Cloudy eye

[Britt]

Hi everyone,

Just looking for advice in regards to my Gucci’s eye.

I got back from a month long holiday to find Gucci’s eye very cloudy. My mother in law had been looking after my guinea pigs for me but unfortunately hadn’t noticed it so I have no idea how long it has been that way.

We took him straight to the vet who diagnosed an ulcer and prescribed chloramphenicol drops 3x daily as well as remend corneal gel 2x daily and metacam. After a week of treatment I wasn’t seeing any improvement so we took him back in and the ulcer was still there. We were then given a stronger antibiotic to try, ofloxacin, and Gucci is currently on his last day of a 10 day course of this. Gucci’s eye is still very cloudy, so I took him back to the vet again. The vet confirmed that the ulcer had gone, but was concerned that his eye was bulging slightly, and eye pressure test was then done which confirmed that it is ever so slightly high and that he is also experiencing some pain in that eye.

We are now at a bit of a loss with what to do next. A CT scan was discussed, but frankly this is way too expensive for us so it is not an option. Eye removal was also discussed but I have a gut feeling that this is not the right course of action as we are not 100% sure as to what has caused these issues. It was also mentioned that he could have uveitis and the eye might just need a little bit longer to heal. I’m almost certain that Gucci has osseous choristoma, although it has never been mentioned by our vet. Could this be the cause of his issues?

Has anyone dealt with anything similar and could give me a little bit of insight? Hearing some similar experiences would really help me to figure out what the best thing to do is. Gucci is an older piggy (around 6-7 years) so I really just want to do what’s best for him.

Thanks!

 

[SarahxCavia]

I'd try get advice from another vet. I go to pennine Vets in Bury another vet place recommended it as the one in Bury specialises in guinea pigs. Most vets only know well about cats and dogs. This isn't related but 1 of my guineas was on medications for a long time vet just gave it pain relief cus didn't know why it was crying when weeing. After some time I ended up at a vets when there was blood coming out and they recommended pennine Vets and they told me what issue was and resolved it. Sorry a lot of words but what I'm saying is try a vet that knows guinea pigs well. The pressure could be potential glaucoma I know that causes pressure in eye but I don't know treatment. And I'm wondering if the cloudiness is cataract but I guess there could be a load of causes. I'd get a 2nd opinion and do what's needed to get rid of the pain. Guinea pigs don't have massively good eyesight anyway. My last 2 pair were both blind and ran around happily.

 

[fluffysal]

I'm afraid I have no advice. One of the experts should be along soon.
She's a beauty

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

Just looking for advice in regards to my Gucci’s eye.

I got back from a month long holiday to find Gucci’s eye very cloudy. My mother in law had been looking after my guinea pigs for me but unfortunately hadn’t noticed it so I have no idea how long it has been that way.

We took him straight to the vet who diagnosed an ulcer and prescribed chloramphenicol drops 3x daily as well as remend corneal gel 2x daily and metacam. After a week of treatment I wasn’t seeing any improvement so we took him back in and the ulcer was still there. We were then given a stronger antibiotic to try, ofloxacin, and Gucci is currently on his last day of a 10 day course of this. Gucci’s eye is still very cloudy, so I took him back to the vet again. The vet confirmed that the ulcer had gone, but was concerned that his eye was bulging slightly, and eye pressure test was then done which confirmed that it is ever so slightly high and that he is also experiencing some pain in that eye.

We are now at a bit of a loss with what to do next. A CT scan was discussed, but frankly this is way too expensive for us so it is not an option. Eye removal was also discussed but I have a gut feeling that this is not the right course of action as we are not 100% sure as to what has caused these issues. It was also mentioned that he could have uveitis and the eye might just need a little bit longer to heal. I’m almost certain that Gucci has osseous choristoma, although it has never been mentioned by our vet. Could this be the cause of his issues?

Has anyone dealt with anything similar and could give me a little bit of insight? Hearing some similar experiences would really help me to figure out what the best thing to do is. Gucci is an older piggy (around 6-7 years) so I really just want to do what’s best for him.

Thanks!

Hi

I am very sorry; the eye is still looking very infected indeed and does look a bit swollen.

In addition to a strong oral antibiotic I would recommend using carbomer based plain human tear gel up to 6 times a day in order to help promote the natural healing process in the deeper areas of the eye, just a little dab each time.
Tear drops don't penetrate as far and their effect is not as long lasting as gel (they are however still an option if you cannot get hold of gel where you are) but the extra hydration from the gel helps to create a better healing environment for those areas where antibiotic drops and any surface treatment can't reach. It's not a prescription only medication so your vet won't have it in stock. Any brand will do; they are pretty much all the same. You may need to order online if your pharmacy hasn't got any (askfor yourself; pharmacies are not allowed to dispense for animals).

