What do you think?

[Vida]

Yesterday Arwyn seemed to be walking a bit odd. I called my vet and got an appointment for Monday afternoon, which was the soonest they could see him. I didn't like the way he was, so I separated him from the rest of the herd. When I woke up today he was much worse. Head tilting to both sides, can't stand up. If you move him he sorts of falls flat from one side to the other, like an epileptic attack, but it's not an attack, he has no muscle control, just sort of limp all around. So I found an emergency vet quite far away and took him this morning. He had an xray of his head and another of his stomach and a blood test and the vet THINKS he MIGHT have an internal ear infection in both ears, but is not sure. He has sent him alsir anitbiotic, meloxidyl anti-inflamatory, primperan to stop sickness, critical care 3 times a day and vitamin C.

He seems just as bad if not worse this afternoon. I still have the appointment for my vet tomorrow afternoon and am thinking I will probably take him for a second opinion.

I am worried. He looks pretty bad. If it is an ear infection I am hoping that the meds can sort that out...but it could be anything else.

What do you think? Do the symptoms sound like an ear infection? Is it as serious as it looks or am I just over protective?

 

[Wiebke]

Poor Arwyn!

Fingers crossed that it is just an ear infection that has affected his balance, as that is treatable. I would keep him as quiet, comfy and warm as possible until you can have him seen again by your regular vet.

It is very frightening when a piggy goes so quickly downhill and there is vvery little you can do; you have done all the right things so far.

 

[Abi_nurse]

An ear infection is likely. It can cause symptoms like this, it will effect your piggies balance and cause them to head tilt to the point they fall on their side and are unable to right themselves. There are other causes but starting with antibiotics for a start and some symptomatic treatment is probably the best route as your vet has done. But i wouldn't blame you getting a second opinion to see if another vet can suggest anything else that can be done. Main thing i would suggest for now would be if to make sure your little one is eating, if not eating at all then i would suggest 15-20ml of critical care feeds every 4 hours.

Hope she starts to pick up soon.
Hugs!

x.

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

the balance problem and head tilit seem like an inner ear infection to me; that's the first thought i got. you have definitely done the right thing by taking him to the emergency vet. i hope the antibiotics and other meds clear this problem up. try to be optimistic, and get a second opinion if you think the other vet could offer different insight. i love critical care; it has gotten my pigs through some times that they might not have recovered from, since the antibiotics upset their little tums. good luck, and i hope you see some improvement in your baby.

 

[Vida]

UPDATE

Thank you all. It's been 3 weeks now. Arwyn has been on meds until yesterday. He is now better, but still shuffles around and walks with his head tilted. He hardly leaves his little house, just pops his head out to eat, doesn't drink at all.
The vet thinks that he's ok and can go back in with the herd (one other boar and five sows) but I've tried it and the problem is that the space is too big for him. I know that sounds weird, too much space, but the fact is he hides and with the difficulty he has walking, he barely gets to the food that the others scoff it down! I did try placing food near him, but the others just take it away. So I have separated him again and put him back in the small cage. But I am sad that he has no place to run or company. I don't know what's worse. I do place him in a run, but he just freezes and doesn't move.
What should I do? All suggestions are welcome.