I'm new to the forum and nees help!?

[Lil-Ninnibig]

Hi all, i have a 3 year old guineapig named ditto, hes had a bad eye for the last few weeks, the vet says theres a tiny ulcer and gave me some eye ointment , ive been applying it twice a day but have seen no difference its no better or worse? ... His eye has receding and ia visibly smaller than the other, theres no discharge, but he does tend to squint the eye alot? He does have slight pea/fatty eye in the bad eye also. Could the receding be a direct result of the pea eye and ulcer or is there something more sinister? :-( ... Hes eating and drinking and seems happy.. The vet charges me £30 for the consultation and ointment and i *** afford to keep taking him back, so i thought id ask if anyone else has had a similar problem?... And is there any home remedies i can try as the vets is not only expensive but ditto gets so stressed at the vets.. I dont want my little man suffering but i also dont want ripping off... Thoughts please xx

 

[Sodapops]

Unfortunately vets fees come hand in hand with owning a pet and are un-avoidable.

I recently had to take one of my girls to the vet after a hay poke - the total cost for this visit was £55.00 - that included a consultation and two lots of eye ointment - she has to go back again in 4 days - so another consultation fee.

Have you got a vet fund? I have a specific credit card that is used for emergency vets visits and i also put a little aside in a jar each day/week to help with costs...

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

Unfortunately vets fees come hand in hand with owning a pet and are un-avoidable.

I recently had to take one of my girls to the vet after a hay poke - the total cost for this visit was £55.00 - that included a consultation and two lots of eye ointment - she has to go back again in 4 days - so another consultation fee.

Have you got a vet fund? I have a specific credit card that is used for emergency vets visits and i also put a little aside in a jar each day/week to help with costs...

hi , i fully understand that vet cost are part of responsible pet ownership however due to the current recession i have had my hours cut at work and although i have the money for the vets fee and i wont allow any of my pets to suffer i think the prices they charge are disgusting plus the ointment prescribed hasnt worked, my post was basically asking if anyone has had the same eye problem ie-receding due to fatty eye or ulcer.. As the vet didnt seem to have a clue what was wrong with the eye. And i begrudge paying £30 for less than 10 mins of his time when there may be a possibility of some kind of treatment at home. If not then if hes no better come monday he will be back at the vets i can assure you as i wouldnt allow him to suffer he would have to come before the tv licence or council tax I'm afraid... Help on the EYE ISSUE would be greatly apreciated :-D

 

[Claire W]

Hi
I have no experience with pea eye myself but I have had a pig who suffered from hay pokes. Her eye cleared up with in a few days of using the eye drops. In some cases, you can use human eye drops for a hay poke but the ointment your vet gave you should be working. If the hay poke is a bad one, it may take longer to heal especially if there is an ulcer. You have to be careful that the eye doesn't get infected.

I really think you should go back to your vets Good luck

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am very sorry, but a receding eye means soreness and pain - and a vet visit.

Unfortunately, vets are not allowed to prescribe eye medication without consultation, as they are such delicate organs that can be ruined if treated wrongly or on spec.

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

Thanku , i think a vet trip is in order again :-( the eye isnt infectes there no obvious sign of pain ie - redness, discharge etc. The eyebal itself looks healthy other than a teeny tiny ulcer, it has just receded whereas the other like popa out abit like it always has? Very strange, the eye ointment if fuci-something. Hes has ointment now for 8 days with no change .... He is happy in himself popcorning and squeking away when he hears the veg bag being moved or his hay rack filled

.. Ive read on the internet that bad eyea can be a sign of a dental issue however the vet said his teeth appear fine, he has no facial swelling and he loves me stroking his face and chin so *** be in pain with mouth/teeth? I dont no i may try a different vet? :-/

 

[Squidge]

Eyes can sometimes take a few weeks to heal, and if he's only been on it for just over a week you could have to wait a little bit longer to see any signs of change.

But I think the fact that his eye has receded more over the week does warrant a vet visit and possibly an x-ray to check that there are no dental issues or anything else going on.

If you're not happy with your vet then see if you can find another in your area.

 

[The Source of Cucumber]

I recommend you try a different vet, and make sure they are experienced with guinea pigs.

The costs are unavoidable; I spent £1,000 in vet fees one year of just one guinea pig. I've had others that have never had to visit a vet. At the end of the day, vets spend years and years at university studying a very difficult and expensive degree, then have all the operating costs of a surgery and equipment. They have the right to charge a high fee for all that expertise.

If you can't afford vet fees, then question whether you are the right person to give a home to an animal.

If you are on benefits, the PDSA can help you.

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

I recommend you try a different vet, and make sure they are experienced with guinea pigs.

