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EYE WATERING FROM HAY POKE!

Angela99

Angela99

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 22, 2018
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Location
Vancouver BC CANADA
My little Truffle I guess poked his eye (see pics) his eye is watering a lot. You cant see tears dripping in pics though, but it looks like he's crying when it waters.
I'm using distilled water and cotton ball to soothe, but it's not working. It's been two days... as I noticed it Friday. Theres no Taxis running and Vet is too far to walk with two pigs as they can Never be separated! What should I do?! Anyone? I live in Vancouver Canada. Should I give it a few days? I contacted Vet, but they haven't responded yet.
Also, I'm praying for everyone in UK🙏🙏
I have family there and Italy.... I hope everyone is safe at home with there piggies. 🙏🙏

Angela
 

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I contacted the vet when Christian had hay poke last week, emailed in pictures of his eye, then picked up eye drops after a phone consultation with the vet. Hope you can get to see a vet very soon. Eyes need to be sorted as soon as possible.

All very strange here. Vets have to keep working but are only seeing emergencies. You drop your pet off in the car park where the vet collects them, examines them, then phones you up with their diagnosis, you pay over the phone and they deposit your pet and any meds back in the car park for you to pick up and go back home again.
 
Betsy said:
I contacted the vet when Christian had hay poke last week, emailed in pictures of his eye, then picked up eye drops after a phone consultation with the vet. Hope you can get to see a vet very soon. Eyes need to be sorted as soon as possible.

All very strange here. Vets have to keep working but are only seeing emergencies. You drop your pet off in the car park where the vet collects them, examines them, then phones you up with their diagnosis, you pay over the phone and they deposit your pet and any meds back in the car park for you to pick up and go back home again.
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Ah I see! I emailed pics as well. Its Sunday so no response yet. Did you not need to drop your piggy off then? I asked if they just give me prescription to pick up, but I have a fee6they want to see him in person ... the problem is I have no way to get there with them. No taxi's running. Cant bring on a bus etc. So I'm worried and how will I know if its really bad? Its red in inner part of eye...
Is your piggy good now?
 
If we weren't in lockdown in the UK I would have taken Christian to the vet for a hands on diagnosis. I was able to describe what the eye looked like and with the pictures I'd emailed through, the vet could make a diagnosis. 5 days of eye drops twice a day and it's all better now.
 
Betsy said:
If we weren't in lockdown in the UK I would have taken Christian to the vet for a hands on diagnosis. I was able to describe what the eye looked like and with the pictures I'd emailed through, the vet could make a diagnosis. 5 days of eye drops twice a day and it's all better now.
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Yeah! Good news! Well I hope the Vet here can do the same for me🤞🤞 is there anything I can do to help him? Not sure cotton ball of distilled water helped at all. I thought it would soothe it
 
I see you're in Vancouver. If Shopper's Drug Mart deliveries are running in your area, I wonder if they could bring you some eye contact solution. If not, you can use table salt and boiled water - ratios on google vary (boiled, distilled water if you're worried about being super sterile) mixed with salt. Cool it down fully and use that as a rinse. If you have a syringe to irrigate/rinse his eye, use that. If not, If you can use a flashlight to better see if his eye is scratched, great. If you see anything, that's more info for you to pass along to your vet over the phone. My piggie had scratches on his eye that went unnoticed (no symptoms and not visible!) until he had a small white mark (ulcer) and started squinting and getting a watery eye. For that, I was prescribed Tobrex antibiotic ophthalmic ointment twice daily, which did seem to help.
 
