Eye And Weight Concern

[Lewis&Clark]

About 3 weeks ago I took Lewis to the vest his eye was producing white goop and he seemed a but skinny to me. The vet diagnosed him with conjunctivitis and assured me that his weight was fine. I have been putting saline drops in his eye 3 times a day since the vet visit. It has opened up a bit more but I've notice some crust forming on his eye and dripping down into his fur. He seems to be enjoying more time hiding in his house than normal but outside of the cage he is as inquisitive as he usually is. I'm really worried about his weight. He seems to be eating a lot. Today I noticed he's been eating pellets non stop. Is it normal for pigs to loose weight because of an eye problem or should I be more concerned?

 

[biscandmatt]

weight loss is often the first sign of a piggy being unwell, so yes, it is most likely because of his eye. were you given any antibiotics or anti-inflammatory pain relief to administer? some will use medications orally alongside drops and others may use different drops to cover these things instead, it depends on the vet and the exact problem.

but certainly conjunctivitis will be uncomfortable at the very least so i'd advise seeing the vet again if nothing but saline drops were given as these won't help the actual infection.

there is a vet locator at the top of the page to help locate your nearest piggy-savvy vet if you'd like to get a second opinion. eye issues can quickly become serious so please go straight back if you are at all concerned. best of luck

 

[Lewis&Clark]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm going to take him back Monday. They only said to use saline solution. Today his eye is more open but the color looks off and I've noticed some red to the mucus it's producing. I'm worried and I may not have used enough saline when I've been washing his eye out the past 2 weeks because the vet said to use only a few drops. I've been really rinsing it out with more saline the past few days. So I'm worried that I made it worse by not taking care of it properly within the first 2 weeks.

 

[Rachel_C_91]

Hello! I need some advice with my poor hurt piggy Hedwig! I noticed this morning the skin around her eye was shocking red (she is completely white so this was so scary) and noticed a white film/blob covering on her eye. Immediately I rang around to two local vets (Saturday afternoon and one was not open and the other did not see guinea pigs!) I immediately could see poor Hedwig had a scratch on her eye! (She is my third guinea pig and this is the first scratch, I dont know what caused it, she is 12 weeks old and I've had her since she was 4 weeks old with my older guinea pig, 7 month old Pisky) Pisky sometimes kicks her and Hedwig squeals. Maybe some nips but gentle ones because Hedwig is so loud and rambunctious and pisky is a chubby and older Abyssinian and so relaxed. ANYWAY! I took her to the vet, vet says her eye is completely damaged and will have to be removed in two days time but there is a threat because she is so small that she might not wake up after the anesthesia. She gave me drops (only once a day and they are cat and rabbit eyedrops > and I'm so worried and decided to book a check up this wednesday instead of monday to try and let the eye heal itself. I'm not sure if this vet has much experience with guineas, and after some reading of forums, it seems that alot of piggies that have scratches with outer blue clouding heel within a few weeks. I have Hedwig nestled up in towels and have her treats in a box with her (didnt want to leave her in the hutch as there is straw there and a storm tonight, even though they get covered with three beach towels and a duvet each night ) Do you think her eye will heal? Do you think I will need to get it removed. I am making sure she is getting water and I'm sitting up at 4.15 am keeping her company. I can upload a picture if needed. She is drinking and eating, but sometimes she closes her eyes over, also she is not vocal, and usually she whistles about 3/4 times an hour, runs EVERYWHERE and makes constant noises to herself, so I know my poor sweetie is sick, but I dont want to have to put her through an operation, especially if it is something that can be treated and healed with the appropriate care

 

[biscandmatt]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm going to take him back Monday. They only said to use saline solution. Today his eye is more open but the color looks off and I've noticed some red to the mucus it's producing. I'm worried and I may not have used enough saline when I've been washing his eye out the past 2 weeks because the vet said to use only a few drops. I've been really rinsing it out with more saline the past few days. So I'm worried that I made it worse by not taking care of it properly within the first 2 weeks.

you were just following the vet instructions so don't be too hard on yourself. not all vets are what we call 'piggy-savvy' so treatment and advice tends to be incorrect and unclear sometimes. the red mucus does sound concerning though so i really would advise finding a more savvy vet to treat now, especially as you are two weeks on with when this started.

if the vet locator above doesn't show anyone near to you, or travelling is not an option then post again and maybe let us know whereabouts you are and see if anyone can advise or help any further.

