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Head tilt (wry neck?)

Idris

Idris

Junior Guinea Pig
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Llundain, Cymru
Biscuit has developed a head tilt (wry neck?) this evening. Otherwise he seems OK. Eating but a little subdued and unsteady walking. Will call the vet but thinking take him in in the morning. Any other suggestions/link to information? DSC_0967.webpHave read is could be ear infection, or blindness. Do GPs have strokes?
 
Yes there can be a couple of reasons for a head tilt - ear infection being the first one which springs to mind.
yes piggies can have strokes
Definitely get him seen by a vet.
 
Blindness in and of itself doesnt cause blindness, but several illnesses that cause head tilts can cause blindness also, E.cuniculi for example, or a neurological event. Hopefully it will be something simple that is easily fixed with a course of medication 🙂 all the best for the vet visit, I hope it goes well.
 
Idris said:
Vetergesic. Both injected which he didn't enjoy 🙁
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If it makes you feel better the vet gave my boy Hazel “banana” antibiotics for oral use and by the looks of it he wasn’t happy that it’s not apple,going so far as to try and spit it out and clean his face vigorously. Guinea can be dramatic little things lol As a note my little J Rod had a URI (your guinea may more my not have one,please do not panic) that somehow avoided his lungs but went up the sinus instead causing a head tilt for about 5 days, best of luck to your boy!
 
Keeping a close eye on him today. He's always the last to emerge in the morning. Tempted him with some alfalfa hay but a bit subdued. Popped him back in with Pikachu and after some minor bickering he emerged from a hidey walking almost normally. Retreated to his house now. So will make sure he's eating and book a check up at the vets for later today.
 
Weigh him daily while he isn’t well as it is the only way to know he really is eating enough hay. If he isnt eating properly then step in with syringe feeding.
do remember that alfalfa must never replace a normal grass hay
i hope he feels better soon
 
Well Biscuit is eating happily tonight. Weigh in at 1196g is about 50g less than last night though. So still a way to go.
 
He seems perkier today, though not keen on the syringe feeding, unlike the others. Will try him on the Oxbow instead but seems happy eating hay, nuggets and veggies. Alfalfa hay is just a treat and small amounts.
 
Although seems on the mend he's lost some more weight, 1170 so started on the Oxbow critical care tonight. Not too keen but got a few ml into him. He has a surprisingly small mouth compared to our Abass
 
While he seems a lot better he's lost another 10g down to 1,160g. Switched to Supreme Recovery this afternoon and he was at least happy to take a few syringes before he stalled. Time for another round and meds before bed.
 
Heading back up. 1 188g tonight. Didn't want the syringe after veggies and Baytril but tucking into a fresh pile of hay with a few nuggets sprinkled on top. Head/neck getting back to normal. 😀
 
More progress. Tricky getting the Baytril in him tonight but up to 1210g on the weekly family weigh in. Hopefully next week he'll resume his competition with Wilbur for the heavyweight crown! Left to right Wilbur 1300 Brwsi 1209 Biscuit 1210 Pikachu 1085DSC_0953.webp
 
Baytril finished this morning (really didn't like it) and head tilt pretty much gone but last night he slipped back to 1190 and tonight to 1160. Not keen on syringe feeding either but trying to top him up now. Otherwise he seems normal. Will up the feeding tomorrow and maybe back to the vets. I read Baytril isn't so good for the digestion so maybe add some poop water from Pikachu?
 
Idris said:
Baytril finished this morning (really didn't like it) and head tilt pretty much gone but last night he slipped back to 1190 and tonight to 1160. Not keen on syringe feeding either but trying to top him up now. Otherwise he seems normal. Will up the feeding tomorrow and maybe back to the vets. I read Baytril isn't so good for the digestion so maybe add some poop water from Pikachu?
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sometimes antibiotics can give them an upset tummy and cause lack of appetite, this is why you need to syringe feed. Adding in a probiotic can help and poop soup is one of the best ones you can use But the poops you soak in water must be just produced as the bacteria start to die off immediately
 
Going back to the vets this morning. Managed a few ml of reluctant syringe feed this morning though he's happy to eat hay. Poops look OK but he was squeaking a bit when doing them and down to 1142. Still some head tilt. 🙁
 
Vet checked him over. Think we just need to get his guts stabilised post antibiotics so on the hunt for probiotic as they are out of stock. Used fibreplex successfully in the past.
 
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