The never ending illness

[Deleted member 145660]

Hello everyone, I’m desperate for help here. I have a two year old boy named ozzy who unfortunately has been through it all illness wise. He started with a pretty bad ear infection that turned into paralysis on the right side of his face so he can no longer blink that eye. Ozzy was also left with a head tilt from that same ear infection. He was on a ton of meds for the infection but now we just do an eye drop three times a day to keep the eye moisturized after deciding with the vet he wouldn’t be strong enough for the surgery (when that was an option). This was all about a year ago. He has had teeth issues ever since because he cannot chew or hold food in his mouth very well so the teeth are not getting worn down. We take him to the vet for trims every so often as well. Now he has a respiratory illness that I cannot seem to fight off. I’ve been to the vet with him three times because of this and he still is making strange noises. Recently we noticed that he lost weight so he has critical care 4 or 5 times a day. That has helped but ive noticed his poos are much smaller than they previously were. He is eating and drinking well (he always has had quite the appetite) We think Ozzy has a poor immune system since we rescued him from a pet store batch. I want nothing but the best for my boys and I’m so hoping somebody can offer me some advice here so my sweet Ozzy can feel and function a little better thanks

 

[Deleted member 145660]

Hello everyone, I’m desperate for help here. I have a two year old boy named ozzy who unfortunately has been through it all illness wise. He started with a pretty bad ear infection that turned into paralysis on the right side of his face so he can no longer blink that eye. Ozzy was also left with a head tilt from that same ear infection. He was on a ton of meds for the infection but now we just do an eye drop three times a day to keep the eye moisturized after deciding with the vet he wouldn’t be strong enough for the surgery (when that was an option). This was all about a year ago. He has had teeth issues ever since because he cannot chew or hold food in his mouth very well so the teeth are not getting worn down. We take him to the vet for trims every so often as well. Now he has a respiratory illness that I cannot seem to fight off. I’ve been to the vet with him three times because of this and he still is making strange noises. Recently we noticed that he lost weight so he has critical care 4 or 5 times a day. That has helped but ive noticed his poos are much smaller than they previously were. He is eating and drinking well (he always has had quite the appetite) We think Ozzy has a poor immune system since we rescued him from a pet store batch. I want nothing but the best for my boys and I’m so hoping somebody can offer me some advice here so my sweet Ozzy can feel and function a little better thanks

I forgot to mention that when I arrived home today Oz had red all around his mouth that almost looks like blood to me. I’m not sure what else it could be as we don’t have anything red in their house. He does love to snack on blueberries but they typically aren’t that red and he hasn’t had any today.

 

[Claire W]

I'm very sorry that Ozzy has been poorly and is poorly again. @PigglePuggle had a piggy who had a uri that couldn't be shifted and was referred to a specialist. How cavy savvy is your vet? I would definitely have him seen again

 

[Deleted member 145660]

I'm very sorry that Ozzy has been poorly and is poorly again. @PigglePuggle had a piggy who had a uri that couldn't be shifted and was referred to a specialist. How cavy savvy is your vet? I would definitely have him seen again

She’s a small animal vet and has seemed pretty good. We have been to a larger vet that deals with bigger stuff (like his ear infection) but it is over three hours away so it’s quite the journey to make for my boys who aren’t so fond of the car I'm thinking I’ll probably just make an appointment with his regular vet and go from there. Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it

 

[Claire W]

Let us know how you get on. I see you're in the US but I am also tagging in our dental expert who may be able to advise further on his teeth @furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Wiebke]

As you are in the USA, there is a very newly identified syndrome called Calcified Bulla Syndrome (CBS) that covers some of your symptoms. It is the result of bacteria (usually respiratory ones) that are either untreated or undertreated but can travel into the middle ear capsule and wall it off, so it calcifies and causes intense vertigo. This all can cause head tilts, persistent respiratory infections, dental issues, eye problems as a result etc.

Saskia from Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue has been involved in the medical research with piggies of hers. Her article about CBS is about to come out in the new issue of Guinea Pig Magazine in a week or two; as I have been editing her article for the magazine, I have had a sneak preview of the full list of symptoms and yours are sadly fitting extremely well. An x-ray of the head would show very clearly whether the bulla is healthy and appearing as circle with a dark centre or whether it is showing up as two pretty large white blobs at the back of the head.

