Blind Pig?

[Bean_piggies]

I think my guinea pig may be blind? I don't know for sure yet but usually whenever I try giving her food she doesn't notice it's in front of her unless I bump her with it or she's face to face with the food, she sometimes doesn't realize I'm in front of her unless my hand or finger is in front of her face, I'm not sure if she actually is blind or if she's just not that very observant She doesn't show any worrying signs just that she sometimes doesn't notice when things are in front of her. Is this something I should take her to the vets for?

 

[Freela]

Most guinea pigs don't have the greatest vision to start with and they don't rely on it very much. The good news is that this means that they don't have that hard a time adjusting if they do lose vision. It's really hard to say from your description... I've had pigs develop cataracts, but I've also had pigs who I know full well can see drop food and 'lose' it when it's right there, mostly because they are overzealously back to mooching for a new piece of food. Personally the first thing I've noticed with my pigs who developed cataracts was poor depth perception and trouble with ramps and being overly cautious with ramps after a couple of misjudged leaps. Your vet can check for cataracts, but I don't think an urgent assessment is required if the pig is otherwise healthy and normal and both eyes look normal (i.e. no discharge, no cloudiness or blue tint to the eye to indicate a hay poke.)

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

Guinea pigs' eyes are on the side of their heads giving them a big field of vision, but they don't see things right before them.
They can dedect the slightest movement around them though, so it could be that a blind piggy doesn't react to movement as much. But they have an excellent sense of hearing and smell and their whiskers as well, so it's really hard to say if a piggy is blind.
Like written above blind piggies have troubles using ramps and judging leaps and can react badly to a new environment. (But my late boar Muffin who had at least very bad eye sight loved everything new in the cage. )

If you notice any visibel change in your piggy's eyes please take her to a vet asap.

 

[Free Ranger]

Hair makes a difference. Louise can see fine but can't see what's right in front of her face because she's got such a massive fluffy nose! I offer her a veggie chunk by touching it to her lips as she snuffles about.


Some piggies do have poor eyesight but some also have a bit of a 'freeze' response when we come near. If she's a recently arrived piggy that might be happening but if you've had her quit a few months and she's settled in she should have realised by now that you're more likely to be bringing food or hay!

There are piggies known as 'lethal whites' which are known for poor eyesight, small eyes or even no eyes. It's a type of genetic problem caused by recessive genes so both parents can look completely normal. These pigs often have dental and other problems too (the eyesight thing is often not one of their major problems!) but they too can live fulfilling lives with that bit of extra care. Lethal whites are not the same as the quite normal pink-eyed or dark-eyed whites. I've had both of these types and they are exactly the same as any other colour piggy! Here's a forum link if you need more information https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/roans-dalmatians-and-lethals-explained.51194/

Some forum piggies with poor eyesight are bonded with seeing companions who take the lead and look after them, which I think is lovely

 

[alpacasqueak]

Like written above blind piggies have troubles using ramps and judging leaps and can react badly to a new environment. (But my late boar Muffin who had at least very bad eye sight loved everything new in the cage. )

Yes Luigi is the same, cataracts aren’t going to get in the way of him being a troublemaker on both floors of the cage!

 

[Bean_piggies]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I think it's just the fact that she's always looking up, since she has a floor cage she's used to seeing me from the ground up, I've had her since last December and she seems like a relatively healthy pig, but if anything of concern shows up I'll definitely take her to the vets!