Have you been given any analgesic (i.e. anti-inflammatory/painkiller) for the eye?

The osseous metaplasia (a jagged white ring around the iris) is the totally pain-free and unrelated replacement of eye tissue with bony tissue that is not at all uncommon in older piggies. It also doesn't cause any infections; all it does is to restrict the field of sight a little.

I am ever so sorry that your holiday absence has caused a delay in seeing a vet for you. Not your fault; just really bad timing. Unfortunately, eye infections can develop and deteriorate very quickly; the deeper into the eye they penetrate the harder they become to deal with.
This is the reason why UK vets prioritise any eye injuries/infections as an emergency that should be ideally seen on the day if at all possible or within 24 hours. It is the one health issue where it doesn't matter whether it is an exotics or a general vet since diagnosis and topical treatment (drops or gels) are the same as for cats and dogs and where speed comes before specialisation.
It is that delay that is most likely at the bottom of your problems.

Eye removal (enucleation) is always only the very last option once all others have failed but it is not all that uncommon. Piggies are able to led a perfectly normal and happy life without one eye or even with total loss of eyesight in both eyes. What you need to be aware of is that sight is the weakest of the guinea pig senses whereas it is the strongest in humans. You are however not at that point yet.
But here is my Meleri's eye removal op story in case you need reassurance. Please keep your fingers crossed for Meleri's eye removal operation!

Fingers crossed that the stronger antibiotic will work.

 

[Britt]

I'd try get advice from another vet. I go to pennine Vets in Bury another vet place recommended it as the one in Bury specialises in guinea pigs. Most vets only know well about cats and dogs. This isn't related but 1 of my guineas was on medications for a long time vet just gave it pain relief cus didn't know why it was crying when weeing. After some time I ended up at a vets when there was blood coming out and they recommended pennine Vets and they told me what issue was and resolved it. Sorry a lot of words but what I'm saying is try a vet that knows guinea pigs well. The pressure could be potential glaucoma I know that causes pressure in eye but I don't know treatment. And I'm wondering if the cloudiness is cataract but I guess there could be a load of causes. I'd get a 2nd opinion and do what's needed to get rid of the pain. Guinea pigs don't have massively good eyesight anyway. My last 2 pair were both blind and ran around happily.

The vet we use is an exotic specialist and we have had great experiences with her in the past. Although we haven’t been able to see her directly this time around, the vet we have been seeing has been consulting with her so I don’t have any concerns there. Thanks though!

 

[Britt]

Hi

I am very sorry; the eye is still looking very infected indeed and does look a bit swollen.

In addition to a strong oral antibiotic I would recommend using carbomer based plain human tear gel up to 6 times a day in order to help promote the natural healing process in the deeper area; just a little dab. Tear drops don't penetrate as far and their effect is not as long lasting but the extra hydration helps to create a better healing environment for those areas where antibiotic drops and any surface treatment can't reach. It's not a prescription only medication so your vet won't have it in stock. Any brand will do; they are pretty much all the same. You my need to order online if your pharmacy hasn't got any (for yourself; they are not allowed to dispense for animals).

Have you been given any anlgesic (i.e. anti-inflammatory/painkiller) for the eye?

The osseous metaplasia (a jagged white ring around the iris) is the totally pain-free and unrelated replacement of eye tissue with bony tissue that is not at all uncommon in older piggies. It also doesn't cause any infections; all it does is to restrict the field of sight a little.

I am ever so sorry that your holiday absence has caused a delay in seeing a vet for you. Not your fault; just really bad timing. Unfortunately, eye infections can develop and deteriorate very quickly; the deeper into the eye they penetrate the harder they become to deal with.
This is the reason why UK vets prioritise any eye injuries/infections as an emergency that should be ideally seen on the day if at all possible or within 24 hours. It is the one health issue where it doesn't matter whether it is an exotics or a general vet since diagnosis and topical treatment (drops or gels) are the same as for cats and dogs and where speed comes before specialisation.
It is that delay that is most likely at the bottom of your problems.

