appears to have an ophthalmological condition/ a condition affecting his eye. However, the other boar, who I believed to be in good health, has began to exhibit some extraordinary behaviour - he appears to be led by an invisible phantom at one particular point on his skull. Naturally, it is quite upsetting to witness. However, I am unsure whether this condition is causing him any pain, discomfort, or annoyance, and, if so, what course of action to take.
 
If you could give some more info on the conditions - the physical symptoms and behaviour. A video may well help too.

Suzy
 
It reminds me somewhat of the condition 'syringomyelia' - a common condition in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The boar will involuntarily, and uncontrollably, rotate in circles, and pace in different directions, often losing his balance.
 
I have had only a few with the same disorder you describe - all had originally came from the same petshop over a 6 month period before ending up in rescue. I assume that it was down to poor breeding control/poor diet during gestation and not caring if the offspring were healthy or not, I've not had any from another source.

The one piggie that had it to a more severe level than the others stayed with me for life - she lived until 2 1/2 yrs and her condition didn't impair her enjoyment of life. I made sure the cage was always the same layout - I also had a couple of blind ones at the time so they needed it kept the same too. When handled it did seem to cause a spate of spinning - it helped to hold her gently when returning her to the cage for a moment or two so she could get her bearings/balance before she trundled off. A close eye has to be kept on their dental health too - a couple had weak teeth initially as their diet had been so poor.

Did you get these two knowing they had problems, how old are they? I think it is very irresponsible for a petshop to sell pigs that are not in the best of health - they could easily end up with a family with no knowledge and suffer because of it. The shop may be wholly unaware that their supplier is producing such poor quality 'stock' hopefully if they are informed they will make changes.

What are the symptoms with your other piggy?

Suzy x
 
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Suzygpr said:
Did you get these two knowing they had problems, how old are they?
Click to expand...

I adopted them through an 'adoption scheme', in complete confidence that both animals were believed to be healthy, and under the impression they were offered with a seven day health warranty. Naturally, I have already emailed the organisation to discuss how this matter can be resolved.

Suzygpr said:
What are the symptoms with your other piggy?
Click to expand...

The other boar has a relatively solid mass under his eye, which I am not overly concerned about.
 
Has a systemic fungal/parasitic issue been ruled out (as these can affect the central nervous system and lead to unusual symptoms/behaviour), and has an ear infection been ruled out? However unlikely these may seem at first, I would check that none of these are to blame before taking a diagnosis of a neurological condition.
 
As an experienced cavy owner, and from simply watching his behaviour, I am almost certain that he has a neurological condition. However, naturally, I realise I will have to seek a professional diagnosis.
 
I have continued to monitor this boar throughout the day. Fortunately, this behaviour does not appear to be continuous. However, I have noticed that he 'flings' his head back far too much, and does not appear able to focus, and relies very much on his sense of smell. However, I do not believe this boar to blind. Any other suggests?
 
The pigs that had the same - or at least very similar - condition were, I concluded affected in a similar way to cerebral palsy in humans. Completely normal pigs but brain and body not communicating well.

I found they functioned well and their quality of life was as high as the other pigs, after all no-one had told them they were any diffferent to the other pigs and they weren't treated differently by the other pigs they lived with. Obviously it's quite possible that there is another explaination - and treatment, however if this is a lifelong condition, as long as they are happy little pigs then that's what's important.

Suzy x
 
Thank you for your reply, Suzy.

He is a gorgeous cavy. However, I am concerned about his quality of life, and I am unsure how this behaviour is affecting his companion, who appears to become quite distressed, and concerned - I have reservations in regards to how long these boars have been kept together.

Naturally, I have kept handling to a minimum, and will continue to handle both of these boars little, and often, and only when necessary, until they become accustomed to their new environment. However, the boar in question does not appear to like being handled. Did you find this to be the case with your previous cavies?

Furthermore, I have continued to monitor this boar, and will often find him in a rather deep sleep - fatigue being a common symptom of cerebral palsy. Is this also a symptom you witnessed in your previous cavies?
 
Update:

Boar 1 (with ophthalmological condition/ condition affecting his eye) -

Prescribed Medication: Baytril
Duration: Ten days
Diagnosis/ Suggested Causes: Include, orthopaedic deformity, potential abscess, or tumour
Other comments: 'Otherwise a healthy boy'

Boar 2 (suspected neurological condition):

Prescribed Medication: Baytril
Duration: Ten days
Diagnosis/ Suggested Causes: Include bacterial/ viral infection affecting the nervous system (Inner ear infection ruled out), past trauma, or congenital condition
Other comments: Euthanasia discussed

*Parasitic/ fungal infection ruled out*
 
Update:

Today, 03/12/10, at approximately 12: 00pm, I found Boar 1 with a discharge secreting from his lower eye duct. Naturally, I have made an appointment with my veterinary practice for tonight. However, naturally, with this new development, an abscess appears to be the likely cause for the mass.
 
Update:

Boar 1 was given a pain relief injection, had the affected area throughly cleaned, and has been prescribed antibiotic eyedrops.
 
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