Conjunctiva Growth In 2 Year Old Sow.

[Catherine Johnson]

I haven't posted for a long time but one of my guineas has developed a small growth in the corner of her eye. It was very red when first seen on Saturday but it has lightened to a pale pink today. We saw a vet this morning who advised I take her to a specialist saying she had a conjunctival growth. She also has a white flecks in the same eye. See photo.
Dilly isn't quite 2 years old and has developed cataracts too.
Has anyone had a guinea pig with a similar ailment?

 

[VickiA]

Hi there, my Mr Ted has had similar -overgrowth of conjunctival cells. He has been under the care of our vet (exotics specialist) for well over a year now. She got it under control with antihistamine drops and diluted steroid drops but he has flare ups and needs drops regularly. The vet believes it is caused by allergy (having excluded everything else) but no idea why just one eye is affected. Most of time now he's ok but it does suddenly get sore.
Your poor piggy's eye looks sore. Has your vet told you where to take her for specialist investigations/treatment?

 

[Wiebke]

View attachment 35567 I haven't posted for a long time but one of my guineas has developed a small growth in the corner of her eye. It was very red when first seen on Saturday but it has lightened to a pale pink today. We saw a vet this morning who advised I take her to a specialist saying she had a conjunctival growth. She also has a white flecks in the same eye. See photo.
Dilly isn't quite 2 years old and has developed cataracts too.
Has anyone had a guinea pig with a similar ailment?

Cataracts in younger guinea pigs, which typically develop during the first two years of a piggy's life are called "congenital cataracts". That means that a guinea pig is born with the genetic disposition to develop them. At the extreme, a guinea pig can already be born with them, but most often, they come on during the second year. I have had a few cataract piggies; they adapt and can still enjoy a full and normal life, including free roaming, ramps, popcorns and even running around (which my nearly eight year old Mali did until two days before she passed away despite it being an arthritic waddle and she had to literally follw her own scent spoor in a loop).
You may find these two threads here comforting:
Turning a blind eye on mischief - another piggy story

The conjunctiva growth could be caused by a minor irritation. If it cannot be medically controlled, it shouldn't be a major operation, but it is a bit fiddly, hence why your vet is not keen on it.

 

[Catherine Johnson]

Thank you for your kind messages. This evening, Dilly's eye is much better with the growth almost disappearing/shrinking back under the eyelid. I am supposed to be taking her to a vet called John Goodyear in Burton on Trent. Do you think I should cancel now it's improved so much? Dilly is eating well and is otherwise fine.

 

[VickiA]

I'd still go for the second opinion (but that's me) then you'll know what to do/ ask for if and when it happens again. It's such a relief when the conjunctiva goes back down, but be warned it could flare up again !

 

[Claire W]

My Enoch suffers from a similar problem. His tends to flare up with dusty hay.

My vet however *thinks* that some of his problem could have been caused by an untreated eye injury from before he came to me but we'll never know,

Anyway, during major flare ups, he has a course of eye drops that seems to do the trick. I always keep a bottle in just in case (recommended by my vet) but please get a firm diagnosis from your vet first.

As for the white specks, I'm afraid I have no experience with that.

 

[Catherine Johnson]

Well, I took Dilly to the eye specialist this morning and he said the small growth was the least of her worries! Dilly has a form of uveitis, which means that the protein from the lens in her eye is leaking into her iris and causing haemorrhaging and inflammation. He has confirmed that she is blind and has cataracts as well. Luckily, it's not life limiting but is 'uncomfortable' and the vet prescribed meloxicam. He can't tell me if Dilly's offspring will suffer the same problem so will need to keep an eye (pardon the pun) on them. Gutted for Dilly but pleased we don't have to say goodbye.

 

[VickiA]

Oh my word, not what you were expecting. Poor Dilly. However it's always best to know what you're dealing with, and that it's not life shortening. I hope you are ok x

 

[Freela]

Poor Dilly! It's hard dealing with chronic conditions. However, now you have more knowledge, some pain meds to make her more comfortable, and the 'good' news is that it won't shorten her lifespan. I've had pets go blind and still live very normal lives, so it's amazing how quickly they adapt!

 

[Catherine Johnson]

Just a quick update on Dilly. She's 4 days into her medicine and the swelling has gone completely. Although her sight is gone she's her lovely self and is managing fine. Thank you all for your messages. X