Cedric's Eye Problem - A Diary

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

There seems to have been lots of eye issues cropping up on the forum recently and now we have one of our own, so thought it would be useful to document exactly what happens.

Cedric is one of the TEAS temporary residents and his eye flared up overnight. Initially, we thought it may be something simple, like a case of conjunctivitis. We made a vet appointment for Cedric at 11.40am, and waited.

And then things changed.



Last night - no noticeable changes.



This morning, before the vet appointment. His eye was swelling so quickly, it was changing minute by minute.
Only four hours before, only the tiniest bit of membrane was visible.








Cedric was diagnosed with a retrobulbar abscess. He was prescribed:

Zithromax - 1ml once a day
Metacam - 0.25ml twice a day
Viscotears - to be administered hourly


He is fine in himself, just a little quieter than normal. He is still eating for himself, which is good. However, at this time we can't be sure how things will pan out. If he declines over the next 24 hours, we need to take him back. If there is no significant improvement over the next 48 hours, we also need to take him back. We can only remain hopeful that the meds will kick in and do their job. Time really is of the essence when it comes to saving eyes. Will update the thread as time goes on.

 

[helen105281]

I thought straight away that it looked like a Retrobulbar abscess but seems to have come on a lot faster than Tim's did, his was a good few days. I hope the Zithromax kicks in quickly and hope you can save his eye.

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Cedric's eye tonight. I think it looks far worse than the other pics because of the lighting. It does seem a bit more angry looking though. Will keep lubricating and hope for the best tomorrow.




He has filled his belly with grass, has been dosed up on all he can have and is curled up in his bed, asleep. He's dreaming because his ears are twitching...

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Just been down to administer some more Viscotears. Tried to do it all without putting lights on, but ended up turning the house into Blackpool illuminations and waking everyone up... Cedric seems fine still, in himself. Has been eating and carried on with his carrot as I left him. Will see what his eye looks like when I see him next and will post pictures in the morning.

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Day Two

And, it's off to the vets we go. Managing pretty well in himself, eating fine, but the changes in his eye overnight are major, despite hourly Viscotears yesterday and four lots between 11pm and 6am.

 

[helen105281]

That is really advancing fast, hope you get better news at the vets today.

 

[GPTV]

AWW poor Cedric that looks nasty, healing vibes by the bucket full &speedy recovery, luv the girls & I.xx

 

[sport_billy]

@MintyAndGarry (TEAS) How is he this evening?

Thank you for documenting this, it is really helpful and useful. Healing vibes to Cedric.

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Today was both a sad and a happy day. Unfortunately, because of the aggressive progression of the deterioration of Cedric's eye, despite the best efforts and a sleepless night, his eye could not be saved. @furryfriends (TEAS) and I took Cedric back to see Simon (he saw Kim yesterday). The swelling was advancing so quickly, that suturing the eye closed to try to save it was not an option. So, Cedric had his eye removed.

***Warning*** Graphic image added below. However, even though it is shocking, this is the reality of what can happen, even with the most prompt and appropriate initial treatment.


The operation went well - Simon was able to remove the whole abscess in one go, ensuring that none of it spilled out into Cedric's open eye socket. Cedric will continue with his meds (minus the Viscotears, obviously!) to ward off any pain and infection.

The poor boy has been through the mill today and is absolutely shattered...


But on the plus side, he is happily munching away, earlier on some grass and now on a broccoli stem! He is as bright as a button!





He has lost some weight he had worked hard to gain while he was treated for his dental issues, but if he carries on at this rate, he will soon be back on track! Will update tomorrow, with his recovery.

 

[helen105281]

Poor boy. I'm sorry he had to lose his eye and still amazed at how quickly it progressed. He must feel so much better now the pressure has gone though.

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Poor boy. I'm sorry he had to lose his eye and still amazed at how quickly it progressed. He must feel so much better now the pressure has gone though.

