Hello, my piggie, Mocha, approximately four years, ten months old, has a head tilt. I just noticed the tilt about thirty minutes ago. I'm not sure exactly when it started, but it was wasn't before late afternoon. I took her out and I saw her head was tilted and also turned to one side. It seemed at first as though something was wrong with her back (like, stiff from sleeping on her side, or being picked up oddly, which I don't think was the case), but that's likely not the case. When she moves around, it doesn't bother her and she can move her head however she wants. Both my guinea pigs actually popcorned today and the two days previous, which they haven't done for a really long time. I was so delighted! She seems fine as far as appetite and activity goes.
So is there anything I can do for her without going to the vet immediately? My dad says that it's normal and just how it's most comfortable for her to hold her head (kind of like sleeping on their side) because when she walks, you can't see the tilt, really, so he won't want to go to the vet until I can show him that she's still doing that for a day or two. Will she be alright for a few more days (maybe two)? Also we're tight on money right now because my grandmother is sick and my mom wants to go visit her (in Europe) so we're not in the best situation right now. I could use my own money but it may not be enough for everything. We try to save as much money as we can since we need two college funds and my brother had braces and I have braces, so that's a lot for a family that's not at its best.
Also, we've never had to go to the vet before so we don't know which one is best. How do I choose? There are always good reviews and bad reviews, and it's hard to find reviews about treating small animals. Could anybody tell me their experience going to the vet with a guinea pig with head tilt? What are they going to do to see what's causing it (most likely an ear infection, right?) and what is normal/regular/usual treatment? I don't want the vet (if it isn't really the best) trying to get us to pay for a bunch of unnecessary, costly treatments that ultimately won't help. I'm aware that cost depends on where you go, but approximately how much will treatment cost of it's an ear infection? I've heard that if we get antibiotics that we should get probiotics as well. How much more will that cost? Should I get probiotics immediately or wait and see if she stops eating first? Also I hear that yogurt can be used as probiotic? And when I take Mocha to the vet, should I bring my other guinea pig for comfort, or will it just stress her out as well? And this is most likely not contagious, right? Since its most likely a bacterial infection and not viral. So separating them would just be stressful.
What's the most likely thing and what's the worst thing that can happen without immediate treatment? I'm aware that she should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, but it's difficult. It's such a shame that so many younger guinea pig (and other pet) owners must rely a lot on their parents for things like this. Not everyone has parents that care a lot about their small pets (not as much as larger family pets) and a lot of the time they're just not in a good financial situation.
Wow, I wrote a lot! Sorry for so many questions, but I would REALLY appreciate if you could answer all, most or even a few of them. I really want what's best for my girls, I love them so much. Thank you so much to people who reply!
P.S. Happy New Year!
So is there anything I can do for her without going to the vet immediately? My dad says that it's normal and just how it's most comfortable for her to hold her head (kind of like sleeping on their side) because when she walks, you can't see the tilt, really, so he won't want to go to the vet until I can show him that she's still doing that for a day or two. Will she be alright for a few more days (maybe two)? Also we're tight on money right now because my grandmother is sick and my mom wants to go visit her (in Europe) so we're not in the best situation right now. I could use my own money but it may not be enough for everything. We try to save as much money as we can since we need two college funds and my brother had braces and I have braces, so that's a lot for a family that's not at its best.
Also, we've never had to go to the vet before so we don't know which one is best. How do I choose? There are always good reviews and bad reviews, and it's hard to find reviews about treating small animals. Could anybody tell me their experience going to the vet with a guinea pig with head tilt? What are they going to do to see what's causing it (most likely an ear infection, right?) and what is normal/regular/usual treatment? I don't want the vet (if it isn't really the best) trying to get us to pay for a bunch of unnecessary, costly treatments that ultimately won't help. I'm aware that cost depends on where you go, but approximately how much will treatment cost of it's an ear infection? I've heard that if we get antibiotics that we should get probiotics as well. How much more will that cost? Should I get probiotics immediately or wait and see if she stops eating first? Also I hear that yogurt can be used as probiotic? And when I take Mocha to the vet, should I bring my other guinea pig for comfort, or will it just stress her out as well? And this is most likely not contagious, right? Since its most likely a bacterial infection and not viral. So separating them would just be stressful.
What's the most likely thing and what's the worst thing that can happen without immediate treatment? I'm aware that she should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, but it's difficult. It's such a shame that so many younger guinea pig (and other pet) owners must rely a lot on their parents for things like this. Not everyone has parents that care a lot about their small pets (not as much as larger family pets) and a lot of the time they're just not in a good financial situation.
Wow, I wrote a lot! Sorry for so many questions, but I would REALLY appreciate if you could answer all, most or even a few of them. I really want what's best for my girls, I love them so much. Thank you so much to people who reply!
P.S. Happy New Year!