wiggypig said:
I see you're in Vancouver. If Shopper's Drug Mart deliveries are running in your area, I wonder if they could bring you some eye contact solution. If not, you can use table salt and boiled water - ratios on google vary (boiled, distilled water if you're worried about being super sterile) mixed with salt. Cool it down fully and use that as a rinse. If you have a syringe to irrigate/rinse his eye, use that. If not, If you can use a flashlight to better see if his eye is scratched, great. If you see anything, that's more info for you to pass along to your vet over the phone. My piggie had scratches on his eye that went unnoticed (no symptoms and not visible!) until he had a small white mark (ulcer) and started squinting and getting a watery eye. For that, I was prescribed Tobrex antibiotic ophthalmic ointment twice daily, which did seem to help.
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Thank you! Someone on Facebook mentioned neosporin for eyes, but I'm too scared to try. Salt water I thought would sting. Is plain distilled water ok?
I looked closely and it looks like an indent of hay poke on his eye... circular. I imagine that's damaging and dangerous. Thank you for information 🙏🤞 I'll sleep on it and hope to hear back from Vet tomorrow
 
Anything you do at home will be a temporary relief only. We do not approve of home treatments except as a bridging step until a vet can see the piggy. Your piggy really needs to see a vet or at least for a vet to decide whether they need to examine the eye. The extent of the injury dictates what treatment is needed. There is a real risk with eyes that unless they receive the correct treatment promptly they will end up losing the eye. For this reason please call the vets and make sure they have seen your email.
 
I've never used neosporin personally, so I can't speak to that but as for eye rinses, I'd ask your vet their opinion about saline vs distilled water. Best of luck!
 
VickiA said:
Anything you do at home will be a temporary relief only. We do not approve of home treatments except as a bridging step until a vet can see the piggy. Your piggy really needs to see a vet or at least for a vet to decide whether they need to examine the eye. The extent of the injury dictates what treatment is needed. There is a real risk with eyes that unless they receive the correct treatment promptly they will end up losing the eye. For this reason please call the vets and make sure they have seen your email.
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Ok. Thank you. I'm waiting still to hear from the Vet as it was Sunday here yesterday. It looks worse today😪
 
I'd call & ask if they've received your email, don't sound impatient, just say you weren't sure if you had the email address correct & that his eye is looking worse since you emailed.

I had to make sure I emailed my dogs name & issue in the subject
&give my basic details of the problem with the pictures last week when she needed treatment.

Only a tiny pinch of salt dissolved in boiled water (egg cup amount) then cooled is ok as a temporary measure, I've dripped in a few drops with a twisted paper kitchen towel 'wick' before, but if it's starting to go cloudy or red it's probably starting to ulcerate & could risk getting infected. Eyes need sorting quickly to reduce the chances of permanent damage & complications.

Ask your vet if you can have some painkillers as well as any eye drops prescribed to make him more comfortable :)

If they're happy to triage on the phone & prescribe the meds, would it be possible to walk & get the meds, or if too far maybe a taxi might pick them up &deliver as a fare, seeing as it's not a passenger as such?

Good luck & hope you can get him sorted soon.
Ps he's a handsome lad :wub: xx
 
GPTV said:
I'd call & ask if they've received your email, don't sound impatient, just say you weren't sure if you had the email address correct & that his eye is looking worse since you emailed.

I had to make sure I emailed my dogs name & issue in the subject
&give my basic details of the problem with the pictures last week when she needed treatment.

Only a tiny pinch of salt dissolved in boiled water (egg cup amount) then cooled is ok as a temporary measure, I've dripped in a few drops with a twisted paper kitchen towel 'wick' before, but if it's starting to go cloudy or red it's probably starting to ulcerate & could risk getting infected. Eyes need sorting quickly to reduce the chances of permanent damage & complications.

Ask your vet if you can have some painkillers as well as any eye drops prescribed to make him more comfortable :)

If they're happy to triage on the phone & prescribe the meds, would it be possible to walk & get the meds, or if too far maybe a taxi might pick them up &deliver as a fare, seeing as it's not a passenger as such?

Good luck & hope you can get him sorted soon.
Ps he's a handsome lad :wub: xx
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GPTV said:
I'd call & ask if they've received your email, don't sound impatient, just say you weren't sure if you had the email address correct & that his eye is looking worse since you emailed.

I had to make sure I emailed my dogs name & issue in the subject
&give my basic details of the problem with the pictures last week when she needed treatment.

