Convulsions :S

florna

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Yesterday, one of my pigs, Jovie, was over in the corner of the pen where they poo when she made a little squeak (this caught my attention) and started convulsing. She stayed on all fours, but her body kept jerking. It only lasted about 20 seconds, but it was so scary. I thought she was fitting. I picked her up and examined her body - nothing abnormal. Nothing weird in the cage in that area either. I got her and Sybil from a vet who runs a rescue and she had no idea what it could have been, but told me to keep an eye on her, make sure she's getting enough vitamin C, make sure they're not experiencing extremes of temperatures and keep them as low stress as possible. Anybody had experience with this? She's only 1 :(
 
Mine sometimes get hiccups, that looks like convulsions but if In doubt get piggie checked out
 
Yesterday, one of my pigs, Jovie, was over in the corner of the pen where they poo when she made a little squeak (this caught my attention) and started convulsing. She stayed on all fours, but her body kept jerking. It only lasted about 20 seconds, but it was so scary. I thought she was fitting. I picked her up and examined her body - nothing abnormal. Nothing weird in the cage in that area either. I got her and Sybil from a vet who runs a rescue and she had no idea what it could have been, but told me to keep an eye on her, make sure she's getting enough vitamin C, make sure they're not experiencing extremes of temperatures and keep them as low stress as possible. Anybody had experience with this? She's only 1 :(

Hi

Here is our guide on neurological issues - both information and care tips. This is probably the most under-researched are in the already dreadfully under-researched guinea pigs; but it may hopefully help you and your vet. At this young age, there is likely a genetic issue in play.
CBS (Calcified Bulla Syndrome) and Neurological Problems - Symptoms and Care

Guinea pigs can very, very occasionally get heaving hiccups (swallowing air) but it doesn't sound like that.

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what is going on just from your own description.
Wishing you and your poorly piggy all the best.
 
Thanks both for your comments. This has only happened once that I've seen though, and I'm with them, I'd say, 80% of the time. Should I just see how it goes?
 
I've no experience of this personally - my pigs tend to arrive as older (or ancient!) when frankly you expect more things to be going wrong.

'Convulsions' can be caused by a few different things and so a hands on vet check is going to be a must. But before you start getting too anxious about neurological disorders it's worth checking the more mundane triggers. One is mites - generally invisible to the naked eye - but while lighter infestations can cause scratching and shedding, heavier infestations can cause balding patches and convulsions because of bouts of intense itching. They are contagious so if one has them both likely will and both will need treating (it is a simple treatment). There are also ear-mites and ear infections which can cause ear problems, discharge, head shaking or tilting etc. If left untreated these can cause damage that to the ear structures that can't be undone.

I've had a quick nosy into some of your other posts and noticed one piggy having some waxiness of ears and you mention black dots around ears too? Even though the girls are from a reputable rescue it's quite possible that they came with passengers. I've had pigs from Blue Cross etc - totally reputable - all vet checked - and yet a month or so in they've been scratching and so have my others! The clincher was that after mite/lice treatment the scratching and shedding stopped. If you've not had the girls very long contact the rescue and see whether they will cover the cost of a hands on exam.

Good luck x
 
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