Is My Guinea Pig Blind?

[kaycdee]

I wondered if anyone had any advice on what my 6 month old guinea is doing? He is a swiss and has red eyes. He is quite nervous still although getting a little braver but he seems to have this strange habit of lifting his head higher and higher and seeming to sniff the air. I have seen other pigs do this occasionally but Teddy does it a lot. He gets startled very easily. I wondered if he might be blind.

 

[Wiebke]

Try and see whether he reacts to sudden movements with your hands in front of each of his eyes on your lap. Also shine a pocket light on his eye; they should react to sudden light in a darkened room.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

I don't think you can make the diagnosis of sniffing the air to be blind. I agree with @Wiebke try to see if he reacts to sudden movements.
My friend's pig is blind, has cataracts in both eyes, but this you can tell, because the eyes go very pale and white; instead of black.

 

[Wiebke]

If in doubt, you will have to see a vet. Red eyes are not connected with bad sight; they are just a natural eye colour for guinea pigs and appear with different fur colours (especially white, gold and lilac shades)

 

[kaycdee]

Try and see whether he reacts to sudden movements with your hands in front of each of his eyes on your lap. Also shine a pocket light on his eye; they should react to sudden light in a darkened room.

Thanks, I'll give this a go tonight.