Eye removal is always only the very last option once all others have failed but it is not all that uncommon and that piggies are able to led a perfectly normal and happy life without one eye or even total loss of eyesight in both eyes. What you need to be aware of is that sight is the weakest of the guinea pig senses whereas it is the strongest in humans.
But here is my Meleri's eye removal op story in case you need reassurance. Please keep your fingers crossed for Meleri's eye removal operation!

So from your experience have you found oral antibiotics more effective than the antibiotic eye drops? That’s definitely something I will bring up with the vet. I will also look into the carbomer tear gel, it sounds easy enough to get!

He is on 0.36ml of metacam 2x daily, this is a fairly new dosage though, he was on a lower dosage prior to our last vet visit.

I did suspect that the delay in treatment is the main issue.. we very rarely go away but it was my first time seeing my family in almost 2 years, it’s just typical do you think there’s a possibility there could still be something lodged in his eye that could be stopping the eye from fully healing?

Thanks for linking your piggies eye removal story, I will definitely have a read. I do have a deep gut feeling though that removing his eye isn’t right course of action though, and my gut hasn’t been wrong with my piggies so far…

 

[Wiebke]

So from your experience have you found oral antibiotics more effective than the antibiotic eye drops? That’s definitely something I will bring up with the vet. I will also look into the carbomer tear gel, it sounds easy enough to get!

He is on 0.36ml of metacam 2x daily, this is a fairly new dosage though, he was on a lower dosage prior to our last vet visit.

I did suspect that the delay in treatment is the main issue.. we very rarely go away but it was my first time seeing my family in almost 2 years, it’s just typical do you think there’s a possibility there could still be something lodged in his eye that could be stopping the eye from fully healing?

Thanks for linking your piggies eye removal story, I will definitely have a read. I do have a deep gut feeling though that removing his eye isn’t right course of action though, and my gut hasn’t been wrong with my piggies so far…

It is something to consider for your vet should the new drops not work and the eye swell more.

I have been on three occasions with major/deeper eye infections been additionally prescribed an oral antbiotic (zithromax; in two cases where an operation would not have been an option this actually did work out and the eye was saved; only one case where the swollen eye was going hard - glaucoma - due to an ecapsulated infection went as far as an operation, but that was from an older dumped rescue adoptee with long term damage from an untreated eye infection (most likely at a backyard breeder's), and permanently blocked tear ducts) but every case is different.

Is the metacam cat metacam (0.5 mg concentration) or dog metacam (1.5 mg)?

 

[Britt]

It is something to consider for your vet should the new drops not work and the eye swell more.

I have been on three occasions with major/deeper eye infections been additionally prescribed an oral antbiotic (zithromax; in two cases where an operation would not have been an option this actually did work out and the eye was saved; only one case where the swollen eye was going hard - glaucoma - due to an ecapsulated infection went as far as an operation, but that was from an older dumped rescue adoptee with long term damage from an untreated eye infection (most likely at a backyard breeder's), and permanently blocked tear ducts) but every case is different.

Is the metacam cat metacam (0.5 mg concentration) or dog metacam (1.5 mg)?

Okay that’s definitely something I’ll ask the vet, they know us well from our numerous vet trips so I’m hoping they won’t have an issue with prescribing this. Your experiences have definitely given me some hope! I have managed to get some of the tear gel you mentioned above so I will be starting that tonight. It’s the dog metacam we’re using.

 

[Wiebke]

Okay that’s definitely something I’ll ask the vet, they know us well from our numerous vet trips so I’m hoping they won’t have an issue with prescribing this. Your experiences have definitely given me some hope! I have managed to get some of the tear gel you mentioned above so I will be starting that tonight. It’s the dog metacam we’re using.

All the best. So you have got a good dose of metacam to help with the inflammation/swelling. Sounds like your vet knows what they are doing.

Unfortunately, with the clouding of the eyeball it is impossible to say for anybody what exactly is going on underneath so your vet is working their way through it.

 

[Britt]

All the best. So you have got a good dose of metacam to help with the inflammation/swelling. Sounds like your vet knows what they are doing.

Unfortunately, with the clouding of the eyeball it is impossible to say for anybody what exactly is going on underneath so your vet is working their way through it.

Thanks so much, you’ve been so helpful. Fingers crossed we start seeing some improvement!

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks so much, you’ve been so helpful. Fingers crossed we start seeing some improvement!

Fingers very firmly crossed. The swelling is the worrying bit but you haven't reached the bottom of the barrel yet.
It has taken me and my vet a month to clear a more serious infection/injury on occasion.

PS: If the eye is suddenly swelling very quickly, this is a real 'need to see asap' emergency.