Hi everyone. I’m a new piggy owner and it’s my first post. I’ve had my two little piggies — Ginger and Snap — for about 2 weeks now. They’re both boys and I got them from a Pets at Home store when they were 11 weeks old.
On day 2, I woke up and Ginger’s eye was suddenly red around the outside and very swollen/bulbous. It happened over night as it was okay before. Took him to emergency vet who said it was probably hay poke and gave some eye drops, and said to bring him back in 5 days.
The next vet I saw, after the eye drops had shown some improvement and the eye was a lot less red and swollen, said that he was completely blind in that eye (it’s very misty and he did reaction tests) and that the actual eyeball was big and swollen, which may mean there is something pushing it out. He said the only 2 options were surgery to have the eye removed, and he may not survive the anaesthetic because he’s so tiny, or to have him PTS.
I was shocked as he is a very happy little Guinea pig, and I had thought the eye was looking better — albeit he has lost vision. He eats plenty and plays fine with his brother and popcorns around the cage quite happily. It’s hard to say because I’ve only had him 2 weeks but he really doesn’t seem in pain or like the eye is annoying him.
I’ve been giving him antibiotics and anti inflammatories for the past few days under the vets advice, and the surrounding skin around the eye looks much better. The eye is still big but it’s nothing like I’ve seen some piggies have (I’ve been researching online!)
Pets at Home have agreed to foot the bill so it’s not a money issue right now. I just feel very hesitant to put him through a traumatic surgery or have him PTS when he’s just a baby and he seems… fine? I’ve also really bonded with him and he’s the sweetest little guy who loves being stroked and cuddled. My instinct is telling me an op isn’t right but I don’t know if it’s just wishful thinking.
Does anyone have any advice or similar experiences? Thank you so much
On day 2, I woke up and Ginger’s eye was suddenly red around the outside and very swollen/bulbous. It happened over night as it was okay before. Took him to emergency vet who said it was probably hay poke and gave some eye drops, and said to bring him back in 5 days.
The next vet I saw, after the eye drops had shown some improvement and the eye was a lot less red and swollen, said that he was completely blind in that eye (it’s very misty and he did reaction tests) and that the actual eyeball was big and swollen, which may mean there is something pushing it out. He said the only 2 options were surgery to have the eye removed, and he may not survive the anaesthetic because he’s so tiny, or to have him PTS.
I was shocked as he is a very happy little Guinea pig, and I had thought the eye was looking better — albeit he has lost vision. He eats plenty and plays fine with his brother and popcorns around the cage quite happily. It’s hard to say because I’ve only had him 2 weeks but he really doesn’t seem in pain or like the eye is annoying him.
I’ve been giving him antibiotics and anti inflammatories for the past few days under the vets advice, and the surrounding skin around the eye looks much better. The eye is still big but it’s nothing like I’ve seen some piggies have (I’ve been researching online!)
Pets at Home have agreed to foot the bill so it’s not a money issue right now. I just feel very hesitant to put him through a traumatic surgery or have him PTS when he’s just a baby and he seems… fine? I’ve also really bonded with him and he’s the sweetest little guy who loves being stroked and cuddled. My instinct is telling me an op isn’t right but I don’t know if it’s just wishful thinking.
Does anyone have any advice or similar experiences? Thank you so much
