Guinea Pig Eye Swollen/Bulging

[Dom R]

Hi all,

Just wanting some advice for my guinea pig, Oscar. I took him to the vets today for his eye (picture below) and he's not eating/drinking or anything. He's had a shot of metacam and has been given some eye gel and Sulfatrim to help. I have to go back tomorrow for a checkup to see if he's more comfortable and if not the vet thinks he should be PTS. He's had the dye on his eye, and she hasn't noticed any damage to his cornea or anything, and she thinks it could be either a tumour or abscess behind his eye, causing it to bulge out.

He has bad lungs/breathing as it is, and is prone to chest infections and what not, so the vet (and I agree) thinks that he wouldn't survive any anaesthetic if he was to have it. My options are pretty limited it seems, I'm just wondering what you guys would do in this situation?

Is there anything I should ask for/try before we go for the worst option?

He's currently sat munching on his pellets in his enclosure, so he's eating something without me having to force feed him mushed pellets; this is a good sign.

 

[Siikibam]

Hi there. I’m sorry your boy is so unwell. You are best placed to start weighing him at the same time each day and topping him up with a syringe feed if he’s not maintaining his weight. You can’t judge how much hay he’s eating by eye hence the weighing.

What does the vet think is wrong with his eye? And what is the sulfatrim for? Putting him to sleep seems a little extreme but I’m not experienced so won’t comment on that.

I’ll tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns and hopefully they can answer you more comprehensively.

All the best with your boy and I hope you can find a solution.

 

[Dom R]

Hi there. I’m sorry your boy is so unwell. You are best placed to start weighing him at the same time each day and topping him up with a syringe feed if he’s not maintaining his weight. You can’t judge how much hay he’s eating by eye hence the weighing.

What does the vet think is wrong with his eye? And what is the sulfatrim for? Putting him to sleep seems a little extreme but I’m not experienced so won’t comment on that.

I’ll tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns and hopefully they can answer you more comprehensively.

All the best with your boy and I hope you can find a solution.

He has lost weight and I have been syringe feeding because he hasn't been eating. Although after the metacam today he's drinking more, which is a good sign.

The vet thinks there's an abscess or a tumour behind his eye, pushing it forward and causing it to bulge, and the Sulfatrim is to help if there is an infection or abscess there. I too think that putting him to sleep is extreme, I would at least want to try getting his eye removed before that decision is made, but I'd rather try and save his eye altogether if possible. I have contacted a second vet to see if I could get a second opinion, as she is more than likely more experienced with guinea pigs than the general vet I saw.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I think a second opinion is best.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Yes a second opinion sounds like a good idea, maybe the vet could do an xray without any anaesthesia, to take a look at what is happening behing the eye? Our vet does conscious xrays, poorly piggies often keep still enough for this, or maybe just a sedative injection to keep him still.
I think if this is an abscess behind his eye, it may be worth attempting the eye removal operation, although the anaesthesia would be very risky if he has breathing problems, passing away under anaesthesia would be painless and no different to pts, and there may be a chance he would be ok...

 

[Siikibam]

That sounds like a good plan. We have a list of recommended vets on here who people have used. Hopefully the one you chose is on the list.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

Just wanting some advice for my guinea pig, Oscar. I took him to the vets today for his eye (picture below) and he's not eating/drinking or anything. He's had a shot of metacam and has been given some eye gel and Sulfatrim to help. I have to go back tomorrow for a checkup to see if he's more comfortable and if not the vet thinks he should be PTS. He's had the dye on his eye, and she hasn't noticed any damage to his cornea or anything, and she thinks it could be either a tumour or abscess behind his eye, causing it to bulge out.

He has bad lungs/breathing as it is, and is prone to chest infections and what not, so the vet (and I agree) thinks that he wouldn't survive any anaesthetic if he was to have it. My options are pretty limited it seems, I'm just wondering what you guys would do in this situation?

Is there anything I should ask for/try before we go for the worst option?

He's currently sat munching on his pellets in his enclosure, so he's eating something without me having to force feed him mushed pellets; this is a good sign.

View attachment 148287

Please have your boy seen by another vet for the likelihood of a retrobulbar abscess (and abscess behind the eye). Sulfatrim won't be strong enough to get on top of it; he may rather need a stronger unlicensed (but safe) antibiotic like zithromax.
Vet Locator

Step in with syringe feeding support asap.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Dom R]

I think a second opinion is best.