Only a tiny pinch of salt dissolved in boiled water (egg cup amount) then cooled is ok as a temporary measure, I've dripped in a few drops with a twisted paper kitchen towel 'wick' before, but if it's starting to go cloudy or red it's probably starting to ulcerate & could risk getting infected. Eyes need sorting quickly to reduce the chances of permanent damage & complications.

Ask your vet if you can have some painkillers as well as any eye drops prescribed to make him more comfortable :)

If they're happy to triage on the phone & prescribe the meds, would it be possible to walk & get the meds, or if too far maybe a taxi might pick them up &deliver as a fare, seeing as it's not a passenger as such?

Good luck & hope you can get him sorted soon.
Ps he's a handsome lad :wub: xx
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Hi thank you! His eye is cloudy discharge today. I'll call them. I'm afraid of salt water because its scratched so it will sting a lot. Hoping they can prescribe without going🤞
 
Well I just called and the exotic Vet isn't in til tomorrow and he's booked ... she said she'd get back to me in an hour to see when I can come 🤦‍♀️ 😭 theres only one other Vet and I just messaged them. Sounds like it'll be a few days ... now I worry
 
At the practice I use in the UK the vet was sent my email & he telephoned from home to triage my dog, he put in a prescription for the practice to issue&they called me when meds were ready for collection, I paid over the phone & a friend collected for me (I'm currently self isolating), she rang the practice to say she was in the car park & collected meds from a table outside, so no contact.

If there's a general vets appointments available, see if you can get one with them, as eyes are treated similarly no matter what species it is, often here a general small animal vet will treat eyes even if theyre not an exotics vet.

Good luck with the appointment xx
 
Eye injuries count as emergencies here in the UK. I think I’d see if you can get seen as an emergency as it sounds like things are getting worse.
 
Ok I got an appointment tomorrow at 12pm! But his eye is getting so bad oozing now! I clean it every hour with his favorite treats. My poor baby!
 
Hope for a speedy recovery!

Is there anyway of you trying to get an earlier appointment or is this impossible? Do you think you can try and get an emergency appointment? Hope you and your piggies are ok x
 
Minnieandpebbs said:
Hope for a speedy recovery!

Is there anyway of you trying to get an earlier appointment or is this impossible? Do you think you can try and get an emergency appointment? Hope you and your piggies are ok x
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That was earliest time they could see me. I'm cleaning every time I see too much discharge. What happens to Guinea Pigs in this situation? Like how fast is it dangerous ? Looks like it's a deep poke in the inner eye area.
 
If you're able to ring them back & say it's badly damaged with a visible discharge (is it clear/milky or yellow, possibly pink) tell them the colour & consistency of it, if its yellow or pink, I'd definitely insist on an appt today. But today really is better all round anyway.

I think your 7hrs behind us in the UK? Ask if you could be squeezed in at the end of the day before closing, otherwise it'll be a 22hr wait which is a long way off for eye injuries.

Maybe try not to rub the discharge off, but just drip some boiled cooled water on it to keep the eye clear of debris, nicely hydrated & hopefully give him some relief.
Good luck 🤞🏻 xx
 
GPTV said:
If you're able to ring them back & say it's badly damaged with a visible discharge (is it clear/milky or yellow, possibly pink) tell them the colour & consistency of it, if its yellow or pink, I'd insist on an appt today.

I think your 7hrs behind us in the UK? Ask if you could be squeezed in at the end of the day before closing, otherwise it'll be a 22hr wait which is a long way off for eye injuries.

Maybe try not to rub the discharge off, but just drip some boiled cooled water on it to keep the eye clear of debris, nicely hydrated & hopefully give him some relief.
Good luck 🤞🏻 xx
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The problem is in Vancouver theres no Guinea Pig vets... the rodent specialist isn't in til tomorrow and theres only two options and other Vet is full. The discharge is cloudy not pink. Not yellow. Sadly not a lot of Guinea pig owners out here. His eye after I cleaned an hour ago is still clear which is good... I think
 
I found another Vet up the road that will see him tonight! But they are not exotic animal vet... they are vets that see them so they have some knowledge.... what should I do? Do i wait til tomorrow with specialist or go tonight?
 
