Are steroid eye drops safe for guinea pigs

[Bsym]

My one and a half year old boar Ivor has had an eye problem (enlarged conjunctival tissue) all his life, we have have many vet visits for ?infection, he is currently on antibiotic cream, for the past month and recently a new vet suggested steroid drops to bring down the inflammation. Warning bells have gone off in my head about this and I am considering another vet as my vets do not have the extra small animal qualification (the one that did has just left, she knew her stuff with the pigs). Has anyone experience of using steroid eyedrops successfully? Perhaps I am panicking without reason.

 

[Wiebke]

My one and a half year old boar Ivor has had an eye problem (enlarged conjunctival tissue) all his life, we have have many vet visits for ?infection, he is currently on antibiotic cream, for the past month and recently a new vet suggested steroid drops to bring down the inflammation. Warning bells have gone off in my head about this and I am considering another vet as my vets do not have the extra small animal qualification (the one that did has just left, she knew her stuff with the pigs). Has anyone experience of using steroid eyedrops successfully? Perhaps I am panicking without reason.

Use of topical (i.e. outside application) of steroids in rodents is an area that is still under discussion between vets as it is not the same as a 'pick me up' steroid injection by an emergency vet.

I have used prescribed steroid eye drops for my own piggies successfully and without any ill effect; in this case for a nasty eye infection which had penetrated deeper quickly and was slow to clear.

While steroids should generally be avoided, there are some areas and cases where the benefits can outweigh the disadvantages; it is never quite that straight forward when it comes to veterinary medicine.
As long as your vet is taking this considered approach, then there is nothing wrong with it as they will have done this weighing up before prescribing. Personally, I'd have a careful general vet anytime over a disinterested exotics vets for whom piggies are too common place!
Conjunctivitis or issues with the conjunctiva can unfortunately be hard to treat.

 

[VickiA]

I’ve also had steroid eye drops prescribed for one of my past piggies with a nasty conjunctival problem. We used them with no problem.

 

[Bsym]

Use of topical (i.e. outside application) of steroids in rodents is an area that is still under discussion between vets as it is not the same as a 'pick me up' steroid injection by an emergency vet.

I have used prescribed steroid eye drops for my own piggies successfully and without any ill effect; in this case for a nasty eye infection which had penetrated deeper quickly and was slow to clear.

While steroids should generally be avoided, there are some areas and cases where the benefits can outweigh the disadvantages; it is never quite that straight forward when it comes to veterinary medicine.
As long as your vet is taking this considered approach, then there is nothing wrong with it as they will have done this weighing up before prescribing. Personally, I'd have a careful general vet anytime over a disinterested exotics vets for whom piggies are too common place!
Conjunctivitis or issues with the conjunctiva can unfortunately be hard to treat.

Many thanks, that is reassuring, I just heard steroid and panicked. I think the vet is trying them to see if they do reduce the inflammation, so that if it flares up again it is something we can use. She said to use them for one week and she will review.

 

[Bsym]

I’ve also had steroid eye drops prescribed for one of my past piggies with a nasty conjunctival problem. We used them with no problem.

 

[Bsym]

Many thanks, I feel more reassured, the vet said possible side effects can be ulceration as they can make the eye more vulnerable to injury (but not sure if that is with long term use). I think these are more to get inflammation down when it flares up, I am to use them for one week then she will review.

 

[Lesley OB]

Steroid eye drops blinded my guinea pig, prescribed by exotic vet without explanation of risks. I'm devastated. We're adjusting to new ways of doing things with just one eye, while we continue to pray.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Steroid eye drops blinded my guinea pig, prescribed by exotic vet without explanation of risks. I'm devastated. We're adjusting to new ways of doing things with just one eye, while we continue to pray.

I’m so sorry to hear this.

If you would like advice, please could you start your own thread as the thread you have commented on is 6 years old