It really was scary how quickly it appeared and got so angry. It was almost morphing as you looked at it. He is snoozing next to me at the moment. Seems comfortable enough. Think a good bit of rest overnight will do him the world of good.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Awwwwww poor boy but so lucky to be able to get it sorted so quickly by Simon Sending lots of wheeks to him for a speedy recovery x

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Day Three

Woke up to a lounging Cedric this morning. I'd tucked him in last night with a half-heated heat pad at the bottom of his bed, so I'm not surprised he didn't want to get up! Seems his night of rest had done him the world of good. He'd clearly been pottering around and eating overnight, which was a relief.

We are flushing his eye twice daily, as directed - it has already started to close, so Cedric will need to see Simon again tomorrow, in order to keep access to his eye open over the weekend. It is discharging a small amount of pus, but this is to be expected at this stage.



Cedric is doing very well, wheeking his head off for his grass when the back door opened, exploring the conservatory and is generally into everything! His weight has taken a bit of a tumble, but the next few days will let us know if this is a continuing issue. However, he is eating well...not so many poops at the moment, but we will get that sorted.









Onwards and upwards! So proud of this boy!

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Second flushing of the day. Cedric is playing a full part in the preparation, as you can see! He is so good and just let us flush his eye socket - makes no fuss at all.



He's so full of life today, into everything! He's chirrupping away to himself as he's wandering about, too.


He's in a fresh bed, has been medicated...makes more fuss about this!


Given him a half-heated heat pad again tonight. He's snuggling away as I type. Bless him!

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Day Four

Cedric started his day having his eye flushed. Seemed to be healing nicely.


He is full of it still, into everything and is still happy to be stuffing his face with grass! Weight is still dropping, despite a good appetite, so we need to keep an eye on this.


This afternoon, Cedric went to see Uncle Simon for his post op check. Simon is very pleased with Cedric's progress and said that his eye should need no further flushing. Cedric is a very happy boy. He will be on his meds for the foreseeable, but all in all we have done a splendid job! Go Team TEAS!

 

[helen105281]

Well done everyone and Cedric too.

 

[Debbie's]

So glad he is on the mendx

 

[gizzy]

Cedric is an amaxingly brave boy, and you are an insperation to the gp comunerty .
Thanks for sharing

 

[AuntyC]

Wow. One very brave piggy. Love his enthusiasm despite his ordeal, bless him. Hoping he puts the weight back on and continues to make a full recovery. I just feel like snuggling up next to him in that cosy bed of his. x

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Cedric's amazing recovery really highlights the importance of quick action. He first shown signs of an eye problem on Tuesday morning. Within hours he was being seen by a vet and getting appropriate medication. When the eye continued to deteriorate he underwent Enucleation surgery on Wednesday and by Friday he is getting an excellent report. Cedric has had a great team behind him. Emma's @MintyAndGarry (TEAS) vigilance in noticing so quickly there was an eye problem, Kim and Simon's knowledge and skill and my abscess flushing expertise (I love abscesses and flushing - I really need to get out more) and the ongoing care that Emma has been giving him every day, has ensured that Cedric has received the very best.

Eye problems need to be dealt with quickly. You wouldn't ignore a problem with your own eyes, so if you notice anything different with your guinea pigs eyes, please get it checked by a guinea pig savvy vet as quickly as possible.

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Day Nine (Yesterday)

Cedric's eye had started to discharge a tiny amount of pus, first noticed by the smell! So, he went back to see Simon, who carried out debridement on Cedric's eye. Once the necrotic tissue was removed, a small amount of pus was also revealed. However, behind all this was some lovely healthy tissue. His eye socket has been left open for further flushing.

***Warning - Graphic image***

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Day Ten

Cedric is continuing to have his meds and is having his eye flushed twice daily. As you can see, it has already started to heal:



He is as bright as a button in himself, still keen to eat - in fact, it's nonstop!

Recurrences such as this are common in such cases, as there are so many factors in play. However, once again, speed is of the essence, in order to halt any deterioration in progress.