Yes a second opinion sounds like a good idea, maybe the vet could do an xray without any anaesthesia, to take a look at what is happening behing the eye? Our vet does conscious xrays, poorly piggies often keep still enough for this, or maybe just a sedative injection to keep him still.
I think if this is an abscess behind his eye, it may be worth attempting the eye removal operation, although the anaesthesia would be very risky if he has breathing problems, passing away under anaesthesia would be painless and no different to pts, and there may be a chance he would be ok...

That sounds like a good plan. We have a list of recommended vets on here who people have used. Hopefully the one you chose is on the list.

Please have your boy seen by another vet for the likelihood of a retrobulbar abscess (and abscess behind the eye). Sulfatrim won't be strong enough to get on top of it; he may rather need a stronger unlicensed (but safe) antibiotic like zithromax.
Vet Locator

Step in with syringe feeding support asap.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Thank you all for the reply. I normally go and see Ellie Whitehead at Derwent Valley Vets, I've always had good experiences with her and the care of my piggies, I emailed her earlier and hopefully she'll reply soon, so I can book in and go for a second opinion. She's quite a distance away, but its worth the travel. She also has experienced the breathing issues with Oscar in the past, so she knows his experiences and things, which will be beneficial I'm sure.

I think I'll ask the vet tomorrow when I go back for some oral metacam, as he's improved and eaten some dandelion leaves from the garden, and then I'll get him in to see Ellie as soon as possible. Oscar is still quite young, he's not even 2 years old yet, so I'm sure his young age will help with the anaesthetic if it comes to it, although his breathing may be an issue, but we will see.

Again, thanks all for the replies and for helping me decide to get a second opinion.

Hope you're all keeping well during the pandemic,

Dom.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all for the reply. I normally go and see Ellie Whitehead at Derwent Valley Vets, I've always had good experiences with her and the care of my piggies, I emailed her earlier and hopefully she'll reply soon, so I can book in and go for a second opinion. She's quite a distance away, but its worth the travel. She also has experienced the breathing issues with Oscar in the past, so she knows his experiences and things, which will be beneficial I'm sure.

I think I'll ask the vet tomorrow when I go back for some oral metacam, as he's improved and eaten some dandelion leaves from the garden, and then I'll get him in to see Ellie as soon as possible. Oscar is still quite young, he's not even 2 years old yet, so I'm sure his young age will help with the anaesthetic if it comes to it, although his breathing may be an issue, but we will see.

Again, thanks all for the replies and for helping me decide to get a second opinion.

Hope you're all keeping well during the pandemic,

Dom.

Hi!

Please still monitor his weight and step in with feeding support. Keep in mind that nibbling on a little dandelion is like you nibbling on a biscuit. Around 80% of the food intake should be hay, and you cannot control that by eye. Making sure that he keeps his strength to fight whatever it is is important.

All the best! It is worth the trouble but glad that the metacam is alleviating the pain enough.

@furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Dom R]

Hi!

Please still monitor his weight and step in with feeding support. Keep in mind that nibbling on a little dandelion is like you nibbling on a biscuit. Around 80% of the food intake should be hay, and you cannot control that by eye. Making sure that he keeps his strength to fight whatever it is is important.

All the best! It is worth the trouble but glad that the metacam is alleviating the pain enough.

@furryfriends (TEAS)

He doesn't seem too interested in his hay at the moment, but I've got him some fresh grass/readigrass for him to eat to keep his fibre intake and what not up. I'll keep feeding him some mushed up pellets to continue to help out. He still doesn't seem too happy, but is actually eating now which is positive.

 

[Piggies&buns]

He doesn't seem too interested in his hay at the moment, but I've got him some fresh grass/readigrass for him to eat to keep his fibre intake and what not up. I'll keep feeding him some mushed up pellets to continue to help out. He still doesn't seem too happy, but is actually eating now which is positive.

It’s the syringe feeding which is replacing the hay he is not eating so it is essential you get enough into him, and then anything else he will eat on top is a bonus. Keep weighing him daily so you know he is getting enough syringe feeds

 

[Dom R]

It’s the syringe feeding which is replacing the hay he is not eating so it is essential you get enough into him, and then anything else he will eat on top is a bonus. Keep weighing him daily so you know he is getting enough syringe feeds

I'll keep giving him some every hour or two, luckily he's not too wriggly so syringe feeding him is easy.

I managed to get him booked in to see Ellie Whitehead at Derwent Valley on Monday. Its quite a wait but its the earliest appointment they had, so I'll keep him going for that appointment.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

We've managed to save the eye of two piggies, with retrobulbar abscesses. Our vet used the antibiotics Marbocyl and Metronidazole and Viscotears were put into the affected eye, every few hours, to keep it from drying out. He was also on a hefty dose of Metacam for dogs - 0.5ml, twice daily.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

You can buy Viscotears at any pharmacy. Get some and start using them straight away, as otherwise the eye will dry out and no longer be viable.

