Is my guinea pig blind?

[SaffronC17]

Lately I have this feeling that my pig Felix might be blind. His eyes always seem to be looking behind him and always in the same place every time I look at him. Lately his been squealing when I pick him up like he didn't know I was there until I touch him. And when I put him on the bed he runs around aimlessly until he hears my voice then he runs to me and curls up in my lap like he couldn't find me. He also seems to lick everyone to find out who they are even if it's me and my boyfriend who hold him every day. I don't know if this is just me making a fuss of nothing but has anyone had any experience with blind piggies?

 

[Reenie]

It's difficult to tell. It sounds like he could be, but your best bet would be to get a vet to check. I used to volunteer in a sanctuary where they had several blind piggies, some of which I fostered, and they managed just fine. Maybe have the cage on one level, and keep things in the same place, but sight is not a Guinea pig's primary sense like it is ours. They rely a lot more on hearing and smell, so if he does turn out to be blind, he'll be absolutely fine.
You don't say if has a friend. That would help a lot.

 

[YvonneBlue]

Please take your piggy to a vet. It may be something curable buy the longer it is left the less chance there is that any treatment would work.
Our friends have a blind piggy who manages perfectly well, mainly by following around his piggy friend.

 

[Wiebke]

Lately I have this feeling that my pig Felix might be blind. His eyes always seem to be looking behind him and always in the same place every time I look at him. Lately his been squealing when I pick him up like he didn't know I was there until I touch him. And when I put him on the bed he runs around aimlessly until he hears my voice then he runs to me and curls up in my lap like he couldn't find me. He also seems to lick everyone to find out who they are even if it's me and my boyfriend who hold him every day. I don't know if this is just me making a fuss of nothing but has anyone had any experience with blind piggies?

Hi!

I would have him vet checked to see whether he is reacting to light reflexes or not. Blind piggies generally compensate with their other senses, especially hearing and smell and do not get lost in their normal surroundings. They follow their own (or other piggies') scent spoors and can smell their hideys so you can change the layout of your cage as long as you do not scent-wipe it. they can even cope with shallow ramps, as long as they ar covered in a good scent-retaining material as my own cataract piggies have proven and can also still happily free-roam.

 

[Merab]

I had a blind piggy - Merab was blind due to cataracts for the last few years of her life.
She coped perfectly well.
Let us know what the vet says about your handsome Felix

 

[SaffronC17]

It's difficult to tell. It sounds like he could be, but your best bet would be to get a vet to check. I used to volunteer in a sanctuary where they had several blind piggies, some of which I fostered, and they managed just fine. Maybe have the cage on one level, and keep things in the same place, but sight is not a Guinea pig's primary sense like it is ours. They rely a lot more on hearing and smell, so if he does turn out to be blind, he'll be absolutely fine.
You don't say if has a friend. That would help a lot.

Yeah all his cage is one level and he does live with his brother Dash but his brother can be a bit of a jerk to him sometimes. Felix just wants cuddles all the time but Dash doesn't and makes that very clear