Prawn having seizures

[moodysuzy]

Before anything else, I want to say that we are seeing an exotic vet tomorrow morning so please don’t be concerned that we aren’t seeking proper veterinary care.

Prawn is nearly 4 years old and has had infrequent seizures for about 3 years. The first seizure we took him to our local vet and they couldn’t find anything wrong with him, he seemed totally fine so we just went on with our lives, he didn’t have anymore that we knew of (obvs it’s possible he’s had some at night when we’re in bed)

He then had another one a few months ago and then another today.

After the seizures he recovers a bit, is always quite wobbly, and then he completely freezes up and flops over completely paralysed for less than a minute and then he comes back to himself. He’s back to normal within about 15 mins.

Has anyone seen anything like this? They really look like true seizures rather than the ‘seizing’ seen when they have mites, plus his fur and skin is healthy. If this was due to an ear infection I would expect more frequent seizures and other symptoms - plus he got the all clear when he had the first one years ago

Hopefully the vet will be able to give us some answers but I just wanted to see if anyone had seen anything similar before.
I’ve attached videos of a seizure: Prawn seizure
And then of him frozen after the seizure: Prawn frozen

Thanks for any help

 

[Merab]

I hope the vet can give you a proper diagnosis and help Prawn.

Watching a piggy having a seizure is quite scary.

Many years ago Philemon had seizures. This was long before I knew about the forum or exotic specialist vets but I did have a very good vet.
Without lots of tests and having seen Philemon having a seizure he said it was most likely something in the brain, either an infection or a tumour which was the most likely.

Holding you in my thoughts

 

[weepweeps]

Poor Prawn. It’s great that you have captured them on video. I’m sure it will help the vet. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[moodysuzy]

I hope the vet can give you a proper diagnosis and help Prawn.

Watching a piggy having a seizure is quite scary.

Many years ago Philemon had seizures. This was long before I knew about the forum or exotic specialist vets but I did have a very good vet.
Without lots of tests and having seen Philemon having a seizure he said it was most likely something in the brain, either an infection or a tumour which was the most likely.

Holding you in my thoughts

Thank you, it is really horrible to watch. Were you given any medication for the seizures?

 

[Wiebke]

Before anything else, I want to say that we are seeing an exotic vet tomorrow morning so please don’t be concerned that we aren’t seeking proper veterinary care.

Prawn is nearly 4 years old and has had infrequent seizures for about 3 years. The first seizure we took him to our local vet and they couldn’t find anything wrong with him, he seemed totally fine so we just went on with our lives, he didn’t have anymore that we knew of (obvs it’s possible he’s had some at night when we’re in bed)

He then had another one a few months ago and then another today.

After the seizures he recovers a bit, is always quite wobbly, and then he completely freezes up and flops over completely paralysed for less than a minute and then he comes back to himself. He’s back to normal within about 15 mins.

Has anyone seen anything like this? They really look like true seizures rather than the ‘seizing’ seen when they have mites, plus his fur and skin is healthy. If this was due to an ear infection I would expect more frequent seizures and other symptoms - plus he got the all clear when he had the first one years ago

Hopefully the vet will be able to give us some answers but I just wanted to see if anyone had seen anything similar before.
I’ve attached videos of a seizure: Prawn seizure
And then of him frozen after the seizure: Prawn frozen

Thanks for any help

Hi

All the best at the vets. Guinea pigs can - rarely - have epilepsy but unfortunately, the whole field of neurological issues in guinea pigs is totally under-researched.

We have collected what little is known in this guide here (see the second part; the first CBS one doesn't apply to you as you are not mentioning any of the telltale symptom clusters): CBS (Calcified Bulla Syndrome) and Neurological Problems - Symptoms and Care

 

[Betsy]

The Ever Beautiful Betsy had a seizure and I took her to the vet the next day and the vet said "it was probably one of those things that happens from time to time" which didn't help much tbh but she never had another. Here is The Ever Beautiful Betsy.

