Possible Stroke

Question
Hi Anngela,
I have had my guinea pig Whiskey for almost 5 years.  The past week she has been acting really funny- not coming out of her cage to see us, not making a lot of noise, not eating as much, and not drinking hardly at all.  Over the weekend we noticed that she cannot use or move the left side of body at all.  She is able to walk, but just drags the left side.  Also, her left eye doesn't look very good.  In the past few days she has started to eat a little more, but still isn't drinking much.  When I hold her she rolls completely over on her side because she can't hold her self up.  When she eats she kind of props herself against the side of the cage so that she is able to stand.
I'm so worried about her.  I searched on the internet and it seems like she has all of the syptoms of a guinea pig stroke.  Do you think this is correct?  If so, is she in a lot of pain?  What should I do?  I know I probably should take her to a vet, but I don't know a good small animal vet in my area and the last guinea pig I took to our local vet died the day after they treated her.  
Any ideas or advice you can offer me would be very much appreciated.

Thank you so much for your time.
Amy  

Answer
Hi Amy.  Unfortunately, it sounds like a stroke to me as well.  More than likely she is not in any pain, because there is nerve damage from the stroke.  Unfortunately, with only have her body working, the right side of her brain has been damaged.  Try to do whatever you can to get her to eat, she needs fluids and calories in her.  Try to sprinkle some water and sugar on her favorite veggie to entice her, or some karo syrup, etc.  If she can't eat/drink I'm not sure there is much you can do for her.  Make sure she can reach the food and water without having to move.  Try to pinch the toes (don't break them) and see if she feels any pain at all.  If she does, then maybe it wasn't a stroke, or not a very severe one.  Maybe call the vet you went to last time, and tell him you can't make it in and what his advice.  I do understand your not wanting to go back there.  
I hope some of this helps!
Anngela