Gidget Medical Thread

[ItsaZoo]

Gidget seems to have head tilt. I noticed it this morning when she first woke up, and then it disappeared. This afternoon when she woke from a nap, her head was tilted to the right. She follows a corn husk around the cage without any balance issues. And when she hears food she trots to the front of the cage and stands up.

She’s eating and drinking, but I’m not sure if she’s done any zoomies today. Yesterday was a big day for zoomies. Of course we’re coming into the weekend and the vet is only open Saturday morning.

Anyone have an opinion, should I get her in tomorrow if possible?

[ItsaZoo]

Called the vet and we have a Monday morning appointment. Poor little babe.

[Sef]

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear this. Sounds like something inner ear going on. :(

[ItsaZoo]

Well, I’m watching her and she seems fidgety like she’s trying to get comfortable when she lays down. She lays on her right side which is the side of her head tilt.

I’ve also seen her scratch her ear and her belly. I thought of mites but her skin and fur look nice and healthy. She had only one ivermectin treatment and that was done by Animal Control when she was seized in August. She hasn’t been around any other piggies. I would think mites would have been apparent before this, but maybe not.

If I have to get Ivermectin for her, people will think I’m an anti-Vax loony. And if I explain it’s for my guinea pig that will seal the deal.

[bpatters]

I think it's far more likely to be an ear infection than it is to be mites.

[ItsaZoo]

I agree it’s more likely her ear.

I just cleaned the ear flap inside. Both ears are black so there’s a little black wax but no buildup. Then I brushed the fur against the grain to check the skin on her back and she was really irritated with me. When I put her back in her cage she jumped around and shook her head.

Now she’s eating hay and she does a little jump and shakes her head, then pulls at her belly fur. Without the tilt I’d say it was a popcorn. Of course, I’m noticing every little thing now. It’s going to be a long weekend.

[Lynx]

You're such a good guinea pig mom. I hope she shakes the ear issue! Seeing a vet is a good idea if there's a possibility of infection.

[ItsaZoo]

We had a little lap time. I snuggled her in a blanket with a warm compress on her ear and she took a nap. She didn’t seem to mind when I massaged around her ears and jaw so I’m not sure about pain. I still have some Metacam on hand so if she seems uncomfortable that’s an option.

[ItsaZoo]

Well, I don’t know what to think. Today Gidget has been fine. No head tilt, she ran a few zoomies, eating and foraging in her snuffle mat, hopping up on her wire shelf hideys. I still plan to take her in on Monday so she can get a checkup,

[Lynx]

At least things are looking up! The vet can closely examine her ears and see if something is going on.

p.s. I love your talking about a "snuffle mat". It sounds so cuddly.

[ItsaZoo]

She’s doing well today, too. So glad! She didn’t really know what to do with her snuffle mat at first, but now she knows to dig and forage for treats. Just something to keep her busy and give her some brainwork.

[Lynx]

The nose knows :-)

[ItsaZoo]

Gidget got a good checkup, and there is bacteria in both ears. So twice a day she needs ear drops containing Baytril.

Everything else checked out, heart, lungs, eyes, teeth, feet, skin. I’m just so glad we have a clinic that treats exotics, and they actually have 2 vets, both of which I like.

When I asked for an age estimate, she thought maybe 5-6 months. I told her Animal Control estimated 4 months when they picked her up in August. She said, “Do you think they meant 4 weeks?” She was underweight at the time. She gained about 100 g in the 11 weeks I’ve had her, but she still only weighs 640 g. However, the vet thought her weight was good.

So I’m not sure about when to stop feeding young pig pellets. I’ve been mixing them with adult pellets. I also give a pinch of alfalfa hay each day, but I’m almost out and I don’t plan to buy more.

[Bookfan]

My daughter is planning on stopping thee alfalfa pellets & hay when the babies are 6 mos. They prefer timothy hay & adult pellets anyway.

[ItsaZoo]

Gidget has a recheck tomorrow morning for her ears. I’m hoping she gets the all clear because she really hates the drops and I’m no fan myself. I ended up using a syringe instead of the dropper bottle because it started dripping right away and I had drips everywhere besides her ears.

We’re supposed to get high winds with freezing rain and snow so the drive might be interesting.

[Lynx]

I hate bad weather to drive in! Hoping her ears clear up soon. I wonder if a virtual visit might work to check the ears? Some cameras are very good at getting the outer ear, at least.

[ItsaZoo]

Gidget got a clean bill of health! The vet got a good look in each ear with a scope, then did a culture and there was no bacteria so the infection is gone.

The roads weren’t too bad but it was cold and windy. Which is okay since people stay home and there wasn’t much traffic.

I also asked about feeding the young pig pellets since we don’t know her age. The vet said a mix of 1 part young to 3 or 4 parts adult should be fine as long as I’m not feeding any alfalfa. And I told her I’m feeding Orchard grass hay rather than Timothy because the Timothy is so course and just doesn’t look good.

[Lynx]

That is good news! I'd go with the Orchard grass too, if it looks better. Glad the traffic was not too bad.

[ItsaZoo]

Gidget is tilting her head again. It just started tonight. I held her for a while but she’s fidgety and whining. She bunches her blanket to make a pillow for her head so I thought a warm pack might help, but she didn’t seem to care for it. Now she’s kind of pulling at her blankets, and I think she’s got some pain. I still have some Metacam from when Lacey was ill, so I may have to give her some.

I’ll be calling the vet clinic first thing in the morning. I hope they can see her soon, poor little thing.

[Lynx]

Aw, I'm glad you are so observant. Sorry she is in pain! et us know how the vet visit goes.