Piece of ear came off - does he need a vet?

[4boipigs]

I am not sure what happened, I am guessing he got bit thru the bars by his cagemate. They live in a divided c&c because they never got along but can’t seem to live without each other either. The ear is not swollen, doesn’t smell, no bleeding and no discharge. It was like this for maybe a week and then a couple days ago I noticed a piece of the ear has come away. He is acting fine and doesn’t seem to be painful in that ear. I will happily take him to the vet if needed, I just don’t want to waste my or the vet’s time if it’s nothing.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

If it's not bleeding, my guess would be its OK to leave it. If there's any open skin, maybe a saline wipe or similar would help prevent infection.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I agree, I don’t have C&C cages but have often wonder if they can bite each other through the bars, they clearly can

 

[4boipigs]

I agree, I don’t have C&C cages but have often wonder if they can bite each other through the bars, they clearly can

Their kitchen is in the middle, so they eat and sleep side by side. On occasion they try to lunge at each other, but most of the time they do well together.

I decided to make a vet appt anyway...we found one that is open today and not charging a crazy amount to see him.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Their kitchen is in the middle, so they eat and sleep side by side. On occasion they try to lunge at each other, but most of the time they do well together.

I decided to make a vet appt anyway...we found one that is open today and not charging a crazy amount to see him.

Probably best to be on the safe side

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Their kitchen is in the middle, so they eat and sleep side by side. On occasion they try to lunge at each other, but most of the time they do well together.

I decided to make a vet appt anyway...we found one that is open today and not charging a crazy amount to see him.

Certainly won't do any harm, and gives you the opportunity to see how good they are with guinea pigs in case you should need a vet on a Sunday for something more significant in future

 

[4boipigs]

Certainly won't do any harm, and gives you the opportunity to see how good they are with guinea pigs in case you should need a vet on a Sunday for something more significant in future

Our vet left the clinic we used to visit, so techincally we don't even have a vet right now. I hope this turns out to be a good practice.

 

[Cheekypigs]

It's a good opportunity to find out. We also had a badly bitten ear recently, the vet gave painkillers as well as cleaning it, so it was worth the visit as I imagine it must hurt badly! And the pig loved the painkiller so it was easy to give.

 

[4boipigs]

I am disappointed to say the dr wasn't an exotics dr. I wish they had told me that when they scheduled me. The site advertised that both drs are experienced with exotics. When the dr came into the room, he told me he isn't an exotics dr but he's treated them before. I lost a lot of confidence at that moment and he was super awkward. Luckily, I have meloxicam and an antifungal mousse, and he recommended Baytril to prevent infection.

On the plus side, I learned where our previous vet has gone, but she's about half an hr away and the traffic to see her will be rough.

 

[Cheekypigs]

Well it sounds like it wasn't a total loss.

Hopefully the meloxicam tastes good, the Baytril definitely doesn't! But it's a good antibiotic.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I am disappointed to say the dr wasn't an exotics dr. I wish they had told me that when they scheduled me. The site advertised that both drs are experienced with exotics. When the dr came into the room, he told me he isn't an exotics dr but he's treated them before. I lost a lot of confidence at that moment and he was super awkward. Luckily, I have meloxicam and an antifungal mousse, and he recommended Baytril to prevent infection.

On the plus side, I learned where our previous vet has gone, but she's about half an hr away and the traffic to see her will be rough.

To be honest, being an exotics specialist is overrated. I would take a general vet with an interest in small animals and experience of treating guinea pigs than an exotics specialist who hasn't yet treated a guinea pig. I suppose I'm saying the specialist tag isn't always worth the extra

 

[RosieLily]

Personally I have also received excellent help from general vets before.

 

[Lorcan]

It's a general vet that did Comet's teeth several years back, under anaesthetic, and it was done right first time. I'd been iffy about it in advance but my options were limited. In the 17 years I've been keeping pigs (on and off) I've never gone out of my way to see an exotics specialist. If a vet will see them, I prefer to start with them and go from there.

 

[Cheekypigs]

Our vet doesn't advertise themselves for "exotics", but they are very knowledgeable about guinea pigs, including their social dynamics. Expert is as expert does.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I am disappointed to say the dr wasn't an exotics dr. I wish they had told me that when they scheduled me. The site advertised that both drs are experienced with exotics. When the dr came into the room, he told me he isn't an exotics dr but he's treated them before. I lost a lot of confidence at that moment and he was super awkward. Luckily, I have meloxicam and an antifungal mousse, and he recommended Baytril to prevent infection.

On the plus side, I learned where our previous vet has gone, but she's about half an hr away and the traffic to see her will be rough.

At least you will know in the future where she is now and can register at her new workplace

 

[Bill & Ted]

My favoured vet (who is not local to us) is not an exotics vet but can knock spots off any “exotics” vet near us. It’s more a case of experience and knowledge and a desire to learn or interest in a particular animal that makes for a good guinea pig vet