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Help with an old guinea pig

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EpidemicMoon

EpidemicMoon

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I have a guinea pig who is around 10 years old, she has been very well taken care of, but I've noticed a significant weightloss with her lately. She still eats/drinks and squeals when she wants a treat as she normally did, but I noticed she still kind of shutting down. She has a black crust in the corner of her eyes that no matter what I do keeps coming back. I think she may be starting to lose her eye sight... I'm very worried about her, I don't have the money to take her to a vet, she's never been ill or hurt. I know she's old, but I just want to know if maybe she's sick and not just, well old.
 
Wow thats an amazing age for a piggy - if you get housing or council tax benefit contact the blue cross animal hospital - you should be entitled to free treatment at their animal hospital if there is one near you - or if there is no hospital near you you might well qualify for a payment towards vets fees (they will pay the vet direct ) please give them a call to see where you stand - cant be of any more help I am afraid.
 
Thanks, that totally slipped my mind. I'll have to call tomorrow I'm afraid as it's Sunday. Hopefully, they can help. I tried calling an actual vet a few weeks ago, wanted me to pay 100$ just to have her looked at, that wasn't how much it would be if there was something seriously wrong.

She is very old for a piggy, but I don't want her moving on because she sick, if it's because she's old then there's really nothing I can do then take care of her as I have her whole life.
 
(((((hugs))))) Hope you can sort a vet out, it does sound like she might be winding down a bit though. With regards her eyesight, they do cope very well without it or if it's impaired. If the vet does find a reason for her weight loss ( has she had her molars checked recently? ) and can help you may want to get some Oxbow Critical care for her to help keep her weight up.
If the vet can't find anything wrong and she's happy in herself and not suffering ( and those are the most important things ) all you can do really is make sure she's comfortable and has a good quality of life until she's ready to go over the bridge. x
 
Maybe try bathing the eye with pre boiled AND COOLED down water, gently wipe away from the eye. She may need some ointment to clear this up?
Yes if you can take her for a check up just to make sure it's nothing else.
Such a wonderful age x)
 
AndreaJane said:
(((((hugs))))) Hope you can sort a vet out, it does sound like she might be winding down a bit though. With regards her eyesight, they do cope very well without it or if it's impaired. If the vet does find a reason for her weight loss ( has she had her molars checked recently? ) and can help you may want to get some Oxbow Critical care for her to help keep her weight up.
If the vet can't find anything wrong and she's happy in herself and not suffering ( and those are the most important things ) all you can do really is make sure she's comfortable and has a good quality of life until she's ready to go over the bridge. x
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I'll keep everyone posted, can't call until tomorrow.

Glynis said:
Maybe try bathing the eye with pre boiled AND COOLED down water, gently wipe away from the eye. She may need some ointment to clear this up?
Yes if you can take her for a check up just to make sure it's nothing else.
Such a wonderful age x)
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I managed to wipe her eyes, although I'm a bit worried. I wiped them and chunks of fur came with it..
 
Hermes said:
Is the crust forming in her eye or on the skin around it? I'm no expert but just wondered if it could be a fungal infection if it's on the skin.

These links may help give an idea of what's wrong but I'd recommend trying to get her seen by a vet.

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

http://www.guinealynx.info/eyes.html
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I don't believe it is, but I'm no expert. She isn't exhibiting any signs that it would be an infection. It's forming in the corner of her eyes, maybe on the skin? I just know it's black an a few times it's taken hair with it.
 
I looked more in to the fungal infections, and it seems as though that could be it. Is there anything I can do for her at home until I have a change to see vet? If I even can, I really don't have the money.
 
There are suggestions for the treatment of fungal infections here - http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html#top

You could try the shampoo and anti-fungal cream (obviously being careful not to get it in her eyes). These things are available OTC/at a chemist and would be cheaper than getting a veterinary consult but I wouldn't recommend home treatment unless you know what you're doing.
 
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She was being suborn and didn't want her picture taken. There's some pictures of her eyes.
 
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