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Ear infection!!PLEASE HELP

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snugglesbaby

snugglesbaby

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My guinea pig snuggles started to sway his head from side to side and his eyes were flickering, this was last night. i think i noticed his symptoms within 40 minutes of them starting. within 1.5 hours he was at a vet who said it was an ear infection, he gave him antibiotics injection and a course of antibiotics, also he said to bring him back in 5 days and if no better we would have to put him to sleep. what are his chances? i really can't lose him! please help
 
oh my goodness,I'm so sorry. i dont think they should end the piggies life for an ear infection though? I'm sending get well soon wishes xxxxxx
 
So sorry to hear that Snuggles is not well. Although I really don't think they should consider putting him to sleep for an ear infection though. What antibiotics have you been given for him?
 
the vet injected him last night and today we are picking up come antibiotics that can me mixed with his food. not sure the name until later. he is having difficulty drinking because his head still sways.any ideas? thanks x
 
Let us know what they give you as some antibiotics work better than others for infections.
If he is struggling drinking I would give him water with a syringe for the time being.
It might also be worth asking your vet for some probiotics as antibiotics can upset their tummies.
 
Hiya and welcome to the forum. Ask your vet for antibiotics that can be given straight into the mouth with a syringe. If you put it in the food you don't know if he is getting the full amount.

Ear infections can be serious, however with the right antibiotics he should be fine.

Common antibiotics are Baytril (Enrofloxacin) and Septrin (Trimethoprim Supla) what ones is he on?

Is he eating? If not you will need to syringe critical care which is avaliable from the vet in powdered form and has all the nutrients in for small animals. This needs to be done every 2 hours, wrap in a blanket with pigs back to your stomach and feed with a syringe also available from your vet.

As you know pigs don't make their own vitamin c up so if he is not eating then you will need to get some vitamin c drops down him. Again in the syringe and not put in the water bottle. I would also syringe water throughout the day to keep him hydrated.

I hope that helps a little, I know it is worrying.

Good luck!

Louise
x
 
will know name of antibiotics soon. got to go pick them up in half hour. thanks for all your help, will keep you updated. if i caught it quick enough do you think he will survive?
 
He should do with the right antibiotics and if you keep him going with the food. Just be aware that if he doesn't eat hay for a long period of time then his molars will grow and will cause him to stop eating further. This happened with a pig of mine who sadly didn't survive because basically I didn't have the knowledge at the time plus my pig did have other issues too.

Vets wont commit themselves when you ask that question, but pigs can go down hill so quickly because they need to keep eating just keep his system going and he should gain strength again! :)
 
he is managing hay, i put a load on the floor of the cage instead of in the holder, he laying down eating it. his head is not swaying as much as last night and only one eye is flickering, the side where the infection is. thankyou
 
I can't believe that the vet said to put him to sleep if he was no better because of an ear infection - that's shocking! He should be fine with a course of antibiotics. If he is having trouble drinking then you could bring the water bottle to him and he might drink or syringe water hourly so he does not dehydrate. Try hand feeding him his favourite things to try and encourage him to eat. Like S&T said critical care will also be needed if he doesn't eat at all.
 
A little pro biotic while he's on the antibiotics as well, perhaps give him some cucumber and other water type things like grapes that will help if he's not drinking as much as he should. Ear infections are so painful but sounds like he's getting better it was caught in time.
 
If you can get someone to give you a hand sometimes you need two people one to hold the piggy and the other to give the medicine.
Wrap him in a towel with just his wee head sticking out and give it from the side of his mouth.
Can be frustrating if the piggy is stubborn.
 
Wrap him in a blanket or towel with his back to your stomach he will soon get the idea.

I agree about the pro-biotic, they help to restore the gut flora and boost the appetite as some pigs go off their food when on antibiotics.

Protexin Bio-Lapis for Rabbits and Small Pets contains probiotic, prebiotic, enzymes, electrolytes and vitamins

or

Vetark Avipro Plus contains probiotics, prebiotic, electrolyte mix, vitamins A, C and E
 
Hope Snuggles gets better soon, ear infections can be scary! As long as he keeps eating and drinking with your help, he has a good chance. I would take him back to the vets sooner than 5 days though.. is there another vet in your area that might be less inclined to put a piggy to sleep?!
 
he is not as bad as yesterday night. just managed to get some antibiotics in his mouth, he does not like it though. any ideas for keeping him still? really don't like hearing him squeal?
 
I'm so sorry he is poorly.

