poorly eye :(

[Hanna]

This eveing i have taken my pig to the vets, to be told she has a protruding eye which is swollen and she is blind in the eye to. The vet hasn't really given me much on the options it's either
1 - have the eye operated on to remove it
2 - have her put to sleep

Just wondering does anyone have any advice on this? or been in the same situation?
My pig is 7 years old which i know is a good age, she seems generally ok eating, drinking and pottering about her cage. It is such an awful position to be in.

 

[piggyfan]

What on earth? My Marble is blind in one eye and she is totally fine. I do not understand why that is a reason to put a guinea pig down. Is does not effect their health in any way. Why cant it just be left? I would take her to another vet as this sounds very odd to me.

 

[Midge&Panda]

Cant understand why the vet would say that, aslong as your piggy is otherwise healthy and the eye isn't bothering her .... Saying that though my old girl Sherbet was plagued with eye problems throughout her life. She had cataracts in both as well as uvitis (sp) as well as glaucoma - which caused the eye to swell/ protrude. This was controlled with eye drops. Sherbet lived very well with limited sight she had to be pts at 5 (unrelated illness).If the piggy were mine I would be seeking a second opinion.

 

[Wiebke]

I would get another vet's opinion. Have you got a small animal specialist within your reach?

At the very worst, the eye can be removed and your piggy can go happily through life with just one eye, but it may not be necessary at all!

I am currently on cataract piggy #6, and whether they have had only one cataract or went virtually blind on both sides, they still had and have a happy and perfectly normal life!

 

[Hanna]

Thankyou for you advice everyone
I'm going to see how she goes the next couple of days then decide if I want to get a second opinion. Tonight she is a little wary when you open her cage or go to touch her so I think her trip to the vets has upset / stressed her a little. The vet did squeeze her eye a fair bit & the poor little thing was squeaking a bit must be very painful for her but I will keep a close eye on her now.

 

[AndreaJane]

Sounds like you need a new vet. My Mr M became blind as a bat and it didn't create any problems for him. Just keep all of her cage stuff in the same place so she knows where it is and start using vocal cues for her so she knows what's about to happen and won't be so jumpy, she'll soon get used to it.
x

 

[Glynis]

Hi Hanna and little piggie welcome to the forum
Really sorry to hear about your dear old lady
What area are you in? maybe someone could recommend a cavy savvy vet.
Sending some healing wheeeeeeeks for your little girl xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Best of luck let us know how things go.......

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x

 

[Abi_nurse]

If the eye is prolapsing and has a lot of pressure in it then it will be painful. I understand why your vet has given you these options. I would see another vet for a second opinion and see if there are any other treatments available. If not it may be best to have the eye out and she would be much more comfortable and can live a perfectly normal life afterwards.

x.

 

[Hanna]

Just an update in boo's progress..
She was quite down in the dumps after her vist to the vet but over the last couple of days she is returning to normal squeeking when we open the fridge,eating and drinking as well as pottering about her cage being quite active.
We are finding that bathing the poorly eye is keeping it clean and being blind in that eye isn't stopping boo doing anything
Glynis -- I am based in the Stourbridge / Kidderminster area if anyone can recommend a vet for me?
Thanks for the advice everyone really appreciate it x

 

[piggyfan]

That is wonderful to hear! I am so happy to hear she is doing well.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Just an update in boo's progress..
She was quite down in the dumps after her vist to the vet but over the last couple of days she is returning to normal squeeking when we open the fridge,eating and drinking as well as pottering about her cage being quite active.
We are finding that bathing the poorly eye is keeping it clean and being blind in that eye isn't stopping boo doing anything
Glynis -- I am based in the Stourbridge / Kidderminster area if anyone can recommend a vet for me?
Thanks for the advice everyone really appreciate it x

Aw, she sounds as though she's coping really well - it's us who have the breakdowns I find
If you can travel a bit, there is an exotic vet in Shifnal - Chris Marshall at Taylor and Marshall practise who's a Rodentologist and has an excellent reputation. Not been there myself but have registered our piggies with this practise for any future 'specialist' needs they may have.