GPTV said:
If you're able to ring them back & say it's badly damaged with a visible discharge (is it clear/milky or yellow, possibly pink) tell them the colour & consistency of it, if its yellow or pink, I'd definitely insist on an appt today. But today really is better all round anyway.

I think your 7hrs behind us in the UK? Ask if you could be squeezed in at the end of the day before closing, otherwise it'll be a 22hr wait which is a long way off for eye injuries.

Maybe try not to rub the discharge off, but just drip some boiled cooled water on it to keep the eye clear of debris, nicely hydrated & hopefully give him some relief.
Good luck 🤞🏻 xx
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I found another Vet up the road that will see him tonight! But they are not exotic animal vet... they are vets that see them so they have some knowledge.... what should I do? Do i wait til tomorrow with specialist or go tonight?
 
It's a shame your vets are so specific with the animals they treat. I'm lucky my vets are a large rural practice, they treat farm & small animals, they never advertise to be exotic vets, they have reptile & fish specialists that they can get advice or refer customers to.

But Isathal drops here in the UK are prescribed for use in cats, dogs & guineas eyes.
Eyes are eyes!
Did you ask if a non exotic vet could treat eyes? Or was it one of those really helpful receptionists that like to be full of their own importance?

Yes you're right though, a clear eye is a good sign & a slightly milky discharge is sounding like the normal cleaning fluid that Guineas secrete from their eyes :)
Let us know how you get on.

Good luck & healing vibes being sent your way for a full & speedy recovery xx
 
Angela99 said:
I found another Vet up the road that will see him tonight! But they are not exotic animal vet... they are vets that see them so they have some knowledge.... what should I do? Do i wait til tomorrow with specialist or go tonight?
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Yeay! Go tonight :hug::clap:xx
 
Because its his eye I'd go tonight, once he has drops and painkillers it should start to heal quite quickly - the longer they're left more risk of infection, more damage, more painful & more chance of complications.

I'd see the one tonight & if you feel he still needs to see the exotic vets then go as well, if not cancel the appointment for tomorrow after he's been treated by this vet.
A non exotic vet should be fine for treating eyes, if it was a more species specific issue/operation I'd see the exotic.

If he can get healing drops tonight, his eye can start repairing so much quicker :)
Xx
 
GPTV said:
Because its his eye I'd go tonight, once he has drops and painkillers it should start to heal quite quickly - the longer they're left more risk of infection, more damage, more painful & more chance of complications.

I'd see the one tonight & if you feel he still needs to see the exotic vets then go as well, if not cancel the appointment for tomorrow after he's been treated by this vet.
A non exotic vet should be fine for treating eyes, if it was a more species specific issue/operation I'd see the exotic.

If he can get healing drops tonight, his eye can start repairing so much quicker :)
Xx
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Yes good point as today got really bad. So worried. I booked him at 6pm tonight. I didn't know that eye issue was emergency and at first it didn't seem crazy bad. Anyway I hope for the best tonight 🤞🙏 I appreciate all your support because theres no one I know here who can give me guidance! Thank goodness for the forum!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
 
Glad you could figure out how to go forward. Hope all goes well and that he has a great recovery!

Procedure-wise, I would think they'd look at her eye, maybe peek under her eyelids a bit. Maybe rinse with a sterile solution. Do an eye-stain and look in her eyes with a bright light and little magnifier for a closer look. They would likely also probably prescribe an antibiotic ophthalmic lotion for you to apply at home. That's basically what my vet did for my piggy's eye injury.

For after-care, I'd suggest trying to keep his cage super clean. Also, I use a blend of orchard grass and timothy hay by oxbow. Orchard grass is softer than timothy and has far fewer twig-like poky bits. Bit of a different nutrient profile - you can find lots of info that compares protein, fiber and calcium content of hay types if you want to know more.
 
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