Guinea pig displaying concerning symptoms

[Cocobabyxxxoxxo]

Hello, I would first like to point out that I am unable of reaching a vet due to it being Christmas Eve. But my guinea pig, Koa has been showing clear signs of underlying issues and I would like to get advice on this. he's been tilting his head and walking around in circular motions occasionally. I have just found a piece of hay around 2(ish?)cms lodged into his eyeball. though it may have potentially been in his tear duct. nonetheless, his eye is now swollen and tearing significantly. I did pull the hay out and he winced when I did. he's also been quite snotty with discharge in his nose and eyes however I simply drew it off as normal. now I realise it may have been one of the initial signs to get him checked out. Please help me out here.

 

[Piggies&buns]

When did the head tilting/walking in circles start?
When did the nasal discharge start?

A head tilt can be as a result pain somewhere in the head (eg ear infection, dental etc) - or it can be as a result of a neurological problem.
This and the nasal discharge is of concern and he does need to see a vet asap.

Hay which actually penetrates the eye will cause ulcerating injury. The swelling and watering is of concern and may mean that it has done damage to the eye. That requires pain meds, antibiotics and lubricants. Eye injuries are considered urgent and require meds within 24 hours of the injury occurring due to the pain they cause and prompt treatment results in a better outcome.

Our emergency care advice is to switch from the routine weekly weight checks and to instead weigh your piggy every morning and step in/prepare to step in with syringe feeding a recovery feed.
You will need to syringe feed if your piggy is losing weight (which happens as a result of reduced hay intake, even if a piggy still appears to be eating).

I know it is hard if a vet isn’t available but I'm afraid, we aren’t able to say anything more than to see a vet and to provide the emergency care advice as we cannot diagnose what may be wrong with your piggy

I’ve added guides below to help with further information about syringe feeding and the importance of keeping the gut moving

I hope he is ok

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
First Aid: Immediate Care Measures and Non-medication Products
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency

 

[Cocobabyxxxoxxo]

Hi, thank you so much for replying-I haven't exactly been paying much attention to them lately as my mother has been caring for them, but I'm assuming that the head tilting and spinning have only began happening recently, maybe a few hours or even a day before I noticed. As for the discharge, he's been quite snotty ever since he was a baby, the amount of discharge may have grown since then though.

 

[Piggies&buns]

As I say, he does need to get to a vet asap as these symptoms are very concerning. Nasal discharge is never normal even if he has always had it.

Make sure you get him to a vet as soon as one is open.
Also make sure you step in with weight checks each morning and syringe feed enough to keep his weight stable ( the guides explain more about how monitor weight and syringe feed accordingly)

 

[weepweeps]

Hello, I would first like to point out that I am unable of reaching a vet due to it being Christmas Eve. But my guinea pig, Koa has been showing clear signs of underlying issues and I would like to get advice on this. he's been tilting his head and walking around in circular motions occasionally. I have just found a piece of hay around 2(ish?)cms lodged into his eyeball. though it may have potentially been in his tear duct. nonetheless, his eye is now swollen and tearing significantly. I did pull the hay out and he winced when I did. he's also been quite snotty with discharge in his nose and eyes however I simply drew it off as normal. now I realise it may have been one of the initial signs to get him checked out. Please help me out here.

Good luck at the vets. I hope he’s feeling better soon