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Concerns about Koffie's eye

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Danau

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Hello,
I've tried finding information on this subject on here, but can't seem to find the right description of what Koffie's problem is.

Koffie is a 2 year old sow. She has always had one slightly more bulgy left eye. However, in the last month or so, the eye has gradually started to bulge a lot more.
Her behaviour hasn't changed over the last few weeks (although she's gotten quite dominant in her current heat). The eye isn't cloudy or red and she can close it without difficulty. She still eats fine and seems as happy as she was before the eye started bulging this much.

I'm taking her to the vet this Wednesday to have it checked out, but I was wondering if anyone can give me an indication what it might be, just so I can be prepared.

I feel very guilty for not having taken her to the vet sooner, but because her eye has always been slightly bulgy and her behaviour hasn't changed, it took me a while to register what was happening.

I'm hoping someone recognises these symptoms and can tell me what it is.

Thank you,
Sophie and Koffie
 
My girl Sherbet suffered from eye problems for most of her life. She had cataracts in both eyes and her right eye used to bulge. The vet diagnosed glaucoma ( increase in pressure within the eye) This was diagnosed when she was about 18mths and I used to have to give 2xdaily eye drops (maxitrol I think). She passed away when she was nearly 5. It did worry me thinking that the pressure might get too much and the eye burst but the vet assured me this wouldn't happen. I would be interested to hear what the vet diagnoses on wednesday. Good luck for wednesday and piggy kisses from the girls for Koffie. xx
 
Thank you!

I hope Koffie's problem is nothing severe, I'd feel awful.
I made the big mistake of googling 'guinea pig bulgy eye'. Half the results tell me 'it's fine it's nothing' and the other half say 'she will have to have her eye removed'. That's the internet for you *sigh*
I'll post here once I know what's going on.
 
I've taken a picture of Koffie's eye, so people can see what I'm talking about.

295056366.jpg
 
Aww poor wee Koffie! I can't offer any advice but I just wanted to say that I hope Koffie's eye gets better soon, she's lovely!
 
I didn't use photobucket with the previous picture, so in case people can't see it:
IMG_0936.jpg
 
I would go to the vets and have her eye looked at for peace of mind.
You say it's gotten more pronounced?
When you go to the vets take Dolly along for company for Koffie :) i do this whenever i have to take my girl for her check up (she is a diabetic)
Good luck and let us know what they say
 
I've just returned from the vet.
Turns out Koffie has 'lens prolapse' or 'dead eye' and so is blind in her left eye. Vet said it was possible she's always had it and it's just currently a bit infected.

I am not completely assured about my vets treatment though.
I asked him to give them a general look over besides Koffie's eye. I also asked if he could cut their nails. He asked me why I wanted them cut. I told him that they were getting long and I found it tricky to do it myself. He said he usually didn't bother with cutting guinea's nails as it stresses them out and generally speaking the long nails don't cause them any troubles.
I'm not entirely convinced that that is the right attitude.

When I left the clinic I realised he hadn't even checked their teeth.

He also mentioned that 'everyone should have guinea pigs, because there's never anything wrong with them, they only ever get mites'.

Although I trust that the vets diagnosis of Koffie's eye is correct, I've not left feeling completely reassured that he is the most skilled vet out there.

Any thoughts on this?
 
Danau said:
I've just returned from the vet.
Turns out Koffie has 'lens prolapse' or 'dead eye' and so is blind in her left eye. Vet said it was possible she's always had it and it's just currently a bit infected.

I am not completely assured about my vets treatment though.
I asked him to give them a general look over besides Koffie's eye. I also asked if he could cut their nails. He asked me why I wanted them cut. I told him that they were getting long and I found it tricky to do it myself. He said he usually didn't bother with cutting guinea's nails as it stresses them out and generally speaking the long nails don't cause them any troubles.
I'm not entirely convinced that that is the right attitude.

When I left the clinic I realised he hadn't even checked their teeth.

He also mentioned that 'everyone should have guinea pigs, because there's never anything wrong with them, they only ever get mites'.

Although I trust that the vets diagnosis of Koffie's eye is correct, I've not left feeling completely reassured that he is the most skilled vet out there.

Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

I think it's more a case of people don't notice when they are ill and don't seek Vet treatment. I have 3 Guinea Pig's at the moment that are ill and have spent hundreds in Vet Bills so I would say your vet is incorrect and if anything they are the most difficult animals I have ever owned not to mention costly.

If you don't cut there nails they will adventurely go into there pads.

It's very important to find a Guinea Pig Savy vet, I learnt that the hard way!
 
Has he given you some treatment for Koffie's eye? I hope she feels better soon.

I think the general comments would be enough for me to find a more guinea pig savvy vet. Guinea pig nails can grow like corkscrews if they are neglected for a long time. Some piggies may not need their nails cut if they have access to a surface that naturally wears them down but most will need a trim every now and then. My pigs are kept indoors on fleece and hay and I have to cut their nails every 6-8 weeks.

I think Flintstones is right in that a lot of people just don't take their piggies to the vet when they are ill (or don't notice they are ill). My vet said that about 90% of guinea pig visits are due to mite infestations. However, their are many other conditions that require treatment.

If your vet's attitude doesn't sit right with you, then it's probably best to look elsewhere.
 
I'm definitely not returning to this vet for the care of the guinea pigs.
I have to say I've read in several books that guinea pigs don't need to be registered with a vet because they don't need vaccinations and they generally seem not to have many health problems.
As a scientist, I've always found this claim somewhat dubious. Surely all mammals are susceptible to disease or physical ailments?
I suppose what these books mean is that there are less guinea pig specific viruses, which seems to be true.


Koffie's eye has not received any treatment. According to vet the swelling was due to some irritation and if it doesn't seem to go down, then I need to come back. If the eye swelling gets very bad, they may need to take out her eye. The vet said that there was an option for him to reconstruct her eye, but it would be very traumatic surgery, not to mention very costly and in any case it won't restore her sight. And as she is not in any pain and doesn't have difficulty closing/hydrating her eye, he didn't seem reason to go through this procedure.

The more I think about it, the less it sits right with me.
The vet made it out that this was something that happened to guinea pigs quite often, so it'd be nice to speak to someone who has a GP with the same condition.
I'll go change the title of this thread, to find some second opinions.
 
This looks more like glaucoma? Did the vet check the pressure in your piggies eye? I'm not saying there wrong, but any swelling like this then the eye pressure should be checked. Maybe see a different vet like you say.

x.
 
Just had a look at the picture of Koffie's eye. Although Sherbet was a pew the eye looks almost identical to hers after she was diagnosed with glaucoma (previous reply). If it was my piggie I would be getting a second opinion.
 
The thing that's making me think the diagnosis of lens prolapse was correct, was the fact the doctor called over his apprentice to have a look and said it was an absolute classic case.

As I've said before, Koffie doesn't seem to be in any pain. Her behaviour hasn't changed at all.

I've looked through the list of 'cavvy savvy' vets, but can't seem to find any in the area (Brighton).

Before I go see another vet, I'd quite like to be sure that they know what they're talking about before I spend more money on a bad diagnosis.
 
I stupidly forgot that Marc the Vet (of 'my pet shame') is a friend of a friend. So I called him for advice and he's suggested another vet (Peter at Wilbury Vets), who is more rodent savvy I can go see, with discount on his recommendation.
I will let you know if I'm satisfied with his treatment.
 
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