New here.. help.. my baby pigs URI won't clear
Hi everyone..
I'm not sure if I should continue to post here or start a new thread.. but as everything seems related even though no longer a URI, Thors medical issues linger
He was on the chloramphenicol and finished the medication. Did not really seem to improve much.. his head tilt goes from severe one day to slight the next. I'm aware it's likely permanent so I dont get too antsy about that.
On the side where his ear infection was/is he hasn't been able to blink his eye.... this is what is causing the forever weeping eye (and why he went to the vet shortly after I got him).. his eye continues to be weepy and goopy. I clean it daily and put drops in
I noticed a white cloudy spot on his eye the other day and panicked and took him for an emergency vet visit. I had suspected he was maybe blind since he couldn't blink? He isn't blind. But the spot is from corneal irritation.. "if he doesn't blink enough " the dr said. I told him he does not blink that eye at all.. he hasn't in ages (honestly I dont remember when I got him if he did. I assume he did tho and this probably occurred during ear infection issue).. the dr said this is what caused the issue. He gave me another antibiotic ointment for his eye in case hes got an infection (his eye was red).. this is the 4th eye meds he has had. I have a stockpile!
Hes to have ointment 3 x day for 2 weeks then switch to artificial tears every 2 hours or as often as possible to keep his eye lubricated. I can and do blink his eye for him when I put meds in.
I've also noticed (and forgot to ask the dr) that he does not breathe through that nostril either. He does though the other side tho..
He sometimes gets food caught in that side of his mouth.. which he works free but sometimes has more challenges than others
The vet said he likely has nerve damage from the ear infection...recommended a CT scan.. they're cheaper in another city 1.5 hours away than here (he told me .. they have a small exotic animal training program there) but the cost is $600.. but it would allow us to actually see what is going on.
No xrays have been done or mentioned.. not sure if that would help.
He was super fat.. but he is out and runs more. He gained weight since his last visit but not a lot. He doesnt seem to have lost any, just not gained much.. though he eats well.
So I'm still at a loss and the left side of his face seems paralyzed.. it doesnt seem to bother him too much most of the time.. but my poor baby
Any thoughts?
I'm not sure if I should continue to post here or start a new thread.. but as everything seems related even though no longer a URI, Thors medical issues linger
He was on the chloramphenicol and finished the medication. Did not really seem to improve much.. his head tilt goes from severe one day to slight the next. I'm aware it's likely permanent so I dont get too antsy about that.
On the side where his ear infection was/is he hasn't been able to blink his eye.... this is what is causing the forever weeping eye (and why he went to the vet shortly after I got him).. his eye continues to be weepy and goopy. I clean it daily and put drops in
I noticed a white cloudy spot on his eye the other day and panicked and took him for an emergency vet visit. I had suspected he was maybe blind since he couldn't blink? He isn't blind. But the spot is from corneal irritation.. "if he doesn't blink enough " the dr said. I told him he does not blink that eye at all.. he hasn't in ages (honestly I dont remember when I got him if he did. I assume he did tho and this probably occurred during ear infection issue).. the dr said this is what caused the issue. He gave me another antibiotic ointment for his eye in case hes got an infection (his eye was red).. this is the 4th eye meds he has had. I have a stockpile!
Hes to have ointment 3 x day for 2 weeks then switch to artificial tears every 2 hours or as often as possible to keep his eye lubricated. I can and do blink his eye for him when I put meds in.
I've also noticed (and forgot to ask the dr) that he does not breathe through that nostril either. He does though the other side tho..
He sometimes gets food caught in that side of his mouth.. which he works free but sometimes has more challenges than others
The vet said he likely has nerve damage from the ear infection...recommended a CT scan.. they're cheaper in another city 1.5 hours away than here (he told me .. they have a small exotic animal training program there) but the cost is $600.. but it would allow us to actually see what is going on.
No xrays have been done or mentioned.. not sure if that would help.
He was super fat.. but he is out and runs more. He gained weight since his last visit but not a lot. He doesnt seem to have lost any, just not gained much.. though he eats well.
So I'm still at a loss and the left side of his face seems paralyzed.. it doesnt seem to bother him too much most of the time.. but my poor baby
Any thoughts?
-
Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
Continuing to post all your questions about this guinea pig on this thread is definitely what you are supposed to do in this forum.
Poor guy! I would only add that the ointment stays in the eye longer and might be a better choice long-term. You will be able to tell further on.
