Blind Piggy?

[brittanyyrae23]

Hello all -

I posted a few months back about rescuing a cute little Abysinnian. Since the rescue, she has grown immensely and seems to be a very happy pig. However, I've started to notice something strange about her left eye. It turns a greyish-blue color when a light reflects it. She seems to be quite jumpy at times, and will even nip at me if I try to touch her. She can usually be calmed down by the sound of my voice. Could these be signs of blindness, or something else?

 

[Julesie]

I'm not an expert at this but when I thought my piggie was blind, my vet did some tests. It's best to take her to the vet.

He also asked me to make him a little maze at home which I set up (out of videos xD ) and I set him inside it. He said if he can't walk through the maze with no problem he might be blind. He walked through it completely fine and had a fun time. I learnt he was not blind, he was just a bit slow at reacting. So I suggest taking her to the vet definitely but if you want to try the homemade maze to get a rough idea its a good idea. ^_^

I hope someone else more knowledgeable with blind piggies can give you proper advice.

 

[brittanyyrae23]

Hmm... interesting! I might have to try that! Thank you for the response. I just hope this isn't a threat to her health.

 

[Julesie]

You're welcome.

I hope someone else comes along soon who can help. =) I know a sort of film across the eye can indicate blindness... or cataracts? But again, I have no experience so don't want to give wrong advice.

 

[brittanyyrae23]

I read as much as a could about it, but it's still a bit unclear to me. It doesn't look like any sort of pus/discharge/film. It just looks like her eye is a different color when shone in the light.

 

[klee]

When did you notice the blue/grey colour? Sometimes this may be due to an eye injury and the eye ulcerating which can be painful, and possibly the cause of the nipping.
Any changes to the eyes should be checked out by a vet ASAP, to prevent further problems if it is an injury.

 

[Wiebke]

If the blue/grey is inside the eye, then it is a cataract (which grows from small dots) or nuclear sclerosis (which is an even opaqueness of the lens with pretty much the same result as a cataract). Abys seem to be particularly prone to developing congenital cataracts in early adulthood.

Thankfully, they learn to compensate with their other senses (smell, hearing, whiskers-touch) for it after a transition phase. Sight is not their strongest sense. Please have any potential cataract checked and confirmed by a vet.

If the blue is a layer on the outside of the eye ball, then you are dealing with an ulcerating injury, which needs to be seen and dealt with as soon as you can.

I have currently a group with three cataract sows and one very gentle "husboar" of their choice. They are roaming my living room floor the same as my other piggies. My six year old partially sighted Mali is still running and popcorning like she was 6 months old (if not quite as quickly anymore!).

http://www.guinealynx.info/eyes.html#cataracts
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...nd-eye-on-mischief-another-piggy-story.33420/

 

[brittanyyrae23]

I noticed about a week ago, and it only seemed to happen when the light hit her eye directly. It is now easier to see without a light shining on it.

Thank you for the links. From your description and the pictures, it looks like a cataract/nuclear sclerosis. It's good to know that she will be able to adjust either way. I would love to take her to the vet, but I'm not sure where to take her. I live in the U.S. and I'd love to find a knowledgeable doctor for my piggies. Glad to hear your piggies are doing great

 

[Wiebke]

Please be aware not to approach her or handle her from her blind side, especially when it gets worse - they usually feel very vulnerable. You will find that the other eye often goes within a few weeks of the first.

Make sure that you challenge your piggy - the more you do, the more active and confident she stays. My Mischief even learned to come to me across the lawn just by voice direction for going right (good girl! come on!) and going wrong (Uh, oh, oh). She could even find her way into the run (which had a flap) all by herself as long as I was standing next to the entrance without me touching her!

PS: with members from all over the world, you would help us a lot if you added your state to your details; that way we can give you appropriate advice, recommendations and links straight away. As you can imagine, things can differ quite a bit! click on your name on the top bar, then go to personal details/location.

PS2: Have you tried googling vets/exotics vets for your area/state?

 

[brittanyyrae23]

I can tell that she feels vulnerable I tried to take her from her cage, and she kept biting at me. I pointed a flashlight in both eyes to get a closer look... One pupil was red, and the other was grey. It's a shame that there's a chance of her going completely blind I haven't had her for long, so hopefully she will warm up to me and things will get easier for the both of us.

I'd like to try the maze idea posted above ^^ I'd be open to other ideas as well, since its much too cold to take her outside.

Okay, I'll update my information straight away!

I have google it multiple times, but the website I found were very vague. I could always call each vet, but I'd like to be sure that I'm getting quality service for my piggies first.

 

[Wiebke]

Perhaps if you asked our other members from your state for recommendations/info? I think we have a couple more. You should now be enabled to send messages via your inbox on the top right.