Upper Respiratory and Ear Infections

[PennyCopper]

Sunday I noticed a slight head tilt on Penny's left. Monday it was no better and she was sneezing. I had a vet look at her today. The entire week she has been eating and playing/running all over the place, not acting sick except for the sneeze with a slight tilt. Vet took xray, found both ears were infected, and upper respiratory infection. Vet sent me home with an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and a nebulizer. My poor little piggie. Anyone else have these issues? And do you know of a simple way to keep her ear passages/sinus clean when she gets better? I do not want her to get infected again. Don't even know how she caught this.
Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Sunday I noticed a slight head tilt on Penny's left. Monday it was no better and she was sneezing. I had a vet look at her today. The entire week she has been eating and playing/running all over the place, not acting sick except for the sneeze with a slight tilt. Vet took xray, found both ears were infected, and upper respiratory infection. Vet sent me home with an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and a nebulizer. My poor little piggie. Anyone else have these issues? And do you know of a simple way to keep her ear passages/sinus clean when she gets better? I do not want her to get infected again. Don't even know how she caught this.
Thank you.

Hi!

Your vet has given you everything you need.

What you can do is give some extra booster vitamin C for the next 3 weeks.
Do not give high vitamin C additives on a regular basis as the body will adapt to the high level and can then develop scurvy as soon as the high level drops for whatever reason. Boosters during illness are more effective.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Making sure that your girl is as healthy as can be with a good long term hay-based diet is the best you can do. A well developed immune system will help her fend off any bacteria like URI that has gone into the inner and middle ear in your case (and that you cannot reach with any outer ear treatment!). A good diet can also contribute to your piggy living a year or two longer.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Please see a vet promptly with any head tilt - the sooner it is seen, the greater the chances of it correcting itself and of your piggy not ending up with a permanent head tilt.

All the best!

You may find our new owners guide collection on a wide range of subjects helpful. We are specifically addressing all the areas in a practical and precise way we get the most questions and concerns about: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[PennyCopper]

Hi!

Your vet has given you everything you need.

What you can do is give some extra booster vitamin C for the next 3 weeks.
Do not give high vitamin C additives on a regular basis as the body will adapt to the high level and can then develop scurvy as soon as the high level drops for whatever reason. Boosters during illness are more effective.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Making sure that your girl is as healthy as can be with a good long term hay-based diet is the best you can do. A well developed immune system will help her fend off any bacteria like URI that has gone into the inner and middle ear in your case (and that you cannot reach with any outer ear treatment!). A good diet can also contribute to your piggy living a year or two longer.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Please see a vet promptly with any head tilt - the sooner it is seen, the greater the chances of it correcting itself and of your piggy not ending up with a permanent head tilt.

All the best!

You may find our new owners guide collection on a wide range of subjects helpful. We are specifically addressing all the areas in a practical and precise way we get the most questions and concerns about: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thank you very much for the reply. I appreciate the advice, tips, and the time you took to get back to us. Today Penny seems energetic and happy- had a couple big popcorn jumps this morning. She is still sneezing and itching at her ears. : (
I will check into the links you provided, can't wait to keep learning.
Colleen and Penny

 

[Wiebke]

All the best!

I am sure that your vet has checked the ear of a build-up of wax or for rabbit ear mites.