Ear Infection And Surolan

[jryans10]

Hi everyone,

I have a very poorly guinea pig . We first noticed his head was tilted, so we went to see the vet who gave us some baytril but it didn't work. The vet then gave us more baytril to be taken for a bit longer, and still no effect.

The vet then gave us some ear drops called Surolan. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experience with surolan and ear infections?

Any recommendations on what we can do? We just feel really upset because he is such a friendly GP and always loves interacting with us, and when we stop stroking him he keeps coming back for more , so he is part of the family.

Many thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

Surolan are broad spectrum ear drops for ear wax, ear mites etc. A piggy of mine has been prescibed them some years ago when it was not quite clear what was causing it to shake its head repeatedly (usually an indication of an irritation in the ear), but it was a very mild complaint compared to yours.

A head tilt can have many reasons; an ear infection is the most common, but the head tilt can also result from a stroke or from neurological problems.

@Abi_nurse @helen105281

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I had a guinea pig come to my sanctuary who had been prescribed these drops for an ear infection. All they had done was make her ear a soggy mess inside. We stopped them immediately and she was prescribed the antibiotic Zithromax, which sorted the problem out very quickly.

 

[helen105281]

I agree with furryfriends, the drops won't help with an infection, the best thing would be to ask the vet for Zithromax if you can.

 

[Abi_nurse]

If your piggy has a head tilt it is likely to be an inner ear infection so drops will no solve the problem and baytril is potentially not a good enough antibiotic to treat it. I would suggest:
- a stronger antibiotic such as marbocyl or Zithromax
- a 28 day course of panacur to cover any potential for e.cuniculi infection which can cause head tilts
- if no improvement on this then an X-ray or CT scan to image the inner ear,

x

 

[jryans10]

Thank you all for your kind advice.

I shall take him back early next week to be rechecked and if there is no improvement I shall ask if she can prescribe Zithromax.

 

[7squeakers.]

God luck at the vets. I hope the problem gets sorted very quickly.