• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details
  • Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Finlay: 2 problems

Status
Not open for further replies.
MrsM

MrsM

Senior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
5,645
Reaction score
11
Points
0
Location
Wirral
My boys went out on the grass earlier (which they loved) but when I got them back in, there were 2 very distinct types of poo: normal and fatter, rounder softer ones (which I think are Finlay's judging by where they were on the grass and where they are in the cage). I think last night's cauliflower leaves may have been a little old, so I'm hoping with a 24 hr dry diet, it should get back to normal.

More worryingly, Finlay has what I can only describe as white crystals in his eyes (1 in each, 1 bigger than the other). I first thought it was the light but now I know it wasn't. Is this the start of cataracts? There are no white films on his eyes, just the crystals. Finlay is generally healthy, loves his food and apart from being a little overweight, he's just fine.

thanks for any help...
 
Hopefully the hay diet will sort out squashy poos - the first grass of spring can be very rich and cause gut probs - bloat is one to watch out for at this time of year.

The 'stars in the eyes' look is likley to be the start of cataracts. This is usually age related, but can also be a sign of diabetes so a urine or blood pin prick test may be an idea.

Suzy x
 
Keep an eye on the poo - it could be from the cauli or too much fresh grass. Hopefully, it is OK by tomorrow.

Are the white dots in his eyes or on them? If they are on them, it is an infection. If they are in the eyes they are the beginnings of a cataract or a nuclear sclerosis (where the lens is going evenly milky - in practice not much of a difference). Cataracts are often a fairly slow process and piggies usually adjust to them and lead a perfectly normal life.
http://www.guinealynx.info/eyes.html#cataracts

Taffy has got progressing cataracts, but you wouldn't notice from her movements. Her daughter Telyn also has the beginnings.

Please have the eyes checked by a vet, even though he can't do anything about them.
 
I think the much feared trip to the vets is now needed... I just wish funds weren't so tight just now...
 
the crystals are inside his eyes, by the way.


they're not impressed by their dinner!
 
what do they/can they do for cataracts?

Hope Finlay is ok MrsM, and it doesnt cost you too much x
 
It sounds rather like a cataract then.

PS: Don't worry about a link with diabetes - my vet explained to me that diabetic cataracts are a side effect of insulin treatment for diabetic conditions and are not a sign of diabetes itself when I asked about a possible connection.
 
Wiebke said:
PS: Don't worry about a link with diabetes - my vet explained to me that diabetic cataracts are a side effect of insulin treatment for diabetic conditions and are not a sign of diabetes itself when I asked about a possible connection.
Click to expand...

I don't believe it's brought on by insulin as Glynis pig I believe had cataracts and never had insulin, also Patricia's famous diabetic pigs Hazel or Ginger can't remember which one had cataracts before insulin. Both examples were young pigs, I don't think it's correct to say Cataracts are brought on by insulin, more that it is a sign of Diabetes but also as you say it can very well be old age ofcourse.
 
Last edited:
Finlay's just turned 2 in the autumn. He has no underlying condition that I know of, but recently he's ballooned to 1530g. He's become lazy (not lethargic just plain lazy) and when he's in the run he's not that fussed about running around...
 
flintstones said:
I don't believe it's brought on by insulin as Glynis pig I believe had cataracts and never had insulin, also Patricia's famous diabetic pigs Hazel or Ginger can't remember which one had cataracts before insulin. Both examples were young pigs, I don't think it's correct to say Cataracts are brought on by insulin, more that it is a sign of Diabetes but also as you say it can very well be old age ofcourse.
Click to expand...


Yup correct :)

Velvet's came on before i knew what was happening, she's never had insulin. Velvet's is definitely cause of her diabetes :( started in one eye, she was totally cloudy within 2 weeks and then exactly a month later from when i noticed it in first eye the second eye went the same :(

Audrey visit the vets and get them to do a blood test, that's the best way to tell re diabetes.
I do test Velvet's urine a few times a week, she was doing really well but then i lashed out for her birthday and gave her corn and more treats, she's now on her stricter diet and more greens and her urine tests are improving already.

Best of luck for Findlay, the girls and i send him loads of loves and wheeeeeeky kisses xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
 
MrsM said:
Finlay's just turned 2 in the autumn. He has no underlying condition that I know of, but recently he's ballooned to 1530g. He's become lazy (not lethargic just plain lazy) and when he's in the run he's not that fussed about running around...
Click to expand...


I have got Velvet to reduce her weight a little to help with the diabetes, not as much as the vets wanted me too rolleyesmallethead cause i don't believe in totally making a pig diet! Just enough that i made her move around more and fed more green leafies as a treat. If they're over weight for them, they'll not feel like moving around as much.

As far as i can tell there doesn't seem to be an ideal weight for piggies, each one is so different, and some are huge piggies no matter what! Marita's piggies are all big chunkie piggies x) Maybe get the vets to give him a good once over :)
 
thanks for that. I had a look at the pics and it doesn't look like any of the conditions listed. It's just like a small white crystal inside the eyeball
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top