Fur Kids Foundation 2018 Success Story: Twitch

Meet Twitch! This adorable little guy is a 1 to 2 year-old Guinea Pig.

When Twitch's parent adopted her, she had a head tilt that was caused by an ear infection that had been left untreated. It was a serious infection, and she'll always have a permanent head tilt. When her mom noticed her other ear had black gunk in it, she was worried that Twitch had another ear infection so she took her to the vet right away. The vet confirmed that Twitch did in fact have an ear infection.

If the ear infections spread from the middle ear to the inner ear, it can become quite serious; therefore, if you suspect an ear infection in your guinea pig, seek veterinary care immediately. If a guinea pig has an ear infection, they may show the following signs:

• Pus or discharge from the ears
• Ear pain
• Loss of hearing
• Deafness
• Also, if the infection spreads from the guinea pig's middle ear to its inner ear, your pet may display problems with its nervous system, such as walking in circles, rolling on the ground, head tilting, and a lack of balance.

According to PetMD, “maintaining a clean and sanitized living environment for your guinea pig will help reduce the levels of infectious organisms in your home, and thus help prevent ear infections from occurring.”

Twitch's family is a household of four with only one income. Her mom has applied for disability twice, and has been denied both times. They couldn't afford an unexpected visit, so they applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help.  
While at the vet, Twitch’s family was given some medicine to help knock out the infection. Twitch will have a follow up visit to make sure the infection is completely cleared, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Fur Kids Foundation is grateful for the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who have helped local families stay happy and healthy, and together! If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families in Campbell County, Wyoming with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.

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