 

[biscandmatt]

Hello! I need some advice with my poor hurt piggy Hedwig! I noticed this morning the skin around her eye was shocking red (she is completely white so this was so scary) and noticed a white film/blob covering on her eye. Immediately I rang around to two local vets (Saturday afternoon and one was not open and the other did not see guinea pigs!) I immediately could see poor Hedwig had a scratch on her eye! (She is my third guinea pig and this is the first scratch, I dont know what caused it, she is 12 weeks old and I've had her since she was 4 weeks old with my older guinea pig, 7 month old Pisky) Pisky sometimes kicks her and Hedwig squeals. Maybe some nips but gentle ones because Hedwig is so loud and rambunctious and pisky is a chubby and older Abyssinian and so relaxed. ANYWAY! I took her to the vet, vet says her eye is completely damaged and will have to be removed in two days time but there is a threat because she is so small that she might not wake up after the anesthesia. She gave me drops (only once a day and they are cat and rabbit eyedrops > and I'm so worried and decided to book a check up this wednesday instead of monday to try and let the eye heal itself. I'm not sure if this vet has much experience with guineas, and after some reading of forums, it seems that alot of piggies that have scratches with outer blue clouding heel within a few weeks. I have Hedwig nestled up in towels and have her treats in a box with her (didnt want to leave her in the hutch as there is straw there and a storm tonight, even though they get covered with three beach towels and a duvet each night ) Do you think her eye will heal? Do you think I will need to get it removed. I am making sure she is getting water and I'm sitting up at 4.15 am keeping her company. I can upload a picture if needed. She is drinking and eating, but sometimes she closes her eyes over, also she is not vocal, and usually she whistles about 3/4 times an hour, runs EVERYWHERE and makes constant noises to herself, so I know my poor sweetie is sick, but I dont want to have to put her through an operation, especially if it is something that can be treated and healed with the appropriate care

hi, sorry to hear about your guinea pigs eye and how worried you are. it might be best to start a new thread about your piggy so more people see it and can advise. generally eyes can be removed successfully and the piggy will do well without the eye. there is a risk with any anaesthetic however the risks are still small in the hands of a competent vet. if the local vets will not remove the eye for another two days anyway then you have time if you'd like to locate a more savvy vet. the vet locator at the top of the page may help you. if the eye is very damaged then it can be as much of a risk to leave it as it then will lead to more complications, so if the more savvy vet also recommends removing the eye then i would think it is probably for the best. anyway, post a new thread and hopefully you will receive more advice

 

[Lewis&Clark]

I'm sorry about Hedwig and on a different note he has a cool name. I took Lewis back to the vet they said something must have scratched it more and he has lost sight in it. He recommended letting it dry up and shrink and give him some antibiotics so that it nothing spreads and creates more complications. The vet said that taking it out surgically would look better but be more stressful so I'm opting to leave it in. So if the eye isn't infected too much I guess its ok to leave the eye in than get it taken out is that right? Anyone have advice on raising a half blind Guinea pig?

 

[biscandmatt]

I'm sorry about Hedwig and on a different note he has a cool name. I took Lewis back to the vet they said something must have scratched it more and he has lost sight in it. He recommended letting it dry up and shrink and give him some antibiotics so that it nothing spreads and creates more complications. The vet said that taking it out surgically would look better but be more stressful so I'm opting to leave it in. So if the eye isn't infected too much I guess its ok to leave the eye in than get it taken out is that right? Anyone have advice on raising a half blind Guinea pig?

i'd see how they antibiotics course goes first and reassess. piggy may also need some form of anti-inflammatory aswell for best results (and for comfort) - something like metacam is usually the one given.

you always have the option to ask your vet to consult with a more experienced vet. they will usually always have access to a more specialist vets for referrals so this is something else available to you if needed.

i hope the antibiotics kick in soon and things improve. with these, you want to be seeing improvement quite quickly if they are working as they should be, so if things aren't improving after a couple of days then you need to go back again. obviously go back sooner if things get worse within these first couple of days aswell.

some antibiotics can cause a bit of a tummy upset aswell so a probiotic can offer additional support. avipro plus is a good one but there is one called pro-c which is more widely available. again, go back to the vet if your little ones appetite and/or pooping habits change. best of luck

 

[Courtneyyyleex]

I have a piggy that is under weight, he has been since I've had him and I noticed he was continuing to lose weight. One thing that has really helped my pig is porridge made with water. You can give them just oats but my piggy prefers porridge (I swear it's because he knows it would be easier for me just to put some oats in his bowl than make him porridge) but it's he has already put on a bit of weight and I really recommend it