Eye discharge

[Seven7]

As I was giving goodnight kisses to Finn, I noticed that one of Finn’s eye has discharge so I immediately called the veterinarian emergency hospital, but their exotic vet is out for the evening and he won’t return until tomorrow morning.

Should I be terribly worried that one of his eye has discharge? I will take him to the vet tomorrow when the exotic vet comes back, but I am very concerned about Finn.

Finn is eating well, drinking water and moving around well. Other than one of his eye has discharge, he is acting normal, which is why I didn’t notice all day. I pick him up almost everyday and tonight is first time I noticed his eye.

 

[weepweeps]

Eye issues are classed as an emergency as they can go downhill quickly. As eyes are the same for most animals a non exotic vet is fine. I hope it’s not too serious. Good luck.

 

[Seven7]

Eye issues are classed as an emergency as they can go downhill quickly. As eyes are the same for most animals a non exotic vet is fine. I hope it’s not too serious. Good luck.

Thanks for the comment. It was nearly midnight, just after 11 pm in the US, when I first saw Finn’s one watery eye. The emergency vet’s office said the emergency doctor wasn’t an exotic vet, so he won’t be able to see Finn, then said it was too late to make appointment anyways because the doctor is in surgery.

I prefer to see an exotic vet who would know more about Finn in the morning when he returns to the hospital. I certainly hope it isn’t something serious. I am hoping he just hurt himself on one eye causing it to have water like that. Also, if it is bacterial and serious, how could just one eye be watering and not both?

Sorry. I am up worrying about Finn at 4:30 am, just wondering all kinds of stuff about Finn‘s health.

 

[Seven7]

Sorry. I am just waiting for it to be morning so I can take my Finn to the hospital. It is almost 5 am in the US now.

 

[Claire W]

It could be a hay poke injury if it’s just the one eye. All the best at the vets

 

[Seven7]

It could be a hay poke injury if it’s just the one eye. All the best at the vets

Thank you for your reply. I am up worrying about Finn’s watery eye and totally waiting for the exotic vet to come to the hospital. Your comment makes me feel so much better, so thanks again. Also, talking makes me feel less anxious.

 

[weepweeps]

Sorry. I am just waiting for it to be morning so I can take my Finn to the hospital. It is almost 5 am in the US now.

I’m sure everything will be fine. They like to worry us though.

 

[Wiebke]

As I was giving goodnight kisses to Finn, I noticed that one of Finn’s eye has discharge so I immediately called the veterinarian emergency hospital, but their exotic vet is out for the evening and he won’t return until tomorrow morning.

Should I be terribly worried that one of his eye has discharge? I will take him to the vet tomorrow when the exotic vet comes back, but I am very concerned about Finn.

Finn is eating well, drinking water and moving around well. Other than one of his eye has discharge, he is acting normal, which is why I didn’t notice all day. I pick him up almost everyday and tonight is first time I noticed his eye.

Hi

What kind of discharge are you dealing with?

- milky white is spilled cleaning fluid and nothing to worry about

- watery tear fluid is always a sign of an irritation or pain in the eye. If it continues, it should be ideally seen within 24 hours or as soon as you can thereafter by any vet you can reach. If there is blood in the eye, then this counts as an emergency.

- greyish/bluish gunk in the eye surface or spilling over is from an ulcerating (i.e. already infected) eye injury, whether that is an eye poke or somethings scratchy stuck firmly under a lid. Eye injuries can deteriorate very quickly so an ulcer can form in a matter of hours. Other signs of pain/injury are heavy water, in-drawn eye, squinting or closed eye.

- yellowish (ranging from gree to orange) thick mucus that glues the eye and nostrils together is a symptom of a developed, untreated upper respiratory tract infection.

In the matter of seeing a vet, please the first vet who can offer you an appointment in your area within 24 hours or as soon as possible with a suspected eye injury or a badly reddened/swollen conjunctiva. Any bleeding in the eye counts as an emergency.
Eyes are the one body part where diagnosis, treatment and medication is exactly the same as for other common pet species so speed comes before qualification and any decent general vet will have the necessary antibiotic eye drops, lubricant and if needed analgesic in their clinic as they are the same ones that can be used for cats and dogs (and you can tell that any general vet who is not sure about this point).

Here is more helpfull in-depth information:
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide
Guinea Lynx :: Eyes
A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours (see entry 'Pain')
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?

All the best.

 

[Seven7]

Hi

What kind of discharge are you dealing with?
- milky white is spilled cleaning fluid and nothing to worry about

- watery tear fluid is always a sign of an irritation or pain in the eye. If it continues, it should be ideally seen within 24 hours or as soon as you can thereafter by any vet you can reach. If there is blood in the eye, then this counts as an emergency.

- greyish/bluish gunk in the eye surface or spilling over is from an ulcerating (i.e. already infected) eye injury, whether that is an eye poke or somethings scratchy stuck firmly under a lid. Eye injuries can deteriorate very quickly so an ulcer can form in a matter of hours. Other signs of pain/injury are heavy water, in-drawn eye, squinting or closed eye.

- yellowish (ranging from gree to orange) thick mucus that glues the eye and nostrils together is a symptom of a developed, untreated upper respiratory tract infection.

In the matter of seeing a vet, please the first vet who can offer you an appointment in your area within 24 hours or as soon as possible with a suspected eye injury or a badly reddened/swollen conjunctiva. Any bleeding in the eye counts as an emergency.

Here is more information:
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide
Guinea Lynx :: Eyes
A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours (see entry 'Pain')
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?

All the best.

So glad you were able comment!
I wiped his eye with a kleenex and only tears came on the kleenex. Even though it's only tears, his eye seem slightly droopy now. I am hoping and praying it isn't serious and anxiously waiting to see the exotic vet today. I want to make sure he is seen by an experienced doctor.

Finn is roughly 5 years old now, but he has always been very healthy, always anxiously waiting for his veggies, pellets, and hay is something he always have around. He has never slowed down and even with his watery eye, he requested his breakfast veggies at 6 am, which I was happy to give to him. He does sleep more and with his eyes completely closed.

 

[Seven7]

Doctor prescribed Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment for Finn's eye. Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment is to be administered twice a day for 7 days. Finn's vital signs are all normal, so a healthy 5 year old piggy. I am very happy he was able to be seen by Dr. Jane.

Finn bit me and I bled a lot while I was putting on the medicine in his eye this morning. I will also be talking about Finn's new friend Bear in my thread "Finn and Lara" because according to Dr. Jane, Finn's eye infection is from Bear, my new boy piggy.

 

[Claire W]

I hope that Finns eye heals quickly. Didn't know you had a new piggy, how exciting

 

[Seven7]

I hope that Finns eye heals quickly. Didn't know you had a new piggy, how exciting

Bear, my new boy will be seen by Dr. Jane too because Dr. Jane said Finn's eye discharge is from Bear who is carrying something. I have had Bear for a couple of days now, and Finn has had a play-date with Bear for about an hour in the same cage.

Finn has been acting sad after the doctor's visit, so I think Bear won't be happy to go to see Dr. Jane either.

 

[Claire W]

All the best for Bears vet visit