The costs are unavoidable; I spent £1,000 in vet fees one year of just one guinea pig. I've had others that have never had to visit a vet. At the end of the day, vets spend years and years at university studying a very difficult and expensive degree, then have all the operating costs of a surgery and equipment. They have the right to charge a high fee for all that expertise.

If you can't afford vet fees, then question whether you are the right person to give a home to an animal.

If you are on benefits, the PDSA can help you.

I can afford vet fees and i do not get benefits i work full time although hours have been cut :-( and i do not take to kindly to your comment of whether i am the right person to give an animal home just because i think the vet fees are ridiculous. Yes they train hard and it costs them to train to be a vet however i think £19 to look at a guineapigs eye with a torch and say " oh yes hes had an injury to eye" which i could clearly see for myself hence y i had taken him to the vets! Is alittle excessive! I dont mind paying for treatments however much it costs but £19 to look at an animal is ridiculous and whem i take ditto back monday i have to pay a 2nd consultation fee even though hes seen the eye and knows the problem? The money it costs a vet to train i am sure they earn back in less than 2 years and after that majority of there earnings are profit, hence why my vet drives a £40,000 brand new 4x4 . i personally think vets take advantage of owners who care for there pets. I dont mind payin a consultation fee but £19 is ridiculous i have to work 3 hours as a carer for a vet to charge me that for less than 10 mins i think is disgraceful thats all. So dittp will be back at the vets monday but a different vets for a 2nd opinion

 

[BonBon2010]

My Liquorice has been going to the vets for the last 2 months with eye issues, we've now narrowed it down to a blocked tear duct, I think she initially punctured her eye in reaction to an itchy eye possibly caused by conjunctivitis, which was caused by the blocked duct..
My vets don't see many gp's and refer to Rabbits when ever treating a condition, which could allow for a lot of mistakes, as the two species couldn't be more different, anatomy wise too.
I think i've spent over £100 and it's still mounting, she has to go back next week for another check up, but I refuse to let the vet start poking and prodding her, as although she doesn't freak out, like some gp's do, she goes into her shell and becomes really depressed for a day or so after, not eating properly, and hiding in the house. He says the eye ball itself has healed, and we're currently trying a different course of action to reduce the inflammation of her tear duct, and get it flowing again.
Have a look at my thread 'Liquorice rushed to the vets', Piggyfan is also a fab help, I can't thank her enough, she's saved my piggy from being put under GA for something I know isn't even connected to her current problem.
For £7 my vet put dye in her eye, examined both eyes (comparing) took her down stairs, put some atheshetic drops in her eye to try and have a proper look, all this took 20 mins.. so yes I think you were over charged.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I'm pretty poorly paid too & I have just spent £20 for a vet consultation for my 3 piggies to get treatment for mange mites, the treatment was another £20 so it has cost me £40 just to get mites under control. If you feel your vet isn't doing a good job, have a look on here for recommended vets in your area.

However having said that I feel it was £40 well spent as the vet was very knowledgeable, I have had no previous experience of mange mites & would rather spend the money than guess at what it was & perhaps treat it incorrectly at home only to have to visit a vet later & need more intense treatment to get them better. I would much rather spend that amount now than have to spend hundreds later if I had delayed it. The best thing I heard the vet say was "You have caught it very early, well done!"

Mange mites can be very severe & cause fits & ultimately death. Same with eye problems, treating them early will save your piggy's sight & also the cost of expensive operations like eye removal, the antibiotics etc that accompany it.

And of course early treatment means minimal suffering for our beloved pets which is the most important thing of all

 

[Dusty_bugs]

it's a tricky one! I've been to the vets before about diffuse fatty lumps, only for them to tell me they dont know what to do and I was then asked what *I* wanted to do! Different vet time.

If I get a treatment out of it - I consider it worth the 20 squid. My vets usually do an allover whilst I'm there so it feels quite comprehensive. I would maybe see this guy one more time, if he throws up the big question mark and you leave without any solution I would let them know you're changing vets and why. As far as I am concerned if they have not provided any service what-so-ever they should only charge half for their time. That way you are saying you're grateful they looked but they couldnt help any more than the next door neighbour could. But that's my personal opinion. You should pay for what you get, not for the privaledge of their company. And maybe the money and time, sweat and tears they put in to their job is exceptional.. but the job's about animal care and not 40k 4x4's.. I agree with you on that.

I suppose the majority of the pay goes to the upkeep of the equipment, and the majority of the calls they get are for check ups so if they charged a vastly reduced amount for say 40% of their visits they may not be able to uphold their standards as easily. And what vet would accept working for less than their competitors. Hmm.. mini rant.

so yeah, one more shot with this guy and then cruise for better if things aren't evolving. good luck.. and I hope piggy's eye get's better soon!

