Guinea Pig Ear Infection

Well-cared for guinea pigs can live on average between five and seven years. Ear infections are rarely seen in this species but can be brought on by bacterial infections or respiratory diseases like pneumonia. Observant guinea pig owners will notice certain behaviors that might indicate an ear problem, like a head tilt. Once detected, prompt veterinary care is required.

  1. Identification

    • Guinea pigs obviously can't tell their owners when something is troubling their ears. However, they will exhibit certain behaviors that are highly indicative of an ear infection. Some of the most common symptoms of ear infections include ear pain, pus or other types of discharge from the ears, deafness or a noticeable loss of hearing, according to the Pet MD website.

    Significance

    • What starts out as a mild infection of the inner ear can rapidly advance into a serious middle ear infection that can cause the guinea pig great pain if not treated promptly. Similar to humans, middle ear infections will impede the animal's equilibrium and affect its central nervous system, causing it to lose its balance easily, walk in circles or constantly tilt its head to one side.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Like most small mammals, guinea pigs are more susceptible to certain illnesses when they are kept in unclean and stressful environments. The best way to maintain optimal guinea pig health is to keep its cage clean via frequent bedding changes and to keep the animals out of drafts and direct sunlight and away from constant loud noises. Once an ear infection has been diagnosed, veterinarians will suggest a prescription-only antibiotic treatment that can be administered either orally or topically.

    Considerations

    • Guinea pigs can also become infested with ear mites, which are small parasites that attack the animal by biting and piercing the skin around its ear. These parasites can irritate the ear canals and cause bacterial infections that may move into the inner ear, according to Guinea Lynx. A guinea pig bothered by mites will often scratch its ears and shake its head excessively and also display crusty lesions around the ears.

    Expert Insight

    • According to the Guinea Lynx website, guinea pigs require prompt veterinary attention whenever an illness is present, including an ear infection. Because they are prey animals, they tend to hide illness until it is well advanced, making fast treatment the only chance for recovery. They should be seen by a veterinarian that specializes in exotic animal care, which includes any species other than a dog or cat.