My understanding is that xrays can show the location and extent of an ear infection if it is present. You could ask your vet what he/she thinks about how useful an xray would be. If there is nerve damage, I don't think that would show up. If you saw signs of infection, perhaps a different antibiotic would help. You mentioned chloramphenicol. What other antibiotics have you tried?
Poor guy! I would only add that the ointment stays in the eye longer and might be a better choice long-term. You will be able to tell further on.
My understanding is that xrays can show the location and extent of an ear infection if it is present. You could ask your vet what he/she thinks about how useful an xray would be. If there is nerve damage, I don't think that would show up. If you saw signs of infection, perhaps a different antibiotic would help. You mentioned chloramphenicol. What other antibiotics have you tried?
-
bpatters
- And got the T-shirt
I'd ask exactly what they hope to find out from a CT scan, and whether anything they find is treatable. I'm not a vet, but I can't imagine that they're going to be able to treat anything inside the skull with anything but oral meds.
One possibility is that they could remove that eye so it isn't constantly irritated and painful. Pigs generally do very well with only one eye. But it wouldn't address the lack of breathing on that side. That suggests some sort of obstruction in the nasal passage on that side of the head rather than infection.
One possibility is that they could remove that eye so it isn't constantly irritated and painful. Pigs generally do very well with only one eye. But it wouldn't address the lack of breathing on that side. That suggests some sort of obstruction in the nasal passage on that side of the head rather than infection.
Hi
Hes been on Enroflaxcin And doxycycline.. but prior to me getting him when he was ar Petco he had 2 rounds of antibiotics there as well.. but I do not know what they were.
Hes also had baytril ear drops.
I thought the same thing about the breathing being some kind of obstruction.. but what I dont know.
The CT scan could help identify what exactly is going on.. but other than knowledge I dont know as he said if its nerve damage we can't fo anything about it... it could help to see if there's still an infection lingering..
He doesnt have a runny nose or sneezing.. but he still seems to have pain in the affected ear... as massaging it makes him very unhappy
Hes been on Enroflaxcin And doxycycline.. but prior to me getting him when he was ar Petco he had 2 rounds of antibiotics there as well.. but I do not know what they were.
Hes also had baytril ear drops.
I thought the same thing about the breathing being some kind of obstruction.. but what I dont know.
The CT scan could help identify what exactly is going on.. but other than knowledge I dont know as he said if its nerve damage we can't fo anything about it... it could help to see if there's still an infection lingering..
He doesnt have a runny nose or sneezing.. but he still seems to have pain in the affected ear... as massaging it makes him very unhappy
Bpatters thank you
I've read that they're really challenging to treat. Dr said in order to drain an infection surgery would need done which would be approx $3K.. in addition to the tests to identify the problem.
Hes been on lots of antibiotics. Dr did tell me once that he may need them for the remainder of his life.. but he isn't on them now..
Other than the pain at touch and the strange paralysis of his face he seems ok. He runs around.. eats well. Tries to assert his dominance (lol)
I've been feeding him alfalfa hay away from the other pigs too..he isn't losing weight but my others are very porky in comparison. I can't even catch them with 1 hand. They're told chunky.
I've read that they're really challenging to treat. Dr said in order to drain an infection surgery would need done which would be approx $3K.. in addition to the tests to identify the problem.
Hes been on lots of antibiotics. Dr did tell me once that he may need them for the remainder of his life.. but he isn't on them now..
Other than the pain at touch and the strange paralysis of his face he seems ok. He runs around.. eats well. Tries to assert his dominance (lol)
I've been feeding him alfalfa hay away from the other pigs too..he isn't losing weight but my others are very porky in comparison. I can't even catch them with 1 hand. They're told chunky.
Hi everyone!
Thor is hanging in there and is doing decently right now. Still has his forever runny eye and his nostril that doesnt work..
But I think I've come to a conclusion that his issues most likely are from maloccousion or elongated roots in his back teeth on the left side. Or maybe spurs?
Please tell me if I'm way off base..
Here is why I have this theory... the pain at his ear from his ear infection seems to be gone but when he had pain it seemed to be near his eye too.. still seems that way.. but hes either adapted to the pain or is desensitized to it to some degree.
His nostril on the side doesn't work.. it seems swollen and blocked.. though I'm not sure if his face is terribly swollen.. but his nostril cannot be seen into.
His eye doesn't bulge on that side, so this is where I'm not sure.. if anything it seems recessed and the flesh around his eye is swollen and makes the eye look small. Some days this is worse than others. .. just as his head tilt is absent some days and super obviously prevalent other days.