You may want to join Saskia's Wheekers! group at Los Angeles Rescue where people with more experience with this syndrome than I may be able to support you better. My Meleri, who sadly passed away this summer from mystery neurological issues may have had the fast onset form but her symptoms and progress was different. Since she had to be euthanised some weeks before I got to see Saskia's article, I will never know.
There is unfortunately no cure once it has got to this stage. The syndrome is a lot more common in the USA and Canada as respiratory infections in young pet shop guinea pigs are sadly exptremely uncommon whereas they are now very rare in UK chain pet shops after the main pet shop chain in the UK restarted with totally new breeding stock some years ago (we have been seeing loads of ringworm cases instead but those are not able to cause CBS).

I can of course not diagnose sight unseen but it seems to me the best avenue to pursue in order to get a handle on it; considering your location and the particular cluster of issues you are mentioning. I know of nothing else that would.

Please let us know how you are getting on.

 

[Deleted member 145660]

As you are in the USA, there is a very newly identified syndrome called Calcified Bulla Syndrome (CBS) that covers some of your symptoms. It is the result of bacteria (usually respiratory ones) that are either untreated or undertreated but can travel into the middle ear capsule and wall it off, so it calcifies and causes intense vertigo. This can cause head tilts, persistent respiratory infections, dental issues, eye problems as a result etc.

Saskia from Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue has been involved in the medical research with piggies of hers. Her article about CBS is about to come out in the new issue of Guinea Pig Magazine in a week or two; as I have been editing her article for the magazine, I have had a sneak preview of the full list of symptoms and yours are sadly fitting extremely well. An x-ray of the head would show very clearly whether the bulla is healy and a dark round or whether it is showing up as two pretty large white blobs at the back of the head.

You may want to join Saskia's Wheekers! group at Los Angeles Rescue where people with more experience with this syndrome than I may be able to support you better. My Meleri, who sadly passed away this summer from mystery neurological issues may have had the fast onset form but her symptoms and progress was different. Since she had to be euthanised some weeks before I got to see Saskia's article, I will never know.
There is unfortunately no cure once it has got to this stage. The syndrome is a lot more common in the USA and Canada as respiratory infections in young pet shop guinea pigs are sadly exptremely uncommon whereas they are now very rare in UK chain pet shops after the main pet shop chain in the UK restarted with totally new breeding stock some years ago (we have been seeing loads of ringworm cases instead but those are not able to cause CBS).

I can of course not diagnose sight unseen but it seems to me the best avenue to pursue in order to get a handle on it; considering your location and the particular cluster of issues you are mentioning. I know of nothing else that would.

Please let us know how you are getting on.

I just joined the group! Thank your for your advice I will keep everyone updated

 

[Deleted member 145660]

I forgot to mention that when I arrived home today Oz had red all around his mouth that almost looks like blood to me. I’m not sure what else it could be as we don’t have anything red in their house. He does love to snack on blueberries but they typically aren’t that red and he hasn’t had any today.

Hello again everyone! We have discovered that the red on his lips was not blood it was a blueberry when I was cleaning their house tonight I noticed a mushed up, half eaten blueberry under his bed! Sorry if I worried anyone very glad it was just a false alarm though! But as for everything else, we are still closely monitoring him. Thanks for the support everyone I’ve also included a picture from tonight of the boys munching on some hay! Oz is the one with the white stripe and Ace is the black one also Ozzy’s head tilt is not as severe as it looks to be in the picture he’s just trying to steal some hay from his brother

 

[Wiebke]

Hello again everyone! We have discovered that the red on his lips was not blood it was a blueberry when I was cleaning their house tonight I noticed a mushed up, half eaten blueberry under his bed! Sorry if I worried anyone very glad it was just a false alarm though! But as for everything else, we are still closely monitoring him. Thanks for the support everyone I’ve also included a picture from tonight of the boys munching on some hay! Oz is the one with the white stripe and Ace is the black one also Ozzy’s head tilt is not as severe as it looks to be in the picture he’s just trying to steal some hay from his brother

Glad that you have solved that mystery. All the best with the rest. You have some gorgeous boys.