Hi guys,
I apologize in advance for the length and greatly appreciate your commitment.
I lost my sweet pig Stella about two weeks ago, and it was a sudden death. Of course, I have played everything over in my head and found things to dwell on/things I feel like I should have got checked out but didn't, etc. I recognize a lot of these feelings come with grief -- and that is not why I'm here with this post today! Rather, I noticed with Stella that for several weeks leading up to her death she had very sensitive ears. She was normally a very skittish pig and was only just coming around to being petted and loved on the last 6 months of her being with me, so I wasn't certain the ear behavior was a condition, more of an annoyance and retreat into her skittish ways. She started shaking her head every time I petted her. Her appetite was wonderful and she was pretty normal otherwise than becoming a little more picky with her bell peppers and her weight fluctuated a little but did regain. I did also notice at one point she had some crusty nipples, but after bathing her everything seemed to be okay. No hair loss or other obvious signs of cysts, etc. So I just kept an eye on her. But after she passed, I looked at her ears some more and found a little bit of crust on her ears and thereafter wondered if she actually did have an ear infection that was really slow to show any signs other than the head shaking, until it was too late.
Fast forward to now, her cagemate, Opal, is now displaying sensitive ears and is similarly shaking her head whenever I go to pet her. I've had her since she was a baby and she is very used to being pet on the head frequently, and is not a jumpy pig. I have noticed scratching around the ears too, and what I thought to be some flakiness and redness. Freaked out, I immediately took her to the vet. To my surprise, the vet said her ears are totally fine, no apparent crust, discoloration, etc. - she also could not detect any sign of parasites. Opal recently started squinting her right eye too. So the vet examined the eye found a 'very minor scratch' and prescribed an antibiotic ointment and anti-inflammatory drops. They ruled it as her eye is scratched and painful and therefore she's trying to scratch it and inadvertently scratches her ear too. Problem is - whenever I touch her left ear she shakes her head too. I told them this and they said to give the medicine a few days and see what happens.
Obviously, I'm really concerned Opal could go down the same dramatic path that Stella did. The vet said Stella likely died from a stroke or cardiovascular complications (I woke up and saw she was all puffed up, had to tend to a work matter, and checked on her 30 minutes later, and she was all sprawled out, trying to move, but what looked like her back legs had stopped working, and passed away just moments later of me taking her out and trying to get her ready for an emergency visit. So heartbreaking).
IN CONCLUSION: I don't trust that nothing is wrong with her ears. She said it could be dry skin, but if so, only to get some 'oatmeal-based shampoo from the pet store' and try to clean and let it be. I'm just paranoid and anxious about it and thought I would consult and see if anyone has experienced a similar situation with the ears. See pictures below - doesn't it look dandruff-y? (Sorry for unavoidable sideways-ness)
I know a second opinion is likely to be suggested, but how many $60 visits can I afford right now? Would you call my vet out and insist on some other treatment? Just wait and see? Thank you
I apologize in advance for the length and greatly appreciate your commitment.
I lost my sweet pig Stella about two weeks ago, and it was a sudden death. Of course, I have played everything over in my head and found things to dwell on/things I feel like I should have got checked out but didn't, etc. I recognize a lot of these feelings come with grief -- and that is not why I'm here with this post today! Rather, I noticed with Stella that for several weeks leading up to her death she had very sensitive ears. She was normally a very skittish pig and was only just coming around to being petted and loved on the last 6 months of her being with me, so I wasn't certain the ear behavior was a condition, more of an annoyance and retreat into her skittish ways. She started shaking her head every time I petted her. Her appetite was wonderful and she was pretty normal otherwise than becoming a little more picky with her bell peppers and her weight fluctuated a little but did regain. I did also notice at one point she had some crusty nipples, but after bathing her everything seemed to be okay. No hair loss or other obvious signs of cysts, etc. So I just kept an eye on her. But after she passed, I looked at her ears some more and found a little bit of crust on her ears and thereafter wondered if she actually did have an ear infection that was really slow to show any signs other than the head shaking, until it was too late.
Fast forward to now, her cagemate, Opal, is now displaying sensitive ears and is similarly shaking her head whenever I go to pet her. I've had her since she was a baby and she is very used to being pet on the head frequently, and is not a jumpy pig. I have noticed scratching around the ears too, and what I thought to be some flakiness and redness. Freaked out, I immediately took her to the vet. To my surprise, the vet said her ears are totally fine, no apparent crust, discoloration, etc. - she also could not detect any sign of parasites. Opal recently started squinting her right eye too. So the vet examined the eye found a 'very minor scratch' and prescribed an antibiotic ointment and anti-inflammatory drops. They ruled it as her eye is scratched and painful and therefore she's trying to scratch it and inadvertently scratches her ear too. Problem is - whenever I touch her left ear she shakes her head too. I told them this and they said to give the medicine a few days and see what happens.
Obviously, I'm really concerned Opal could go down the same dramatic path that Stella did. The vet said Stella likely died from a stroke or cardiovascular complications (I woke up and saw she was all puffed up, had to tend to a work matter, and checked on her 30 minutes later, and she was all sprawled out, trying to move, but what looked like her back legs had stopped working, and passed away just moments later of me taking her out and trying to get her ready for an emergency visit. So heartbreaking).
IN CONCLUSION: I don't trust that nothing is wrong with her ears. She said it could be dry skin, but if so, only to get some 'oatmeal-based shampoo from the pet store' and try to clean and let it be. I'm just paranoid and anxious about it and thought I would consult and see if anyone has experienced a similar situation with the ears. See pictures below - doesn't it look dandruff-y? (Sorry for unavoidable sideways-ness)
I know a second opinion is likely to be suggested, but how many $60 visits can I afford right now? Would you call my vet out and insist on some other treatment? Just wait and see? Thank you