More eye drops

[Guineapigfeet]

Rey was at the vets this morning after another eye injury. She managed to get the left eye this time! The last one was 3 years ago but it doesn’t feel that long! Another course of drops and back on Thursday to see how it’s going.

She was so well behaved - I think she even fooled the vet that she’s a cuddly pig! She let me pick her up without hiding under her sisters or squeeling and she sat in my arms nicely and let the vet put the dye in her eye and then she cuddled up under my chin whilst the vet chatted. I think she was quite taken by her and she said she was in beautiful condition (of course!)

So far she’s had two sets of 1-2 drops today and will get another three before bed, then it’s on to three times a day. She’s been quite good so far for the first drop but not good for the second one!

 

[Wiebke]

All the best! Eye injuries are sadly very common as hay is by far the biggest food source.

 

[Guineapigfeet]

Thank you. Yes, I think I’m fairly lucky really, none of the others have had one - it’s just Rey and she is the one who’ll dive into piles of hay! Can’t really avoid it entirely, just gotta deal with it when it happens

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. Yes, I think I’m fairly lucky really, none of the others have had one - it’s just Rey and she is the one who’ll dive into piles of hay! Can’t really avoid it entirely, just gotta deal with it when it happens

I have my own divers, and even though I am trying to supply soft hay for their hay trays, incidents can happen. On the other hand, burrowing and sleeping snuggled in hay is one of the greatest pleasures you can give a piggy... So it is a matter of keeping an eye out for wonky eyes and seeing a vet promptly.

I also use artificial tear gel (like visco tears) to help keeping an injured eye hydrated, especially with more severe injuries and infections that have penetrated deeper into the eye; it helps with the healing process after a vet recommendation/prescription and a discussion as to the why. You can give them up to 6 times a day depending on the severity of the injury, but not until at least half an hour after applying antibiotic eye drops/gel in order to allow that to be fully absorbed first.
The gel tends to have a longer lasting effect compared to drops and is easier to apply in my experience. You can easily get it in any pharmacy as long as you don't say it is for your guinea pig!

It is important to note that tear gel is not a replacement for medicated antibiotic eye drops and that any eye injury needs to be vet checked promptly as they can deteriorate very quickly; the damage can be much larger than visible to the naked eye.