New owner, medical advice needed: Possible ear infection and recovery timeframe

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goldcoastcavis

Post   » Tue Jan 15, 2019 7:29 pm


Hi, new owner here. Long story coming up:

We rescued a pair of Guinea pigs from a rescue agency approximately 6 weeks ago. Two weeks prior to the adoption, they were found wandering the streets of a suburban town. We have no idea how old they are or what potential health issues there may be. And we are new owners (our first cavis.)

About 18 days ago, we noticed a head tilt on one of the rescues, and a stumble to her right side like her rear leg gave out. For the sake of continuity of care, we went to the vet who originally did the physical of the two cavis once they were rescued. Vet made the diagnosis of an inner ear infection, and put her on the treatment of enfrofloxacin, meloxicam and a probiotic. We also moved her to a separate enclosure away from her sister. That combination caused lethargy and loss of appetite for the cavi, dropping her weight 50g. The vet then added simethicone, metoclopramide and ear drops. We then started Critical Care, but didn't have any success and she refused syringe feeding. Continued loss of appetite and lethargy.

We got better at restraining the poor girl in a cavi burrito around 5 days ago, and doubled the vet-suggested dosage of Critical Care to the 3Tbsp/kg. Her weight went from 815g to 695g through this entire process, and her weight is on the rise (this morning now at 720g.) More importantly, she is producing output that is looking somewhat normal, albeit a reduced amount. Her appetite seems a bit better - she looks like she's gone from nibbling on things during her ailment to snacking. She remains alert, and still fights us when we feed her. She also makes sounds intermittently, but not the happy wheek wheek sounds she used to. The head tilt remains but seems slightly better, and she is still stumbling but stumbling less (she falls over when she gets excited but is able to walk around better than she used to.) She has always been shy and reserved since we got her, and she spends her days hiding in the corner and occasionally venturing out to look for snacks and for feedings. She still makes odd head movements when eating food, like sniffing and jerking her head back several times when she encounters food. Her chewing sounds different.

So, here are my questions:
1) It's been 16 days since we started the original abx treatment. How long can we expect treatment to go on for? I've read up to 4-6 weeks, but am not sure if that meshes with your experience.
2) We are concerned about her appetite. We feel that it's slowly getting better and she's showing more interest in food. Is that because she's getting calorie intake from the Critical Care and thus feels more energetic, or is her gut tolerating the antibiotics better?
3) Is it possible she had a neurological issue that's not an inner ear infection, and that her weight loss was due to the meds?
4) When can we reunite the cavis? We let them visit for a few minutes yesterday and they both got excited and made happy sounds and sniffed each other through the cage. When we reunite them, are there any steps we should take?
5) Can anyone suggest a good cavi vet in Chicago?
6) How should we be handling the Critical Care supplement? Should we taper off? Keep going until we get her weight back to normal?

We're committed to do whatever it takes and costs to get her well, but I'd be lying if I said that it didn't feel like this came at a cost psychologically.

Thanks in advance.

bpatters
And got the T-shirt

Post   » Tue Jan 15, 2019 7:46 pm


Thanks for taking them in.

As far as putting them together, I never would have separated them. They've both been thoroughly exposed, the stress of being separated can make them worse, and guinea pigs rarely catch anything from one another anyway. Separation is a recommendation from a vet who doesn't know how separation affects guinea pigs. I don't think it's necessary unless the illness is really contagious and life-threatening.

You'll have to do full introductions when you put them back together. See https://guinea-pigs.livejournal.com/3002707.html.

Her appetite will be affected as long as she's on antibiotics, and for a few days afterward. Keep feeding the Critical Care -- having food moving through their gut regularly is critically important, and can mean the difference between life and death. You can stop when her appetite picks up again.

It's possible that the head tilt was a neurological issue, but there's no way to know. It may resolve, it may not. But it's not likely to bother her.

Here's the vet list for Illinois. You should be able to find someone there.


goldcoastcavis

Post   » Sun Jan 27, 2019 9:18 pm


Status update: Pig (Paige) is up to 740g and her head tilt is almost imperceptible. She has been reunited with her sister, Elizabeth, who has her own current medical issues (see new post.) We think she is out of the woods. For now. Thank you all for your help and moral support.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:24 pm


Good news!

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