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Eye problem?

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Bubble64

Junior Guinea Pig
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SonI recently (5 days ago) I brought home 2 new young guinea pigs, Rocco and Reggie. They have been settling in absolutely brilliantly. However, today I noticed something wrong with Reggie's eye. It is red around the edge skin, slightly closed, and has some slight discharge. His eye isn't cloudy making me think that it wasn't a hay poke. I'm going to book an appointment and register them both with the vets as soon as they open tomorrow but I am quite concerned to have to deal with an injury/health problem after only just bringing them home. Any ideas what this could be?
 
Bubble64 said:
SonI recently (5 days ago) I brought home 2 new young guinea pigs, Rocco and Reggie. They have been settling in absolutely brilliantly. However, today I noticed something wrong with Reggie's eye. It is red around the edge skin, slightly closed, and has some slight discharge. His eye isn't cloudy making me think that it wasn't a hay poke. I'm going to book an appointment and register them both with the vets as soon as they open tomorrow but I am quite concerned to have to deal with an injury/health problem after only just bringing them home. Any ideas what this could be?
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Hello what a shame you’re having to deal with Reggie’s poorly eye
You are doing the right thing taking him to the Vet to be checked
It could be lots of things ….so a Vet can prescribe the right treatment
Good luck and let us know how Reggie gets on 🥰
 
Depending where you got the boys from you might be able to claim any Vet expenses back
( especially if it was Pets at Home)
And of course depends what the diagnosis is
I’d get a print out of diagnosis / treatment and cost just in case.
 
Thank you. Our vet was brilliant as his main focus is treating guinea pigs. There was no obvious eye injury, so he said it was an infection. Which sadly means that it could have spread to Rocco too and we started to see Rocco's eye closing too. So they are now on eye drops twice a day and antibiotics once a day for 2 weeks and then a check up appointment in 2 weeks. So now I am hoping for the best for Rocco and Reggie! I'm just very worried about their confidence because handling has been going brilliantly as they have only been with me for 5 days, however after this vet appointment and because handling will become medicine time I'm worried about their confidence that make take months or years to earn fully. Anyone have any tips or experience with this?
 
Were the eyedrops Isathal?
What was the antibiotic? Was it Baytril or Sulfatrim? Baytril is very bitter and most piggies don't like it so I always follow it up with some Coriander to take the nasty taste away. My Rainbow Piggie The Ever Beautiful Betsy loved Baytril she was a straaaaange piggy!
 
I’m glad your Vet I’d knowledgable
As @Betsy says a treat after is always good !
I give Geoff his 4joint dose every night and he doesn’t like being handled but tolerates it and enjoys his supper after
So hopefully Reggie and Rocco will do
 
Glad your vet was so good and you have a way forward to treat the eyes.
As already said, treats are good.
Piggies will learn to associate you with being loved, feeling secure and as the provider of good things like food and treats.
Hope the eyes heal quickly
 
Bubble64 said:
Thank you. Our vet was brilliant as his main focus is treating guinea pigs. There was no obvious eye injury, so he said it was an infection. Which sadly means that it could have spread to Rocco too and we started to see Rocco's eye closing too. So they are now on eye drops twice a day and antibiotics once a day for 2 weeks and then a check up appointment in 2 weeks. So now I am hoping for the best for Rocco and Reggie! I'm just very worried about their confidence because handling has been going brilliantly as they have only been with me for 5 days, however after this vet appointment and because handling will become medicine time I'm worried about their confidence that make take months or years to earn fully. Anyone have any tips or experience with this?
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Hi

The experience that your medication is making the eye better can help with a bond. Make a bit fuss during and afterwards with plenty of praise and encouragement (mind that it should come through your voice and emotion more than just the words), stroking the cheek (affection) and a little treat before you take each back to the cage.

All the best. It didn't sound like an eye injury but sight unseen we cannot really comment.
 
Medicine time was definitely a struggle tonight for the first time and I have a lot of experience giving meds to much older piggies, so younger ones are a much bigger challenge! 😄 They both enjoyed a treat of bell pepper afterwards which is proving to be a favourite! Hopefully tomorrow goes a little smoother. Any tips on giving the medicine? I tried to wrap up in a towel however they just backed into the towel burying into the towel. And they are very fidgety so I would be greatful for any suggestions on how to hold them. Never had to do this with young fidgety cheeky ones before 😊
 
Bubble64 said:
Medicine time was definitely a struggle tonight for the first time and I have a lot of experience giving meds to much older piggies, so younger ones are a much bigger challenge! 😄 They both enjoyed a treat of bell pepper afterwards which is proving to be a favourite! Hopefully tomorrow goes a little smoother. Any tips on giving the medicine? I tried to wrap up in a towel however they just backed into the towel burying into the towel. And they are very fidgety so I would be greatful for any suggestions on how to hold them. Never had to do this with young fidgety cheeky ones before 😊
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Give them the pepper to munch on while you apply the eye drops. Piggies don't multitask and will have less attention for their eyes (or their toenails) when they are busy muching .
Pull down the eyelid and aim any eye drops into the gap. With gel, you gently push the eyelids apart and aim the gel onto the eyeball.

For oral medication, we have some helpful videos and pictures in a dedicated chapter about medicating uncooperative guinea pigs in this guide link here: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Wiggly babies and youngsters are hardest to medicate. Brace for needing several attempts or an extra pair of hands.
 
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