 

[lily 74]

I can afford vet fees and i do not get benefits i work full time although hours have been cut :-( and i do not take to kindly to your comment of whether i am the right person to give an animal home just because i think the vet fees are ridiculous. Yes they train hard and it costs them to train to be a vet however i think £19 to look at a guineapigs eye with a torch and say " oh yes hes had an injury to eye" which i could clearly see for myself hence y i had taken him to the vets! Is alittle excessive! I dont mind paying for treatments however much it costs but £19 to look at an animal is ridiculous and whem i take ditto back monday i have to pay a 2nd consultation fee even though hes seen the eye and knows the problem? The money it costs a vet to train i am sure they earn back in less than 2 years and after that majority of there earnings are profit, hence why my vet drives a £40,000 brand new 4x4 . i personally think vets take advantage of owners who care for there pets. I dont mind payin a consultation fee but £19 is ridiculous i have to work 3 hours as a carer for a vet to charge me that for less than 10 mins i think is disgraceful thats all. So dittp will be back at the vets monday but a different vets for a 2nd opinion

I totally agree with you about vet consultation fees, and unlike a cat or dog insuring a guinea pig is alot harder! Most vets hat deal with cats and dogs don't know about guinea pigs I had some wrong advice from one vet I paid out £30 for him to tell me that!.

Your best bet is to find a vet that is trained in exotic animal care then you don't mind paying the extra.

Where are you based?

 

[Claire W]

Vets consultation fees are ridiculous but I also think it depends on the area, competition and expertise etc.

My own vet charges £6.50 per rabbit / guinea pig for nail clipping although I am very rarely charged full price (I have four pigs) I also get a health check included. A consultation is roughly £25 but if I have to go back for a revisit for the same problem, I am not charged another full concentration.

The vets where I do my placement charge £10 per rabbit / guinea pig for nail clipping and nearly £30 for a consultation. This vets however are more experienced with exotics, are located in a posh area and there are not many other practices around there.

Anyway, the OP was simply asking advice whether they should take their pig back to the vets and asking advice on eyes. He / she is not a poor owner for asking advice before going back to the vets

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

My Liquorice has been going to the vets for the last 2 months with eye issues, we've now narrowed it down to a blocked tear duct, I think she initially punctured her eye in reaction to an itchy eye possibly caused by conjunctivitis, which was caused by the blocked duct..
My vets don't see many gp's and refer to Rabbits when ever treating a condition, which could allow for a lot of mistakes, as the two species couldn't be more different, anatomy wise too.
I think i've spent over £100 and it's still mounting, she has to go back next week for another check up, but I refuse to let the vet start poking and prodding her, as although she doesn't freak out, like some gp's do, she goes into her shell and becomes really depressed for a day or so after, not eating properly, and hiding in the house. He says the eye ball itself has healed, and we're currently trying a different course of action to reduce the inflammation of her tear duct, and get it flowing again.
Have a look at my thread 'Liquorice rushed to the vets', Piggyfan is also a fab help, I can't thank her enough, she's saved my piggy from being put under GA for something I know isn't even connected to her current problem.
For £7 my vet put dye in her eye, examined both eyes (comparing) took her down stairs, put some atheshetic drops in her eye to try and have a proper look, all this took 20 mins.. so yes I think you were over charged.

thanku :-) it is very distressing taking ditto to the vets hes fine until the vet starts man-handling him and touching his face. He hates it and gets so stressed :'( .... And £7 is more acceptable :-) i feel very ripped off ... Especialy as the eye ointment ive been given isnt even working.

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

I totally agree with you about vet consultation fees, and unlike a cat or dog insuring a guinea pig is alot harder! Most vets hat deal with cats and dogs don't know about guinea pigs I had some wrong advice from one vet I paid out £30 for him to tell me that!.

Your best bet is to find a vet that is trained in exotic animal care then you don't mind paying the extra.

Where are you based?

I'm based in sheffield :-)

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

The eye ointment ive been given is fucithalmic ... Has anyone ever been prescribed this ? I just cant understand why an ulcer would cause the eye to recede? Ive googled it and all images show a normal eye juat clouded over by the ulcer none show a gp with a receded eye as a result of an ulcer. I'm concerned the issue may be more sinister however the vet checked his teeth and said there was no sign of malloclusion or abscess.... Hmmmm ?

 

[BonBon2010]

Liquorice has been on that (I didn't think it's strong enough to deal with her eye problem), in conjunction with antibiotic baytril. She's now on Voltarol optha eye drops and tiacil.. But he only did this when he was sure her eye had healed, as the treatment could irritate and restart a wound which was now healing..
Tiacil might intially help, but can cause a reaction of the eye over healing, this happened twice with Liquorice, I had to stop using it immediately, and let the eye recover, hopefully I won't get the same reaction this time........

 

[Claire W]

My Eliza has been on fucithalmic twice and it worked both times. It is the common eye ointment that vets prescribe for animal use although most will stock others.