Ear mites? Infection? Pls help 😥

[Olizie]

Hi,
So I let my guinea pig out in the morning for floor time and he’s been scratching/pawing at his left ear quite frequently and also shaking his head often. This has only started today because I’m sure he didn’t do it yesterday evening however if these are signs of anything serious I would rather take action sooner than later. I checked both his ears and it doesn’t really look crusty or too dry or waxy and both the ears looked the same. He’s still eating, drinking, grazing on hay, wheeking, making ‘happy sounds’ and just general behaviour however is this something I should worry about? Should I take him to the vets straight away or wait a few hours/days and see how he gets on? I really hope it’s not mites or an infection but I don’t know what else it could be
If it can be helped, I wouldn’t want to take him to the vet because it will incredibly stress him out especially if it turns out to be nothing serious but of course obviously if it is something where he has to see a vet then he will go.
Any tips, comments, stories and mainly a lot of advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

He will need to see a vet, it sounds as if he is in some discomfort so there is something bothering him.
The guide below gives an idea of when situations are more urgent than others. I would call your vet tomorrow (if they aren’t open for normal surgery hours today) and make an appointment.
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,
So I let my guinea pig out in the morning for floor time and he’s been scratching/pawing at his left ear quite frequently and also shaking his head often. This has only started today because I’m sure he didn’t do it yesterday evening however if these are signs of anything serious I would rather take action sooner than later. I checked both his ears and it doesn’t really look crusty or too dry or waxy and both the ears looked the same. He’s still eating, drinking, grazing on hay, wheeking, making ‘happy sounds’ and just general behaviour however is this something I should worry about? Should I take him to the vets straight away or wait a few hours/days and see how he gets on? I really hope it’s not mites or an infection but I don’t know what else it could be
If it can be helped, I wouldn’t want to take him to the vet because it will incredibly stress him out especially if it turns out to be nothing serious but of course obviously if it is something where he has to see a vet then he will go.
Any tips, comments, stories and mainly a lot of advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Hi!

Please see a vet and don't DIY treat on spec. The ears are very sensitive organs and closely linked to balance. }
You can very easily make things much worse. It requires a hands-on examination on what is causing the discomfort and the appropriate treatment that only a vet can diagnose and give you, whether that is in an infection, a wax build up, rabbit ear mites or something else.

The benefits of getting the appropriate treatment promptly outweigh by far any stress from a vet visit.
Here are tips on how you can ease the stress: Tips For Vet Visits

 

[Olizie]

He will need to see a vet, it sounds as if he is in some discomfort so there is something bothering him.
The guide below gives an idea of when situations are more urgent than others. I would call your vet tomorrow (if they aren’t open for normal surgery hours today) and make an appointment.
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide

Thank you

 

[Olizie]

Hi!

Please see a vet and don't DIY treat on spec. The ears are very sensitive organs and closely linked to balance. }
You can very easily make things much worse. It requires a hands-on examination on what is causing the discomfort and the appropriate treatment that only a vet can diagnose and give you, whether that is in an infection, a wax build up, rabbit ear mites or something else.

The benefits of getting the appropriate treatment promptly outweigh by far any stress from a vet visit.
Tips For Vet Visits

Hi,
Thank you and don’t worry I wouldn’t even try DIYing any treatment. Also if I’m going to visit the vet would you recommend bringing the other piggy aswell? Would that be more or less stressful for both the piggies? Also that brings another question - if it was mites wouldn’t the other pig also have them? But they other one looks perfectly fine.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,
Thank you and don’t worry I wouldn’t even try DIYing any treatment. Also if I’m going to visit the vet would you recommend bringing the other piggy aswell? Would that be more or less stressful for both the piggies? Also that brings another question - if it was mites wouldn’t the other pig also have them? But they other one looks perfectly fine.

Please read the very useful tips by clicking on the green guide link. It will answer all these questions in greater detail than I currently have time.

 

[Olizie]

Please read the very useful tips by clicking on the green guide link. It will answer all these questions in greater detail than I currently have time.

Ok thanks