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Alby's White Bit In His Eye.

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I am going to take both g pigs to the vet when they have settled a bit. But this is the white bit in alby's eye. It's a chalk white colour. They had a big stick in their cage when I got them on Monday. It had spiked bits on it about 2 inches long. I don't know if that has stabbed him in the eye or something or if it's the eye disease he's got that's to do with calcium build up. (Can't remember the name offhand) it doesn't seem to be affecting him an his eye isn't red at all.
 
Some pigs can get a calcium deposit in the eye and it doesn't cause any problems but obviously I don't know for sure if that's what it is. Good luck at the vets :D
 
Sorry, I can't say from that picture and without having a good look at it. If depends on whether the white spot is inside or on top of the eye. Inside would be likely a cataract. Outside it could be a calcium or (rare) fatty deposit. It seems rather unlikely that it is an ulcer.

Good that you are having it checked out by a vet!
 
It's too white looking and chalky to be a cataract. I have seen a cataract on a dog and it doesn't look like this. I think it looks as if it's on the top of the eye. Probably a calcium thing, the vets will probably know.
 
Alby was at the vets today. (I can't remember what she said about the bit around the outside of his eye) lol but I have not to worry and just keep an eye on him. She says the bit in the middle is a cataract possibly he has had this since birth. (I said possible inbred g pig and vet nodded) oh well all there is to do now is love him and keep an eye on him.
 
If it is any consolation to you, I have several cataract piggies, and they have a perfectly happy normal life with roaming on the living floor and trips to the run on the lawn. Mine even have a shallow carpet lined ramp in their cage with a low rails that they have scent marked, so no accidents!
 
Thanks. He seems happy and probably has never had it so good.

She did mention he was a bit tubby. Lol. Poor Alby.
 
Update.......tonight when I went to put out the light in the pigs room I noticed that the white bit in Albys eye has a slight pinkish tinge to it. :( so so worried. The rest of the eye looks ok (well the same as it was before) and he appears to be in good health apart from this.
 
Please have him seen by a vet. I could be an ulcerating eye poke if the white spot is on the outside. They tend to heal pretty quickly with the right eye drops. ;)

If the spot inside the eye, then it is nuclear sclerosis or a cataract, i.e. the lens going opaque and there is sadly no operation for that condition for guinea pigs. However, having and having had a number of cataract piggies, they can still lead a happy normal life.
 
I'm glad it wasn't something absolutely awful! Both of my older piggies (5-6 years) have a white bit on the upper part of their eye that I was freaking out about but the vet told me that it was normal in older pigs! It wasn't cataracts- I can't for the life of me remember what it was called lol!
 
It's inside the eye. I will take him to vet tomorrow. :( however I am not hopeful they will do anything for him. The vet did say it was probably a cataract when she saw the white bit the last time.
 
Julie M said:
It's inside the eye. I will take him to vet tomorrow. :( however I am not hopeful they will do anything for him. The vet did say it was probably a cataract when she saw the white bit the last time.
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There is sadly nothing a vet can do about a cataract as things stand.

Some cataracts can come on quite quickly, and are more difficult for the piggies to adapt to. Thankfully, eyesight is not their strongest sense. You can teach him some protocol now, like for approaching him and picking him up etc. so it is in place when things get worse. Unfortunately, the other eye often follows suit within a few weeks or months.

Here is a story about a past cataract piggy of mine that will hopefully cheer you up; after a transitional period, Missy was able to free roam the garden as usual and to even turn herself back into her run just by following my voice directing her, as long as I was standing next to the entrance: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...nd-eye-on-mischief-another-piggy-story.33420/
 
Aww a lovely story and you have lovely happy piggies . You should make it into a book. I am still not sure if it is actually a cataract Alby has as it looks like a chalky type texture in his eye. He had it when I got him 6 months ago today. And I don't know how long he had it before I got him. (Uncaring old owners)
 
Aww poor Alby! Hopefully it won't get any worse, and he has a fantastic piggy mom to look after him :)
 
Strangely it is back to its white colour this morning. Weird! image.webp
 
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