He sometimes gets parsley and such 'stuck' on this side of his mouth and he tries to get it out.. he is successful but it's odd to watch... I give him carrots once in awhile, but seems like he has crumbs that fall out and he has carrot bits left behind
When I refill foods at night I give small scoops of pellets in 3 dishes (I have 4 pigs) and lots of hay and fresh veggies.. he tends to go for the pellets. I feed him some parsley or red lettuce when I clean his eye so hes getting some veggies.
Hes not really losing weight but isn't gaining either. I've fed him separately due to this issue. He has gained small amounts but not much, so I'm still trying to feed him. Also bought him some alfalfa hay for feeding separately.. he isn't terribly interested
He DOES eat, though... and doesnt squeak when eating. But I feel like he should be gaining more. Hes now smaller than Mr. Magoo who is a bit younger than him.
I tried to look in his mouth to see if I could see anything.. I cant. Too much chubbles of his inner cheeks to see the back. His front teeth seem ok and healthy..
But when I did this he drooled some.. the next day he had drool on his cheek and chin too.. I cleaned it up and he doesnt seem to be drooling anymore..
This all just seems like it might be a tooth issue..
My vet hasn't done xrays and I dont know if they do GP dental work. He often mentions referring me to the vet teaching hospital at UC Davis for treatment. But since that's a couple hours from me and its unknown .. and I cant drive back and forth bunches .. I dont know.
I suppose I should see if I can get him to do an xray.. at at $100 a visit to just see the Dr plus meds etc.. well.. I have to be contentious as I have kids and my husband has missed work due to his own health issues.. so I want to proceed and have a step to solution.. since he has been seen at least 6 times since I got him in March.. and I feel like I'm pretty much in the same spot with no answers.
There's another vet who recently started to see exotics.. I made an appt.. it's in a week and a half. The cost is only $50 vs the $100 I have been paying.. but this concerns me too. But the practice is much smaller.. so maybe his care will be better.. I just dont know. The dr at the main vet hospital in town I've been going to seems to remember us when we come in and such.. but I am sure hes trying to save me money on tests etc since I've already spent so much time and money on his health. Petco has paid a lot in the beginning.. but I have been paying for a bit now.
Does this seem like a reasonable or logical hypothesis on what ails poor Thor?
Thank you all again
Thor is hanging in there and is doing decently right now. Still has his forever runny eye and his nostril that doesnt work..
But I think I've come to a conclusion that his issues most likely are from maloccousion or elongated roots in his back teeth on the left side. Or maybe spurs?
Please tell me if I'm way off base..
Here is why I have this theory... the pain at his ear from his ear infection seems to be gone but when he had pain it seemed to be near his eye too.. still seems that way.. but hes either adapted to the pain or is desensitized to it to some degree.
His nostril on the side doesn't work.. it seems swollen and blocked.. though I'm not sure if his face is terribly swollen.. but his nostril cannot be seen into.
His eye doesn't bulge on that side, so this is where I'm not sure.. if anything it seems recessed and the flesh around his eye is swollen and makes the eye look small. Some days this is worse than others. .. just as his head tilt is absent some days and super obviously prevalent other days.
He sometimes gets parsley and such 'stuck' on this side of his mouth and he tries to get it out.. he is successful but it's odd to watch... I give him carrots once in awhile, but seems like he has crumbs that fall out and he has carrot bits left behind
When I refill foods at night I give small scoops of pellets in 3 dishes (I have 4 pigs) and lots of hay and fresh veggies.. he tends to go for the pellets. I feed him some parsley or red lettuce when I clean his eye so hes getting some veggies.
Hes not really losing weight but isn't gaining either. I've fed him separately due to this issue. He has gained small amounts but not much, so I'm still trying to feed him. Also bought him some alfalfa hay for feeding separately.. he isn't terribly interested
He DOES eat, though... and doesnt squeak when eating. But I feel like he should be gaining more. Hes now smaller than Mr. Magoo who is a bit younger than him.
I tried to look in his mouth to see if I could see anything.. I cant. Too much chubbles of his inner cheeks to see the back. His front teeth seem ok and healthy..
But when I did this he drooled some.. the next day he had drool on his cheek and chin too.. I cleaned it up and he doesnt seem to be drooling anymore..
This all just seems like it might be a tooth issue..
My vet hasn't done xrays and I dont know if they do GP dental work. He often mentions referring me to the vet teaching hospital at UC Davis for treatment. But since that's a couple hours from me and its unknown .. and I cant drive back and forth bunches .. I dont know.
