Where People & Piggies Thrive

Newbie or Guinea Guru? Popcorn in!

Register for free to enjoy the full benefits.
Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum!

Register
  • ONE THREAD per pig please!
    We really want your pig's history all in one place to help you. Please don't start a new thread for a new issue. Just reply to your old one. We can edit the title for you if needed.

Is my guinea pig sick?!

Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.

Toadies

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Posts
1,069
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
1,069
Don't laugh! Smell the inside of his ears. Do they smell a little "off"? Infection has an odor that is just not right. He also could have ear mites. The vet that I worked for would laugh at me if I told him that an animal's ears, incision etc smelled funny like infection, but I wasn't often wrong.
 
Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.

khptown

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Aug 17, 2008
Posts
156
Joined
Aug 17, 2008
Messages
156
I think I remember reading that guinea pigs can get ear infections, and when they get one they will shake their heads. If I remember correctly, it can cause a permanent head tilt if left untreated. If I am wrong though, someone will come and correct me. Good luck.
 

Lauren&Pigs

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Posts
79
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
79
Sounds like an ear infection or ear mites to me.
If your guinea pig experiences difficulty walking or holds it's head tilted to one side, see a vet immediately. Prompt treatment is critical for complete recovery. This can indicate a bacterial infection of the inner ear requiring topical and/or oral antibiotics. A vet will also check for parasites and other conditions.
Rabbit ear mites (Psoroptes cuniculi) may affect guinea pigs. The guinea pig may be seen scratching and shaking its head and the wax in the ears may appear dirty and reddish brown (sometimes just described as "dark"). A dried sugary exudate has been described in some cavies, which may be an early case of psoroptes cuniculi.
More information: Guinea Lynx :: Ear Mites
 
Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.

PiggieMamaKelly

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Aug 6, 2005
Posts
1,614
Joined
Aug 6, 2005
Messages
1,614
Also when he's placed back into his cage (its where it mostly occures) he begins to shake his head (kinda like if he just got showered and is drying up) and at the same time jumps around and does laps around his cage.


Sounds like popcorning to me.
 

AnimalHouse36

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
May 21, 2008
Posts
1,293
Joined
May 21, 2008
Messages
1,293
I was just going to say popcorning.

As for the fevers couldn't guinea pigs have a higher temp. then us?

Do suddenly your pigs ears get red or is it constant or when you shine a fashlight under it? If so it could just be his ears.
 

guineapigluver1

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Posts
1,652
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
1,652
Guinea pigs average body temperature is 99-103 fahrenheit.
To me it sounds like he's popcorning, you didn't know they have a higher body temerature then us, and he may have ear mites.
 

Deenanicole08

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Posts
493
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
493
It just sounds like he's popcorning, which is a good thing. Could you take a picture of his ears and post it so we could see what you're seeing?
 

Ly&Pigs

Cavy Champion, Previous Forum Moderator
Cavy Slave
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Posts
20,516
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
20,516
I don't believe ear mites will cause fever. An ear infection on the other hand may cause fever.
 
Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.

salana

Lethal Guru
Cavy Slave
Joined
Jan 15, 2004
Posts
1,859
Joined
Jan 15, 2004
Messages
1,859
My pigs with pink ears have always tended to have really dark red ears when they're worked up about something. The veins swell, the ears darken, and you can just imagine steam coming out of their ears as they say, "Mommy, would you please STOP clipping my nails?!"
 
Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.
Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.

PiggieMamaKelly

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Aug 6, 2005
Posts
1,614
Joined
Aug 6, 2005
Messages
1,614
So what was his diagnosis?
 
Linda122005
  • Post hidden due to user being banned.

PiggieMamaKelly

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Aug 6, 2005
Posts
1,614
Joined
Aug 6, 2005
Messages
1,614
From the sound of it, I'm not so sure this vet has any clue about guinea pigs and just gave you some kind of medication to make you feel like he was doing something. It might be a good idea to look around for a more competent guinea pig vet.
 

Ly&Pigs

Cavy Champion, Previous Forum Moderator
Cavy Slave
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Posts
20,516
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
20,516
What medications did the vet prescribe?
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.

Similar threads

GuineaPigParent36
Replies
2
Views
265
GuineaPigParent36
GuineaPigParent36
megamazing
Replies
5
Views
197
SSLee
SSLee
N
Replies
4
Views
502
Guinea Pig Papa
Guinea Pig Papa
M
Replies
2
Views
441
ManxMargie
M
JustMe_Soso
Replies
5
Views
376
4boipigs
4boipigs
Top