I would certainly change your vet. That is appalling. Absolutely appalling to threaten you with destroying your pig for no good reason. Guineas survive all kind of problems, worse then ear infections (although the ear is horrible for your little one).

Have a look at the recommended vet section on the forum (in Health I think it is). See if there is someone else you could go to.

I wonder, would be be better on Septrin? - I'm asking the more experienced people here...

Lots of cuddles and kisses for the little patient, and ignore stupid vet! x
 
Lucinda said:
I'm so sorry he is poorly.

I would certainly change your vet. That is appalling. Absolutely appalling to threaten you with destroying your pig for no good reason. Guineas survive all kind of problems, worse then ear infections (although the ear is horrible for your little one).

Have a look at the recommended vet section on the forum (in Health I think it is). See if there is someone else you could go to.

I wonder, would be be better on Septrin? - I'm asking the more experienced people here...

Lots of cuddles and kisses for the little patient, and ignore stupid vet! x
Click to expand...

I think Septrin is generally better (might be worng) but that a lot of vets still won't prescribe it for piggies.
 
Baytril can affect the appitite so he will need the probiotic as well. How old is your piggy? Baytril should only be given to older pigs because it can interfere with the growth. Bactrim is a safe alternative for younger pigs.
 
I hope he is soon feeling much better. I really think you should look at finding a new vet though. Ear infections are nasty but with treatment a full recovery is very likely. A few years ago I took a piggy with pneumonia to a vet who phoned me later that day to suggest the kindest thing would be to put her to sleep. I said absolutely no way, and in no time at all she was much better and went on to make a complete recovery and is still fine three years on. Needless to say I don't go to that vet anymore.

I've always found wrapping them tightly in a towel is the best way to keep them still for giving medicine. I've also found that most of my piggies much prefer Septrin and therefore you can guarantee they have taken it all. In fact a few of them just grab the syringe they love the taste so much! Baytril does taste foul. I found out when my rabbit managed to flick the syringe round just as i pushed the plunger and I got it straight in the mouth! I really can understand now why they don't like to take it!

Anyway just remember you're doing a fantastic job, and I am sure he will be loads better in no time at all. x
 
I had a guinea pig who had an ear infection. When I found him, he was almost walking around in a tight circle in his cage, I panicked, didn't know what was wrong with him so rushed him off to the emergency vets. She said he had an ear infection and gave him a jab (can't remember what it was now) but within an hour he was totally normal again, walking normally and everything. He also had antibiotics if I remember right. I can't believe a vet would want to put down a pet for an ear infection, that does not sound right and doesn't sound like a vet you should trust your little piggy with, I would get a second opinion and seek an alternative vet. Good luck, I hope your little piggy is soon well.

Joy xx
 
he did that too, circling. he seems to be getting better, he is eating hay alot and enjoying his cucumber. his eyes are not rolling as much. snuggles is on baytril. the vet gave him a shot but only a bit of improvement after that. do you think he will be ok? x
 
Thanks for all your help, i just hope he pulls through this, as you can see, he is a big strong boy lol i lost a guinea pig, floppy not too long ago, i hate it! i love the little podgy furry mischevious little people really lol
 

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SunshineAndTwinkle said:
Hiya and welcome to the forum. Ask your vet for antibiotics that can be given straight into the mouth with a syringe. If you put it in the food you don't know if he is getting the full amount.

Ear infections can be serious, however with the right antibiotics he should be fine.

Common antibiotics are Baytril (Enrofloxacin) and Septrin (Trimethoprim Supla) what ones is he on?

Is he eating? If not you will need to syringe critical care which is avaliable from the vet in powdered form and has all the nutrients in for small animals. This needs to be done every 2 hours, wrap in a blanket with pigs back to your stomach and feed with a syringe also available from your vet.

As you know pigs don't make their own vitamin c up so if he is not eating then you will need to get some vitamin c drops down him. Again in the syringe and not put in the water bottle. I would also syringe water throughout the day to keep him hydrated.

I hope that helps a little, I know it is worrying.

Good luck!

Louise
x
Click to expand...

Septrin is not trimethroprin it is co-trimoxazole.
 
Thanks for that Mary it does contain trimethoprim though doesn't it? I'm just up for learning all I can about the medication side of it. I made so many errors with Cuzzy through lack of knowledge that I want to learn all there is to know.

Will add that to my folder! :)
 
woke up this morning and snuggles is eating and drinking by himself, no head swaying or falling over, his eyes are rolling very slowly and slightly! all good signs!
 
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