Happy boy, post flush this morning:



 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Day Fourteen

I have decided to call it a day with this thread. There have been a couple of forum members who have shown an interest (thank you!), but otherwise it has just dropped down the board. Thought it would be an idea to share TEAS's experience while dealing with an eye issue, especially as there had been lots of eye issues around lately, but the lack of interest has proven very disappointing.

TEAS and Cedric, signing off...

 

[GPTV]

Day Fourteen

I have decided to call it a day with this thread. There have been a couple of forum members who have shown an interest (thank you!), but otherwise it has just dropped down the board. Thought it would be an idea to share TEAS's experience while dealing with an eye issue, especially as there had been lots of eye issues around lately, but the lack of interest has proven very disappointing.

TEAS and Cedric, signing off...
View attachment 39158

Aww that's a shame I have been fascinated by this thread-it shows how quickly things can deteriate with eyes, even with prompt treatment.
I had no idea that a retrobullar(sp?) abcess could develop like this &I have read loads of eye removal threads &often wondered how the guinea copes-but looking at these pictures its reassuring that eye removals although sounding bad dont really seem to cause any stress to the guinea.... Young Cedric looks totally at ease &active/interested in everything even with one eye (still a handsome chap too )

ClaireW & Helen105281 threads have had me captivated too with (now bridge piggy)Eliza &Tims eye stories.

I've had eye poke problems but nothing like this &I would certainly use these threads as reference to help my piggies if I'm ever in the same situation.

I would like to hear how Cedric gets on. &thankyou so much for starting this informative thread.
I haven't posted much on it just because I didnt want to detract from the thread &lack of getting on here much the last 2wks.
Healing vibes still being sent for a speedy &full recovery. Luv the girls &I . Xx

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

Aww that's a shame I have been fascinated by this thread-it shows how quickly things can deteriate with eyes, even with prompt treatment.
I had no idea that a retrobullar(sp?) abcess could develop like this &I have read loads of eye removal threads &often wondered how the guinea copes-but looking at these pictures its reassuring that eye removals although sounding bad dont really seem to cause any stress to the guinea.... Young Cedric looks totally at ease &active/interested in everything even with one eye (still a handsome chap too )

ClaireW & Helen105281 threads have had me captivated too with (now bridge piggy)Eliza &Tims eye stories.

I've had eye poke problems but nothing like this &I would certainly use these threads as reference to help my piggies if I'm ever in the same situation.

I would like to hear how Cedric gets on. &thankyou so much for starting this informative thread.
I haven't posted much on it just because I didnt want to detract from the thread &lack of getting on here much the last 2wks.
Healing vibes still being sent for a speedy &full recovery. Luv the girls &I . Xx

Thanks for your feedback. I hadn't posted on here for a few days - purely busy with the pigs. But, will let you know how he gets on. He's a very vocal pig - has gone from 735g to 970g since he's been here. Might be all the grass he's getting, due to shouting his head off! He's still on his meds and twice daily flushing. He's due back for another check up with Simon next week, as long as all goes well. His eye is healing nicely. Will post again, a bit further down the line. x

 

[piggieminder]

Don't know how I missed this thread before. Well done everyone who has helped Cedric and well done Cedric for being such a fighter. Keeping everything crossed for you Cedric.

 

[gizzy]

Such a brave pig, best wishes to this little man , and god bless you giving him the help and support he needs
You do wonderfull work with piggys ,

 

[Countrylass]

I haven't been around much but Sweep too went through an eye removal earlier this year. He's fine now although he did bump into a few things before he realised that he was blind on that side.

Here are the photos we took - Warning: Graphic images:

He had already been on medication for a couple of days at this point





Following surgery, after flushing sessions



You can see the pus here



On the road to recovery



Sweep sends get well wishes to his cousin Cedric and wheeky wheek wheeks wheeky

 

[helen105281]

I've enjoyed following Cedric's progress too, especially being able to compare his story to Tim's. Cedric is doing so well.

 

[piggie smitten]

I've been following with interest too, particularly as I met the lovely Cedric when I bumped into you at Simon's last Wednesday when I took Bubble for a dental. Am so glad Cedric is continuing to recover well.