Cataract?

[Hannah P.]

I've noticed recently that Ginger's right eye has quickly gotten milky, and I was wondering if it was a cataract. She isn't all that old for a pig, she's 3 years old, and this happened really fast. I know that could be a symptom of diabetes, but she hasn't shown any other signs. This eye has always stuck out a little more than the other and i can't tell if it's just me worrying or not but it seems to bulge out more than usual, and I've also noticed some eye discharge.


These pictured aren't the greatest but they're the best I could get with a squirmy pig.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

She needs to be seen by a vet - it is likely to be a hay poke .

 

[Wiebke]

I've noticed recently that Ginger's right eye has quickly gotten milky, and I was wondering if it was a cataract. She isn't all that old for a pig, she's 3 years old, and this happened really fast. I know that could be a symptom of diabetes, but she hasn't shown any other signs. This eye has always stuck out a little more than the other and i can't tell if it's just me worrying or not but it seems to bulge out more than usual, and I've also noticed some eye discharge.
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These pictured aren't the greatest but they're the best I could get with a squirmy pig.

Please have the eye seen by a vet tomorrow - any bulge, shrunken eye or potential eye injury is worrying and needs to be seen promptly. Your vet has the tools to determine what exactly is going on and to treat what is treatable.

PS: Cataracts can happen at any time in a piggy's life - at the most extreme even before birth. The ones that young guinea pigs develop are usually genetically determined and are called congenital cataracts. Old age cataracts are the most common. Cataracts caused by diabetes the least frequent, as diabetes is not quite as common as initially assumed; guinea pigs have a naturally high glucosamine level, which can vary somewhat. Sight is thankfully the least strongest sense that guinea pigs have (unlike us humans), so they can still enjoy a normal enriched life after a transition period. Their other senses will compensate.

 

[Hannah P.]

Thank you for your advice. I brought Ginger to the vet and she does have a cataract, and that's causing inflammation of the eye, and can also cause vulnerability to infection. I have two different drops to put in it now, one anti-inflammatory, another antibiotic to reduce the risk of infection. The vet also took blood to see if there's anything else, and the results will be back in a few days.

 

[Wiebke]

All the best!

I've had (and have) a number of cataract piggies with both congenital and old age cataracts. The transition period is the most difficult time when the other senses have not yet fully compensated and the cataract is coming on rather quickly. The other eye often goes within weeks or months, too. It is a pity that your cataract has caused an infection, which is not all that common.

Once adjusted, my cataract piggies can still free roam, cope with shallow ramps as long as they are well scent marked (I find an old piece of carpet works best for grip and scent retaining qualities) and they have no problems with rearrangements of furniture as long you do not deep clean them beforehand.
You may find this little story about my Mischief here comforting: Turning a blind eye on mischief - another piggy story

 

[Hannah P.]

You may find this little story about my Mischief here comforting: Turning a blind eye on mischief - another piggy story

Ginger is coping well, and roams about without an issue. That is a great story Wiekbe, and thank you for sharing it with me.

 

[TheLottiediarys]

Very glad it's being treated now!

My first Piggie Pan was blind in one eye from birth,
Losing the sight doesn't seem to bother them very much like Wiebke said!