Head tilt = ear infection?

[maeve100]

Hi there,

I have noticed in the last few days that there has been a slight tilt to my piggies head. He tilts it so that his right ear is down. From googling I think that this must mean he has an ear infection? He has been on Baytril following an abbcess surgery for 13 days, and stops antibiotics tomorrow. What do they treat an ear infection with? Sigh, two months ago mites, last month abcess, this month ear infection! Poor little thing! Could it be a reaction to all the Baytril or pain meds he is on?

Thank you so much - Liz

 

[mommyoffive]

Go to the vets as soon as you can, if not, head tilt can be perminate...meaning they will heal, but their head will never go straight again. I've had a lot of experience with this particular problem, baytril is not the strongest antibiotics out there, it is the safest. Also how old is your piggy?

 

[maeve100]

He should be turning 3 this year - I am going to call the vet as soon as the office opens tomorrow morning. I cant take the day off at such short notice, so I am hoping I can get him in on Saturday. That should be Ok right? He has a slight tilt for the past two days, but today was the first day I could tell for sure something was up.

What would they be able to do for him? Is there another antibiotic that is more specific for ear infections? Why didn't the Baytril prevent this? He has been on it for so long! *cry*

Liz

 

[mommyoffive]

Heres a link to guinea lynx...you should be able to find all the info there as they are way more of experts them me! To me, baytril seems to be a "safe" alternative. My petsmart always used it and it never seemed to do anything for the piggies. It should be safe to wait until the morning, just make sure he is eating and drinking, if not you may have to feed him by hand.

Guinea Lynx :: Antibiotics

 

[maeve100]

How fast does permanent head tilt develop? I never heard of this and am totally freaking out now! He is on pain meds and antibiotics from the surgery, so that must be doing something for him :-(.

 

[mommyoffive]

What my vet told me, in simple terms, guinea pigs have fluid in their ears that equal, when they have head tilt, the equalibrium gets trown off and liquid goes to one end or the other and it "tells" the guinea pig to move their head that way. When it gets out of control they end up tipping over and they are not able to eat or drink causing in death. I'm sorry if i'm scaring you, its a sad thing when this happens, but as long as you catch it fast, they'll be fine. 4 of my guinea pigs have previously had head tilt, My boy leo is the only one who's head has not gone straight, but he's gotten use to it.

 

[maeve100]

Sigh, I think I am much too tired to be thinking about this now. Thank you for all your advice . I just hope the vet has an appointment open with all this scare over the dog/cat food! Last weekend at the vet was so busy!