 

[Dom R]

You can buy Viscotears at any pharmacy. Get some and start using them straight away, as otherwise the eye will dry out and no longer be viable.

Do you reckon I should ask for some more antibiotics tomorrow too? Just to hopefully help it out more. I have some eye gel which is used for keeping the eye hydrated which the vets gave me. Probably much cheaper from the pharmacy though

 

[Dom R]

Do you reckon I should ask for some more antibiotics tomorrow too? Just to hopefully help it out more. I have some eye gel which is used for keeping the eye hydrated which the vets gave me. Probably much cheaper from the pharmacy though

Also I must add, his eye seems to be less swollen now, it still seems sore, and a bit more red than before, but its not bulging as much. Not sure if the metacam kicked in and helped that quickly, or the fact that its much more hydrated now is the cause (maybe both) But I would say that's a good sign of progress, even though it is only slightly

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Which antibiotic is he currently on?

 

[Dom R]

Which antibiotic is he currently on?

Sulfatrim on a dose of 0.4ml twice daily. Someone above said that this might not be strong enough to get rid of it (or be the right antibiotic for the job)

 

[Wiebke]

Sulfatrim on a dose of 0.4ml twice daily. Someone above said that this might not be strong enough to get rid of it (or be the right antibiotic for the job)

If he is reacting well to the sulfatrim, then that is great. He will hopefully keep until Monday until Ellie can see and assess him and any medication!

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Sulfatrim on a dose of 0.4ml twice daily. Someone above said that this might not be strong enough to get rid of it (or be the right antibiotic for the job)

He will need something stronger than Sulfatrim. It's a pity you can't see Ellie sooner, as retrobulbar abscesses can increase in size very quickly. Is he on anti-inflammatory pain relief?

 

[Dom R]

He will need something stronger than Sulfatrim. It's a pity you can't see Ellie sooner, as retrobulbar abscesses can increase in size very quickly. Is he on anti-inflammatory pain relief?

He had some metacam at the vets earlier, and I'm going to be asking for some tomorrow when I go back. Do you think I should ask for some antibiotics that are a bit stronger to go alongside the Sulfatrim? If so what would you suggest asking for?

And yeah, Ellie is booked quite full and Monday was the first appointment, after that it would've been next Thursday, so it'll have to do.

 

[Wiebke]

He had some metacam at the vets earlier, and I'm going to be asking for some tomorrow when I go back. Do you think I should ask for some antibiotics that are a bit stronger to go alongside the Sulfatrim? If so what would you suggest asking for?

See the recommendations in @furryfriends (TEAS) first post! if you can step in with a combination of stronger antibiotics, then that would be better as there is much less of a risk that as the abscess gets stronger it can suddenly work past a weaker antibiotic.

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my thoughts

 

[Dom R]

See the recommendations in @furryfriends (TEAS) first post! if you can step in with a combination of stronger antibiotics, then that would be better as there is much less of a risk that as the abscess gets stronger it can suddenly work past a weaker antibiotic.

I forgot that someone recommended some, I'll note them down on my phone and enquire about them. I sort of wish I had this information before the vets, but I didn't really get much chance to research

Holding you in my thoughts

Thank you c:

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Zithromax is a good antibiotic for dealing with abscesses but the combination of Marbocyl and Metronidazole worked incredibly well, when we recently dealt with the worst abscess ever!

 

[Wiebke]

I forgot that someone recommended some, I'll note them down on my phone and enquire about them. I sort of wish I had this information before the vets, but I didn't really get much chance to research

Thank you c:

It is always difficult when you are confronted with an unexpected diagnosis.

Please be aware that all recommended antibiotics are not officially licensed for guinea pigs (although they are safe to use) and that you will have to sign a consent form. Also be aware that your vet may not have them in stock; especially no frills vets keep their running costs low by only stocking a limited range of medication. But it is in any case worth trying!

Also ask for dog metacam (again not licensed for guinea pigs) because it is three times the strength of cat metacam. At the high dosages that you ideally use (up to 0.4 ml twice daily dog and 1.2 ml of cat metacam for a 1 kg piggy) you'll run out of a 10 ml bottle of cat metacam in no time.

 

[Dom R]

Zithromax is a good antibiotic for dealing with abscesses but the combination of Marbocyl and Metronidazole worked incredibly well, when we recently dealt with the worst abscess ever!