 

[moodysuzy]

Hi

All the best at the vets. Guinea pigs can - rarely - have epilepsy but unfortunately, the whole field of neurological issues in guinea pigs is totally under-researched.

We have collected what little is known in this guide here (see the second part; the first doesn't apply to you as you are not mentioning any of the telltale symptom clusters): CBS (Calcified Bulla Syndrome) and Neurological Problems - Symptoms and Care

Thank you for this info, thankfully he doesn’t have any other symptoms of CBS.

I’m hoping the vet will have an easy answer for us, but I think that’s unlikely. My poor boy

 

[moodysuzy]

The Ever Beautiful Betsy had a seizure and I took her to the vet the next day and the vet said "it was probably one of those things that happens from time to time" which didn't help much tbh but she never had another. Here is The Ever Beautiful Betsy.


View attachment 218917

Oh she is absolutely gorgeous, she looks a lot like Prawn’s late brother!

I suspect we might get a similar answer considering how infrequent these seizures are. Out of interest what tests did the vet do or offer for Betsy?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for this info, thankfully he doesn’t have any other symptoms of CBS.

I’m hoping the vet will have an easy answer for us, but I think that’s unlikely. My poor boy

HUGS
We have come a very long way in the half century I have had piggies but guinea pigs are the most under-researched common pet where interest has starting to take off only very recently. Neurological issues are unfortunately one of the darkest corners. You can always spot the near panic in a vet's eyes when you mention neurological problems!

 

[moodysuzy]

HUGS
We have come a very long way in the half century I have had piggies but guinea pigs are the most under-researched common pet where interest has starting to take off only very recently. Neurological issues are unfortunately one of the darkest corners. You can always spot the near panic in a vet's eyes when you mention neurological problems!

His late brother had an undiagnosable blood condition and and only one kidney, they were rescues from the same litter and originally came from a pet shop so poor breeding is undoubtedly to blame.

They do love being special, unfortunately for me! <3

 

[Wiebke]

His late brother had an undiagnosable blood condition and and only one kidney, they were rescues from the same litter and originally came from a pet shop so poor breeding is undoubtedly to blame.

They do love being special, unfortunately for me! <3

They have obviously been lucky to find a very loving home that does their best to give them as happy a life as possible. But it can be expensive and somewhat nerve-wracking for you...

 

[Merab]

Thank you, it is really horrible to watch. Were you given any medication for the seizures?

No, it was a number of years ago and vets didn’t have the same knowledge or resources or understanding we have today.
Looking back, if medication had been suggested I would have tried it but at the time the vet’s best suggestion was pts.

 

[Betsy]

Oh she is absolutely gorgeous, she looks a lot like Prawn’s late brother!

I suspect we might get a similar answer considering how infrequent these seizures are. Out of interest what tests did the vet do or offer for Betsy?

I'm sorry I can't remember now it was about 5 years ago. Yes Betsy was a very beautiful girl inside and out although she could be a right moody cow at times.

 

[moodysuzy]

No, it was a number of years ago and vets didn’t have the same knowledge or resources or understanding we have today.
Looking back, if medication had been suggested I would have tried it but at the time the vet’s best suggestion was pts.

Oh I’m so sorry, that must’ve been awful I’m so grateful for how much vet care has improved for small animals over the last decade or so

 

[moodysuzy]

Prawn has been diagnosed with epilepsy, we’re not medicating at the moment but will reconsider if they become more frequent or the seizures last longer

 

[Wheekallweek]

At least you know what's going on now. Poor little Prawn

 

[weepweeps]

It’s good to have a diagnosis. I hope he’s seizure free for a long time.

 

[Wiebke]

Prawn has been diagnosed with epilepsy, we’re not medicating at the moment but will reconsider if they become more frequent or the seizures last longer

I am very glad that you have at least got a diagnosis and a handle on the problem. I sincerely hope that it stays stable for a goodly time!