|
Post by kellyb on Dec 19, 2010 16:29:57 GMT
I have a question about Toffee. Sometimes she will stare off into space and we can wave our hand in front of her and even pat her and she doesn't move or blink. She has done this since she was very young and have always wondered what's going on. It only lasts about 10-30 seconds and once she snaps out of it she seems totally normal. So we've never thought too much about it. Last night she had a longer period of being "zoned out". I waved my hand - nothing. I scratched her ears and gave her a gentle wiggle to see if she'd react - nothing. A coule seconds later Oreo ran down the ramp and it made a noise and Toffee looked over to see what it was - totally normal. Can guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open? Or could this be something more like a silent seizure? My husband wanted me to ask you guys and get your opinion after her little episode last night.
|
|
|
Post by Kayleigh on Dec 19, 2010 17:10:11 GMT
Guinea pigs in general have their eyes open most of the time, they tend to sleep with their eyes open or some may close them a little. Im not sure why she wouldnt move if you touch her though. One of my sows had a seizure but it was very obvious thats what it was as she spread her body out and rolled over slightly and just lay there as if dead. It was frightening. After a few seconds she shook her head and got up and was fine.
It could just be that she trusts you and doesnt feel the need to run away when touched.
If in doubt you could seek vet advise but im not sure theres much they can do with regards to piggie seizures.
|
|
|
Post by lyndor on Jan 6, 2011 14:23:30 GMT
There's a wide vairety of seizure types in humans that people wouldn't even think of - seizures can vary from inappropriately touching themselves to full on generalised seizure that everyone knows about -- if your piggy is having seizures as you suspect -- then it sounds like the piggy equivilent of an absense seizure. In humans, this type of seizure involves both half of the brain and is described as a "brief loss of consciousness".
Often this type of seizure goes undiagnosed in children as it's written off as poor attention span.
Reference -- Children and young people's nursing Oxford hand book by Glasper et al. 2006
A condition like this -- I would take the piggy to the vet, have it fully diagnosed and such.
Does she continue to breathe in these periods?
|
|
|
Post by kellyb on Jan 6, 2011 22:24:41 GMT
She hasn't done it that I've seen in a while. Next time I see her do it, I'll see if she's breathing. Thanks for the info!
|
|