I suppose I should see if I can get him to do an xray.. at at $100 a visit to just see the Dr plus meds etc.. well.. I have to be contentious as I have kids and my husband has missed work due to his own health issues.. so I want to proceed and have a step to solution.. since he has been seen at least 6 times since I got him in March.. and I feel like I'm pretty much in the same spot with no answers.
There's another vet who recently started to see exotics.. I made an appt.. it's in a week and a half. The cost is only $50 vs the $100 I have been paying.. but this concerns me too. But the practice is much smaller.. so maybe his care will be better.. I just dont know. The dr at the main vet hospital in town I've been going to seems to remember us when we come in and such.. but I am sure hes trying to save me money on tests etc since I've already spent so much time and money on his health. Petco has paid a lot in the beginning.. but I have been paying for a bit now.
Does this seem like a reasonable or logical hypothesis on what ails poor Thor?
Thank you all again
That is my request.. the soonest appt the new vet has is a week and a half. I'm on a cancellation list to be seen. I explained to the receptionist on the phone my suspicion. I will also keep trying to get ahold of the regular ver we have been seeing. I'll pay the $100 to take him if they will actually listen to my theory for him. Hopefully I'll chat with the vet tomorrow if he calls back.. otherwise I'll leave another message
I looked at Thor's mouth a little more closely.. it doesnt seem as though hes closing it all the way on that side. I do hope this is something they can correct for him and it solves at least a couple of his problems.
Explains why he eats the flowery part of parsley but not the stem even though he used to much the stem first.
They have plenty of wood chews, hanging wood chews, chewable house, and hay is refreshed in the morning and at night and midday by my family if its low.
I would stop giving him pellets but I think that will make him stop eating altogether and I definitely do not want that.
It's kinda sad as I wonder if they had done an xray sooner if he could have been treated and be healthier now. Hes still a love. Still runs around. Hes jealous if I'm holding other pigs when I have him out too lol.
I feel like I should change my title of my post to Thor's medical saga..
What started as a suspected uri possibly wasnt (he never had runny nose or sneezing.. just the eye water)
I looked at Thor's mouth a little more closely.. it doesnt seem as though hes closing it all the way on that side. I do hope this is something they can correct for him and it solves at least a couple of his problems.
Explains why he eats the flowery part of parsley but not the stem even though he used to much the stem first.
They have plenty of wood chews, hanging wood chews, chewable house, and hay is refreshed in the morning and at night and midday by my family if its low.
I would stop giving him pellets but I think that will make him stop eating altogether and I definitely do not want that.
It's kinda sad as I wonder if they had done an xray sooner if he could have been treated and be healthier now. Hes still a love. Still runs around. Hes jealous if I'm holding other pigs when I have him out too lol.
I feel like I should change my title of my post to Thor's medical saga..
What started as a suspected uri possibly wasnt (he never had runny nose or sneezing.. just the eye water)
-
Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
I wonder if there is a weakness in the muscles on the side of his face too. Does the jaw close symmetrically?
Read over everything in the teeth area too.
www.guinealynx.info/teeth.html
Read over everything in the teeth area too.
www.guinealynx.info/teeth.html
I imagine its possibly part of it. His jaw used to close symmetrical it doesn't seem to now.. that side of his face seems a bit slack. I can take a photo. He seems to almost grind his teeth or something. Almost like teeth chatter but it's not. And it's more quiet
Researching down the rabbit hole about all of this has definitely led to this theory. I dont know if this theory holds water or not.. but it seems a somewhat likely culprit. It is in ways like this having ADHD can help.. but also consume me
I read the link you posted many times and looked through qs much info as I can find on the subject. In some ways I hope this is the answer to the problem..then at least we would have ground to work from! in other ways I dont know what other challenges that brings.. especially if it cant be treated locally and it has to possibly be addressed monthly..
Thank you again and again for your advice, support, and information. I cannot begin to fully convey how much its appreciated
Researching down the rabbit hole about all of this has definitely led to this theory. I dont know if this theory holds water or not.. but it seems a somewhat likely culprit. It is in ways like this having ADHD can help.. but also consume me
I read the link you posted many times and looked through qs much info as I can find on the subject. In some ways I hope this is the answer to the problem..then at least we would have ground to work from! in other ways I dont know what other challenges that brings.. especially if it cant be treated locally and it has to possibly be addressed monthly..
Thank you again and again for your advice, support, and information. I cannot begin to fully convey how much its appreciated
SHOP AMAZON