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Permanent head tilt ?

I

iamlexi

Junior Guinea Pig
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Helloooo! So I posted a little while back about my guinea pig acting weird .. I know adopting from Petco is never a good idea, I know I know, but we adopted from Petco and they took care of taking her to the vet since they’re the ones that sold us her sick .. so, she ended up having an ear infection so they got her some antibiotics and stuff.. She started doing better and then they called and said she started spinning and tilting again so they took her back to the vet and got her some stronger antibiotics and now that it’s all done, today was the day to pick her up from the store and they told us she has a permanent head tilt? I feel so terrible and I’m not sure if she’s in pain or anything.. They told us that she only spins in circles when she’s uncomfortable and irritated .. I cleaned her cage today for her to come home to and she’s in there, she’s eating and drinking just fine but then she’ll start spinning when she’s not eating or drinking and she’s very wobbly .. I just don’t know if she’s in pain or anything? :( I’m not sure if there’s anything I can do or if there’s any special steps I should take to care for her? I’m not sure if there’s anything I can do? :( I mean, I’m not sure if maybe all the steroids and stuff being in her system still is messing with her, like maybe they’re too strong? I just feel so bad and wish there was something I could do.
 
Unfortunately, head tilts can be permanent after infections if the inner ear was damaged. I have previously had 1 head tilt piggy and have another currently, I've found once they have adjusted, they manage really well although it can take a few weeks. It's kind of sad to watch but it doesnt seem to affect them, although if you're worried, there is no harm in having her seen by your own vet for a second opinion. Personally I believe unless an ear infection is confirmed by xray it's always worth treating for E.cuniculi as well, just in case, as this can cause similar symptoms.

Aside from that, cluttering up their cage a little so they have objects to guide them seems to help, I find.
 
It sucks, for sure .. Aw gosh, okay that makes me feel a little better! It’s extremely sad to watch but I’m glad it’s not hurting her or anything! I’m definitely gonna find a good vet around me to take her to just to double check everything! I didn’t even think of that but I’ll definitely work on cluttering it up a bit and hopefully it works out for her! Thank you so much! :)
 
Sorry you were missold. Hopefully with time she will adjust to her surroundings.

would also say she would do really well (character wise) with some company. Piggies aren’t meant to live alone.
When she’s more settled we would love to see some pigtures. ☺️

PS I second taking her to your own (cavy savvy) bet for a general check.
 
Siikibam said:
Sorry you were missold. Hopefully with time she will adjust to her surroundings.

would also say she would do really well (character wise) with some company. Piggies aren’t meant to live alone.
When she’s more settled we would love to see some pigtures. ☺

PS I second taking her to your own (cavy savvy) bet for a general check.
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She has a sister ! 😋 I originally adopted Clementine, not really knowing they get very lonely ! I realized she started like crying and whining ? at night and so we went and got another piggy from the same litter, so we picked up her sister, oreo ! :’) These are from the day we got oreo, Clementine was too happy to have a friend ! 💗

Yes, definitely gonna! Thank you so much! ☺️
 

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iamlexi said:
She has a sister ! 😋 I originally adopted Clementine, not really knowing they get very lonely ! I realized she started like crying and whining ? at night and so we went and got another piggy from the same litter, so we picked up her sister, oreo ! :’) These are from the day we got oreo, Clementine was too happy to have a friend ! 💗

Yes, definitely gonna! Thank you so much! ☺
Click to expand...
Beautiful girls 💕
 
Siikibam said:
Let us know how it goes. I don’t know how far back you got her, but if the vet does anything beyond a check up maybe see if you can get the fees covered by petco. @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle @furryfriends (TEAS) would that work?
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I don’t think there would be any harm in asking but I think it’ll only work if the petco vet’s weren’t thorough enough/misdiagnosed/under-treated etc. It sounds as if things were done properly and the head tilt is simply going to be a side effect and not a result of any misdiagnosis etc
 
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