I'll ask to see if she could prescribe any of them, and that I understand the risks of them if they arent licensed. Are the medications you listed a liquid, tablet or some other form? I know that some forms of medications can be bad for piggies and other forms might not be (unless I'm imagining that I read that somewhere).

It is always difficult when you are confronted with an unexpected diagnosis.

Please be aware that all recommended antibiotics are not officially licensed for guinea pigs (although they are safe to use) and that you will have to sign a consent form. Also be aware that your vet may not have them in stock; especially no frills vets keep their running costs low by only stocking a limited range of medication. But it is in any case worth trying!

Also ask for dog metacam (again not licensed for guinea pigs) because it is three times the strength of cat metacam. At the high dosages that you ideally use (up to 0.4 ml twice daily dog and 1.2 ml of cat metacam for a 1 kg piggy) you'll run out of a 10 ml bottle of cat metacam in no time.

It is quite difficult. Normally I'm used to just going there for his chest and asking for doxycycline to clear it up, in all my piggies I've never had to get any medication for any sort of eye injury, so it's all new to me. I'll happily sign any consent forms as long as it gives Oscar a fighting chance of getting through this, anything for my little buddy.

I'll also make sure I get dog metacam for him, the vets I go to are quite good and usually prescribe the dog version over the cat version. I think I've only had the cat one once, when they might have been out of the dog one.

I also just sort of wanted to get Oscar in and get him on something at least to help him, even for a short time. He's definitely picked up after the bit of Metacam this morning, a little more active and has the odd nibble at hay/grass/pellets. I'm still having to syringe feed him though.

 

[Wiebke]

I'll ask to see if she could prescribe any of them, and that I understand the risks of them if they arent licensed. Are the medications you listed a liquid, tablet or some other form? I know that some forms of medications can be bad for piggies and other forms might not be (unless I'm imagining that I read that somewhere).



It is quite difficult. Normally I'm used to just going there for his chest and asking for doxycycline to clear it up, in all my piggies I've never had to get any medication for any sort of eye injury, so it's all new to me. I'll happily sign any consent forms as long as it gives Oscar a fighting chance of getting through this, anything for my little buddy.

I'll also make sure I get dog metacam for him, the vets I go to are quite good and usually prescribe the dog version over the cat version. I think I've only had the cat one once, when they might have been out of the dog one.

I also just sort of wanted to get Oscar in and get him on something at least to help him, even for a short time. He's definitely picked up after the bit of Metacam this morning, a little more active and has the odd nibble at hay/grass/pellets. I'm still having to syringe feed him though.

The antibiotics cited are not for eye treatment but the best (and strongest) against guinea pig abscesses, especially those in places that are not easy get to operating out or lancing.

My Dylan was on two courses of Zithromax and maximum metacam over the end of the year holidays when he came down with a brewing jaw abscess that was not yet developed enough to be lanced; thankfully for him that did the trick and the abscess has stayed put since. He lost his appetite completely right at the end of it so I had to syringe feed around the clock - but in view of what could have been (and dental abscesses being my personal nemesis) it was a small price to pay.
I am very grateful to @furryfriends (TEAS) for her support during this time. She is our 'Abscess Queen'!

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow!

 

[Dom R]

The antibiotics cited are not for eye treatment but the best (and strongest) against guinea pig abscesses, especially those in places that are not easy get to operating out or lancing.

My Dylan was on two courses of Zithromax and maximum metacam over the end of the year holidays when he came down with a brewing jaw abscess that was not yet developed enough to be lanced; thankfully for him that did the trick and the abscess has stayed put since. He lost his appetite completely right at the end of it so I had to syringe feed around the clock - but in view of what could have been (and dental abscesses being my personal nemesis) it was a small price to pay.
I am very grateful to @furryfriends (TEAS) for her support during this time. She is our 'Abscess Queen'!

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow!

Thank you! I'll update once I get home tomorrow, hopefully the vet will agree with giving him something a bit stronger too, and definitely some Metacam.

I'm grateful to to everyone on this forum, always really helpful with advice and things, I'm glad to be on here!

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

The antibiotics I mention aren't licensed for guinea pigs, but I've used them many times, over many years and they have worked wonders for anything abscess related. When Benjamin had a retrobulbar abscess we initially started him on Zithromax, and although that held things at bay, we weren't seeing any significant improvement. After changing to the combination of Marbocyl and Metronidazole, Benjamin's eye improved. He was on antibiotics for many weeks, to make sure we had definitely eradicated the abscess.

Marbocyl is a tablet and Zithromax and Metronidazole are liquid.

Here is a video showing me giving Zoltan Marbocyl and Metronidazole

Medicating your guinea pig - Instructional video on Facebook