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Harold and his cataracts

Jess565

Jess565

Junior Guinea Pig
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It's nearly been a month from when I noticed Harold had some clouding in his right eye. On his first visit to the vet he did have damage to his eye and we had eye drops for a week. This did clear up the damage but his eye had developed a large cataract. After a look in his other eye there was slight clouding and the vet felt that this was possibly the issue and he had damaged it by bumping into something. Diabetes was mentioned when she asked if he drank alot of water but after a investigation his bottle has been leaking (his brother will only drink from a dish so I know how much each piggy drinks) and he has steadily gained weight since we got him and he currently weighs a chunky 1450g! So after the month poor Harold has now developed big cataracts in both his eyes and I presume he is just about blind. I am shocked how quickly this has happened. I'm not sure what is the best way to treat him now so we have just continued our usual routine and have even allowed him to play out around the house as normal. He is alot more cautious but seems to be getting used to it. Bruno is helpful but gets a naught streak and will lead Harold between the C&C stand and will leave him there! it looks like he has put him in jail and he can't get out!
I'm unsure if there is anymore we can do and if it's worth reaching out to the vet, I feel strange that he has lost his sight and I don't seem to be doing anything to help him. I've attached a picture from 11th of Nov and one from last week of the difference
 

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Oh poor Harold, his cataracts are very noticeable on the second photo. Animals are amazing how they adapt to situations, far better than humans do. He will probably learn his way around his cage very quickly. He also has the company of his mate, who he can hear and smell, even if he does play the occasional trick on him. His food will taste just as good to him and he will still know the sound of your kind voice x
 
Blind piggies tend to do well as long as they have a sighted companion. Keep their cage and exercise areas the same layout so that he can recognise where he is. Piggies have pretty poor eyesight at the best of times, sense of smell, touch (whiskers) and hearing are far more important senses to them.
 
Cataracts are not uncommon in pigs and there really does not seem to be much in the way of options for treating them. The good news is that pigs do not rely on eyesight very much and once he adjusts, he should live a normal life. One of my past pigs, Sundae, developed cataracts around age 4 and lived to be almost 7 and did just fine (after an adjustment period where she had difficulty with depth perception and things- ironically I think she did better once she had no vision than she did with partial vision!) Any my current 4-year-old pig, Hadley, is also developing cataracts now and is adjusting well, except for a couple of misjudged distance issues getting in and out of the cage. At least he is in good company... there are a lot of poorly-sighted pigs out that that do okay for themselves.
 
My past piggy Sheepy had the same problem, first one went then the other within about 5weeks.
He did brilliantly though, had his Guide Pig Reggie to help him out :)
I didn't move stuff around in the cage too much but he prob would have been ok anyway tbh, coped really well, was probably me that worried more than him!
 
He's sticking very close to Bruno when he's unsure of something. This was new for him to find grass in his house!
 

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Aw, Bruno is so supportive x look at them side by side, that melts my heart ❣
The grass is a really nice find for them both, how thoughtful are you x
 
Bruno is the kindest guinea I've ever known, he looked after Ted when he was ill and in the end dying and now he's helping Harold feel safe and find his way around (most of the time)
 
Jess565 said:
He's sticking very close to Bruno when he's unsure of something. This was new for him to find grass in his house!
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It really helps to have a sighted friend to follow! I found that Sundae (who was a very docile pig who followed the boss around anyhow) just stuck really close to Hadley when she lost her sight. She was kind of nervous and stuck closely to Hadley anyhow! Now that Hadley herself is going blind, I think she still wants to lead but isn't quite sure where she's going when she is getting in and out of the cage, so little Leela keeps getting out ahead of her. I'm sure it drives her nuts! I think she finds it undignified to follow her subordinate around! ;)
 
Cataracts are not a serious problem for a piggy.
My Merab had cataracts for the last years of her life and coped perfectly well.
She always found food, still came out to play, still got her own way.
She was a bit more cautious and a bit slower but part of that was age as well.
I’m sure that handsome Harold will do just fine
 
Merab's Slave said:
She always found food, still came out to play, still got her own way.
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Yes Harold is just cracking on and never misses his food! And he seems happy and still popcorns around.
I have had a look at past posts on here and seen how well Merab lived with it and it's nice to see it's just guinea business as usual for them.
I think now it's just me being a worrier for him
 
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