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Bilateral uveitis

Walking_in_Wheekland

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Location
Manchester, UK
Hi all,
My young sow (7 months), Jet has a cloudy eye that’s only developed in the last couple of days. She has been seen by a cavvy savvy vet today (Molly Varga’s practice in Manchester). The vet was brilliant and I am not questioning diagnosis here at all, just hoping to understand it all a bit more/hear from other owners experiences.

On first examination by the vet, it appeared as though this was a cataracts. However when her ocular pressure was taken she has low pressure in both eyes. It was worse on the side where the cloudiness is (right hand side). We were advised by the vet this is as a result of active infection/inflammation and usually in a systemic infection. We’ve been given antibiotics -Karidox and eye drops - Acular.

Luckily, she is well in herself. Eating, drinking, pooping, zooming around. Stable weight. We are going back in 2 weeks to see if the pressure has improved.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue?

Thanks so much,
Fran 😊
 
Hi
Unfortunately, that is a new one for me but diagnostics and information transfer from other species are constantly improving. Good on your vet for not just stopping with the cataracts and digging deeper.

Uveitis is an inflammation or infection that affects the middle layer of the eye between the antechamber and the eyeball itself. A bad hay poke or eye infection can sometimes penetrate into this area where normal antibiotic eye drops/gel won't reach and a vet has to resort to a generally stronger antibiotic.

Karidox is a brand name for doxycycline, so I would strongly recommend to have syringe feeding support, probiotics and ideally 2-3 times daily 3 ml of very, very freshly made life microbiome transfer ('poo soup') from a companion that is not on antibiotics or opioids because doxy has a nasty habit of knocking out the gut bacteria as well in guinea pigs. You will have to push past that.
Probiotics & Live Gut Microbiome Transfer ('Poo Soup'); Recovery Formula Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links and Transfer Recipe
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Acular is a non-antibiotic eye solution that is anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and helps with itchiness. Pull down the lower lid and aim the drops into the gap. It may be easier with two people, especially while the eye is still sore.

I hope that this makes more sense to you? Anyway, I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that the doxy will do the trick.
 
Hi
Unfortunately, that is a new one for me but diagnostics and information transfer from other species are constantly improving. Good on your vet for not just stopping with the cataracts and digging deeper.

Uveitis is an inflammation or infection that affects the middle layer of the eye between the antechamber and the eyeball itself. A bad hay poke or eye infection can sometimes penetrate into this area where normal antibiotic eye drops/gel won't reach and a vet has to resort to a generally stronger antibiotic.

Karidox is a brand name for doxycycline, so I would strongly recommend to have syringe feeding support, probiotics and ideally 2-3 times daily 3 ml of very, very freshly made life microbiome transfer ('poo soup') from a companion that is not on antibiotics or opioids because doxy has a nasty habit of knocking out the gut bacteria as well in guinea pigs. You will have to push past that.
Probiotics & Live Gut Microbiome Transfer ('Poo Soup'); Recovery Formula Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links and Transfer Recipe
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Acular is a non-antibiotic eye solution that is anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and helps with itchiness. Pull down the lower lid and aim the drops into the gap. It may be easier with two people, especially while the eye is still sore.

I hope that this makes more sense to you? Anyway, I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that the doxy will do the trick.
Thanks so much Wiebke!

Yeah, I thought that too about the vet digging deeper. She was brilliant. Even though Jet did her best dramatic performance during most of the consultation.

Thanks for explaining that it is Doxycycline, I didn’t realise this. That antibiotic is hard enough on human guts, so I'm really not surprised it can disrupt piggy’s systems! I’ve already got Fibreplex in so giving her a dose a little bit later, then I’ll administer the antibiotic. I’m waiting on a delivery of EmerAid and critical care that should be here a bit later today too. Trying to make sure I have everything! They do like to keep us on our toes don’t they!

I’ve attached a picture of her cloudy eye below.

Thank you 😊
 

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Fingers crossed that you don't need the critical care. My piggy has just been on doxy for a week and has been ok. So, it does depend on the piggy.

Hope that your piggy's eye improves quickly. If you ever need a second opinion from another vet, i can recommend Aiden at Ashleigh vets in Chorlton too. 🙂
 
Fingers crossed that you don't need the critical care. My piggy has just been on doxy for a week and has been ok. So, it does depend on the piggy.

Hope that your piggy's eye improves quickly. If you ever need a second opinion from another vet, i can recommend Aiden at Ashleigh vets in Chorlton too. 🙂
Thanks so much Yvonne! Fingers crossed, so far so good with the antibiotics!
 
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