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Hello, For the last couple of month, my5 year old
Sent to Pet Experts March 15 01:56 AM

Hello,
For the last couple of month, my5 year old guinea pig has not been defecating very well. He has been storing feces inside his rectum. These fesses turn into a ball and have a horrible odor. We have been squeezing his rectum area and pushing these balls out, but they are recurring. Also, last night, Buddy (guinea pig) was having a hard time walking, and kept leaning to the left when he walked. Also, his right eye is really jumpy. Sometimes the eye almost rolls into the back, but then comes back. He is not lifting his head up, but he is tilting it to the left along with the rest of his body. We love Buddy dearly and know that their life span is fairly short, but we are hopping there is something that can be done. Please help.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
March 15 4:12 PM (14 hours and 16 minutes and 25 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
There are several things that are going on with Buddy. First of all, the feces problem is called anal impaction. Many males who are not neutered get that when they are older as the muscles of the anus weaken and stretch. You are treating it exactly the way you should by removing the ball of feces. Having gone through this with one of my own guinea pigs, I agree about the odor. My way of dealing with it was to get one of those swimmer's nose plugs to wear while doing this.

The head tildt and coordination problem sound like an ear infection, although I'm not sure what the jumpy eye is from.

You definitely need to take Buddy to see a vet, preferably an exotic vet who is used to seeing guinea pigs.

For more information about Anal Impaction see:
http://guinealynx.info/impaction.html
For more information about Ear Infections see:
http://guinealynx.info/emergency.html#ear
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Susan Kollgaard -- Guinea Pig and Rabbit Rescue -- 100% Positive Feedback on 220 Pet Accepts
I work with Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue and the House Rabbit Society and House Rabbit Sanctuary.
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March 15 4:53 PM (40 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
Reply to Susan Kollgaard's Post: the info I was looking for was regarding the "jumpy eye". No information regarding that was given
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
March 15 5:45 PM (51 minutes and 54 seconds later)
         
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Dr. Amanda -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 75 Pet Accepts
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