George... developing cataracts?

[Free Ranger]

I was chuckling @alpacasqueak at Luigi in his hay cube when I noticed your comment about cataracts and thought more about my George. He's just about 4 (we think!) and you can tell he's getting on a bit with his mild impaction and not being quite so well-toned as when he was younger. Because he's so dark I've been thinking I was imagining a slight cloudiness in those gentle dark eyes but this recent pic for the FOF thread makes his eyes look pretty different to before. The other thing that made me think something was going on is that I have some small 'guinea-pig steps' within the piggy bit outside (two levels - it's a crazy space - don't ask!) which he used to bounce up and down with no problems but when they went out this year he seemed to want to go up and over - but he didn't. He came down with a bit of a clumsy plop the first time too. Now he's a chubster at 1.4 kilo, and never 'scampered' even when young so I put it down to lack of practice and hefty saddlebags - maybe a bit of stiffness - so I modified the steps and made them even shallower in case we were looking at arthritic legs - but then he was even more reluctant. This would make sense, I suppose, if he was agile enough to have a go but couldn't see things properly to see changes? He pootles round outside OK, and he can always find the girls to rumble at.

So if anyone out there has any advice or tips about detecting or managing cataracts it would be handy because we've not seen them before. I've not posted in H&I as he's not unwell and seems very content - he had his nails trimmed today and was very placid, then enjoyed a little cuddle after. And I mean properly enjoyed - not 'tolerated'! He's such a lovely boy

 

[alpacasqueak]

Aw bless him, he sounds lovely, gorgeous boy.
I noticed Luigi’s really early so there was only a tiny shimmer of blue in the sun but as I’d had another pig with cataracts (Sheepy the alpaca) I’d seen them before, as well as my one eyed beasts with their eye issues obviously! I took him to my local vet to confirm, he’s only two bless him.
When they first started progressing he got quite jumpy and was quieter than normal but after a few weeks it was like nothing was going on tbh! I always announce where I am, don’t just go into the cage as he jumps out of his skin sometimes but that’s rare now really. He still zooms and popcorns like a nutter once he’s sussed out the cage/living room layout, he doesn’t have any ramps etc so I’m not very helpful there sorry!
It’s probably worth getting him into the vets to have a good look and see if he possibly needs metacam to help with the arthritis. My little old RB Jess had it and when she started on the daily metacam got a little spring in her step again! ❤
Lots of hugs and kisses to gorgeous George from me and the girlies

 

[Tigermoth]

Aw, another member of the cataract club Timmy has them in both eyes now. He generally is happy enough, he rumbles away as though he is the next big thing. I do get a bit sad though, he keeps tucking himself up and just sitting. Now he has always done it, but he doesn't realise that he is sitting facing the sticks or the hay tray and he just looks a bit pathetic. I put the veg out and he doesn't know where it is, he just stays begging up at the bars. I think he is going deaf too which doesnt help. I genuinely think I'm more bothered than him though. It's a sign he is really getting on (he's approaching 7 this summer so he is an old boy!)

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, gorgeous Georgie He’s getting on a bit, all these things come along as they get older but he looks like he’s living a full life with his girls, he will have mellowed which I find really lovely in older boars x

 

[Merab]

Merab developed cataracts in both eyes when she was about 4 years old.
As with @alpacasqueak they began with a blue shimmer in both eyes and grew until she was completely blind.
There was no noticeable difference in her behaviour. Her slowing down was as much about age as the blindness.
She was past 6 years old when she died