Glaucoma?

[WhatAWheek]

Hi, I have seen a previous thread on glaucoma in piggies but this isn't quite the same. I have noticed that one of my pigs, who has naturally very dark eyes, has a cloudiness to one of them. There are no other signs that something may be wrong but I wondered whether anyone else has had a similar experience? I have had Guinea Pigs all my life but it's the first time I have seen this. Thanks

 

[helen105281]

Has it only just come on or has it been there for a while? It is possibly the start of cataracts but could also be an injury, such as a hay poke. If so they would need to see a vet for eye drops and to check for damage. I don't know much about Glaucoma.

Please could you update your location as it will help us to advise you.

 

[WhatAWheek]

I've been watching i over the last couple of weeks since I brought them in from their summer run in the garden. I half think I'm imagining it as it's faint and I couldn't say for sure whether it's always been there (he's a year old now). I don't think it's hay poke - no other signs of irritation around the eye at all

 

[helen105281]

It may be a cataract then, or could even be the light. My Fuzzy has cataracts and is really happy and charges about but if you are worried you could get them checked by a vet just so you have a diagnosis. Are they eating ok etc?

 

[WhatAWheek]

He's eating fine and is very lively so I'm not worried in that respect. Have you been given any treatment for the cataracts?

 

[helen105281]

No none at all, she is on meds but those are for her heart issues. Another member on here Wiebke has a whole herd of pigs with cataracts but she is not around at the moment. I will tag her in case she is able to come on @Wiebke

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I have seen a previous thread on glaucoma in piggies but this isn't quite the same. I have noticed that one of my pigs, who has naturally very dark eyes, has a cloudiness to one of them. There are no other signs that something may be wrong but I wondered whether anyone else has had a similar experience? I have had Guinea Pigs all my life but it's the first time I have seen this. Thanks

Have your guinea pig checked for cataracts. They are not all that rare in older guinea pigs (whereas glaucoma is much, much rarer!) - similar to human old age cataracts, only that they are not treatable in guinea pigs.
Congenital cataracts (i.e. genetically inherited ones) turn up in younger piggies, sometimes as early as birth, but more common in the second year of life. it is important that while there is nothing your vet can do, do make sure that there is nothing else going on, like an infection.
Whereas glaucoma is caused by too high pressure inside the eye, in cataracts it is the lens going opaque.
Guinea Lynx :: Eyes

Thankfully, eyesight is not the strongest sense in guinea pigs and they can still lead a perfectly normal, enriched life. As their eyesight wanes, their other senses will adapt to cover for it.
You may find this thread here about a guinea pig with sudden onset congenital cataracts comforting: Turning a blind eye on mischief - another piggy story

 

[WhatAWheek]

Thanks very much

 

[WhatAWheek]

Have your guinea pig checked for cataracts. They are not all that rare in older guinea pigs (whereas glaucoma is much, much rarer!) - similar to human old age cataracts, only that they are not treatable in guinea pigs.
Congenital cataracts (i.e. genetically inherited ones) turn up in younger piggies, sometimes as early as birth, but more common in the second year of life. it is important that while there is nothing your vet can do, do make sure that there is nothing else going on, like an infection.
Whereas glaucoma is caused by too high pressure inside the eye, in cataracts it is the lens going opaque.
Guinea Lynx :: Eyes

Thankfully, eyesight is not the strongest sense in guinea pigs and they can still lead a perfectly normal, enriched life. As their eyesight wanes, their other senses will adapt to cover for it.
You may find this thread here about a guinea pig with sudden onset congenital cataracts comforting: Turning a blind eye on mischief - another piggy story

Oh thank you so much for that story! Elvis, my boy pig in this case, doesn't have such a prominent opaqueness (yet) but I will watch him carefully. He certainly has no trouble getting about and wrestling food away from his brother!