• 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

Specialist Guinea pig eye issue

Buggster10

Buggster10

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Messages
238
Reaction score
121
Points
305
Location
Cardiff
Hi looking for advice. My mum took her guinea pig to emergency vet today as he's been having issues with his eye swelling up on and off ( been to the vets every time it's happening) today though they say they don't think they can save the eye anymore but issued 0.7 ml of baytril for a 900 g twice a day adult pig( he's lost weight). Too me that's way over the amount allowed because my adult pig who weighs 1300 g was issued 0.5ml of baytril twice daily. Please does anyone have advice on the amount of baytril and metacam for a 900 g piggy :-(
 
Buggster10 said:
Hi looking for advice. My mum took her guinea pig to emergency vet today as he's been having issues with his eye swelling up on and off ( been to the vets every time it's happening) today though they say they don't think they can save the eye anymore but issued 0.7 ml of baytril for a 900 g twice a day adult pig( he's lost weight). Too me that's way over the amount allowed because my adult pig who weighs 1300 g was issued 0.5ml of baytril twice daily. Please does anyone have advice on the amount of baytril and metacam for a 900 g piggy :-(
Click to expand...

Hi!

Your vet is maxing out on the baytril dose in a last ditch attempt to save the eye. Is the 0.7 ml twice daily or once daily?
If he would be prepared to try unlicensed zithromax (azithromycin), that would be even better. It is a very strong last ditch antibiotic.
The reason for the high dosage is that eyeball is an enclosed space, so it is very hard to get into it medically. the same goes for a retrobulbar abscess (an abscess behind the eye).

Please make sure that you give your piggy plenty of probiotics, 'poo soup' or fibreplex and step in with syringe feeding support.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

@furryfriends (TEAS) @Jaycey @helen105281 @Abi_nurse
 
Hi thanks for replying. Baytril was twice a day to try save the eye plus metacam and a paste to try lubricate the eye. Unfortunately on return to the vets today the eye is now so huge that it has dried out and no longer can be saved so we are absolutely devastated to say the vet wants to remove the eye immediately tomorrow morning and said can't wait any longer. They are not sure what's causing it. They said could be an abscess or tumour:-( but like you mentioned such small space so they won't know til they remove the eye. Oh I hope he will pull through:-(. He went immediately to the vets within hours if the eye swelling every time it's happened but it just comes back. Gutted absolutely gutted. He looks so sad:-(
 
Thanks for advice on feeding. At the moment he is still eating but will definitely pass the advice on syringe feeding to my mum. Will it be best to do that after the op? ( hoping he pulls through it)
 
Are photos allowed? If so
This was yesterday.
Today it has totally clouded over and completely dried out:-(
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20190428-191457.webp
    Screenshot_20190428-191457.webp
    36.9 KB · Views: 9
Buggster10 said:
Are photos allowed? If so
This was yesterday.
Today it has totally clouded over and completely dried out:-(
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am very sorry for the bad news.
Please take a big breath; the operation is urgent. Be strong for your piggy's sake. I suspect an abscess behind the eye that cannot be left any longer. :(
Here are our post-op care tips: Tips For Post-operative Care

The good news is that one-eyed piggies do fine and can lead a perfectly normal life. Sight is not the strongest guinea pig sense (unlike in humans). They generally don't like being approached from their blind side, so you have to try and handle him as much from the other side and teach him an audio cue that you are going to touch him where he can't see you coming. That is all... ;)
 
Thanks. Hare belongs to my mum and my two sisters but I was desperate to ask advice. I have just my daughter down to see him and give him a cuddle before the operation tomorrow. He's so quiet:-( hope tomorrow goes ok:-(
 
Buggster10 said:
Huge thanks for your advice.. really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Fingers very firmly crossed for tomorrow!

If you feel that your fear is overwhelming you, try to send the energy as healing energy to your boy instead.
 
If squeamish look away! But He's home! He made it through the operation. It was an abscess. He's been eating and drinking in the vets and is home. His cage brother stayed with him at the vets all day for support x thought I would update you all.
 

Attachments

  • IMG-20190430-WA0000.webp
    IMG-20190430-WA0000.webp
    100.6 KB · Views: 7
Thankyou very much x we are all so pleased he is home. The vets were pleased with how well he did.
 
Aw, he’s still a beautiful little Pirate boy, so glad he’s made through the operation and he’s back home x Hoping he makes a speedy recovery x
 
I know. My mum and sisters and us are all so pleased to see his cute piggy face. He is very quiet and hiding in his tunnel but vets said he has eaten and had water.. he has to return in two days then every few days to assess the area.
 
Makes sure he keeps eating and drinking x otherwise have a look on syringe feed found in the guinea pig guides at the top of the page. 🤞all crossed for him x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Makes sure he keeps eating and drinking x otherwise have a look on syringe feed found in the guinea pig guides at the top of the page. 🤞all crossed for him x
Click to expand...
Hare had a return visit again to the vets today to be checked. They are very pleased with him. His would is drying up nicely. They gave him an injection ( think antibiotics and metacam) and he will return weds next week to be checked again x
 
Buggster10 said:
Hare had a return visit again to the vets today to be checked. They are very pleased with him. His would is drying up nicely. They gave him an injection ( think antibiotics and metacam) and he will return weds next week to be checked again x
Click to expand...
My sister's said he came to the front of the cage this morning for food and he was singing which he has not done since his eye got very bad.
 
The vet said it's looking good and they are very pleased with him x he came out for water and his food this morning and a cuddle x
 

Attachments

  • IMG-20190503-WA0000.webp
    IMG-20190503-WA0000.webp
    48.9 KB · Views: 2
  • IMG-20190502-WA0004.webp
    IMG-20190502-WA0004.webp
    53.4 KB · Views: 2
Merab's Slave said:
Only just picked up on this thread but glad to hear that Hare is recovering.
Sounded nasty
Click to expand...
Thanks very much. Yes such a shock for us knowing he was going to lose the eye as he was taken to the vets immediately each time but this last time it just couldn't be saved anymore. The abscess just would not drain and the eye dried out.:-( but he's home safe and hopefully the abscess will drain properly and they assessing him every few days x
 
Hi all. Thought I would give you an update on Hare. My sisters took him to the vets today as it was time for a review. Lucky really as the area where the eye was removed has started weeping pus. The vet decided to eww squeeze the area. Lots of pus came out and the vet said she was expecting it to because she saw lots of pus when removing the eye. Gave him more baytril and metacam. He will return next week and if still has pus then antibiotics will change ? To one beginning with f? Any ideas which one that would be and any advice? Thanks x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top