Eye problem

[Lindan789]

I noticed My little teddy’s eye started to protrude on Saturday by Sunday a white film had appeared, we saw the vet on Tuesday and they said that he has gone blind in that eye and it will be causing discomfort. He is booked in tomorrow to have his eye removed. It could be caused by trauma? But could be a tumour? But they wouldn’t be able to say until they operate.
Am I doing the right thing by putting him through this? Can piggies live happily still with 1 eye?

He doesn’t seem to be in any discomfort? He is eating and drinking normally, lining up for veggies any advise is greatly appreciated

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Sorry your piggy has a problem with his eye. I hope the surgery goes well and your vet finds out what is causing the problem.

Tumours are one cause of protruding eyes, but it could also be a retrobulbar abscess. Either way, guineas can live happily with just one eye, there are a fair number of threads here involving retrobulbar abscesses and enucleation (eye removal). I should think your boy is in some pain, which won't go away until the eye is removed, it would probably be a good idea to start weighing him daily and supplementing his food if he is losing weight due to the pain.

Sending healing vibes

 

[Wheekallweek]

My piggy Larry had his eye removed at around a year old, it went really well and he does just fine. He has very limited sight in his remaining eye too but he does great! Go with your vet's advice and best of luck to you and your piggy

 

[Wiebke]

I noticed My little teddy’s eye started to protrude on Saturday by Sunday a white film had appeared, we saw the vet on Tuesday and they said that he has gone blind in that eye and it will be causing discomfort. He is booked in tomorrow to have his eye removed. It could be caused by trauma? But could be a tumour? But they wouldn’t be able to say until they operate.
Am I doing the right thing by putting him through this? Can piggies live happily still with 1 eye?

He doesn’t seem to be in any discomfort? He is eating and drinking normally, lining up for veggies any advise is greatly appreciated

Hi

Protruding eyes are often caused by an abscess behind the eyeball (retrobulbar abscess) but can also be caused by glaucoma (damage from too high eye pressure) or a tumor - the latter two are less common.

The ulceration film over the top of the eye is a sign of an injury to the eye (often a hay poke). A piggy with loss of sight is somewhat more prone to injuries. Please make sure that you have soft hay. Whether your vet stitches the eye cavity shut or not depends on what is causing the bulging eye; sometimes it is better to allow drainage.

Eye removal ops in guinea pigs are not all that uncommon and mostly come off well. My Meleri needed her eye removed a year ago. Here is her thread, which I have run on the forum specifically to help people in your situation: Please keep your fingers crossed for Meleri's eye removal operation!

Unlike with humans, eyesight is the weakest of the guinea pig senses and they generally adapt well to a removal; especially when they have already lost sight and no longer have the discomfort in the eye. What you should avoid is approaching them from their blind side; they usually hate that.

All the best!

PS: Here are our post-op care tips in case you need them: Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Lindan789]

My piggy Larry had his eye removed at around a year old, it went really well and he does just fine. He has very limited sight in his remaining eye too but he does great! Go with your vet's advice and best of luck to you and your piggy

Thank you…I feel reassured I am
Doing the right thing for him

 

[Lindan789]

Hi

Protruding eyes are often caused by an abscess behind the eyeball (retrobulbar abscess) but can also be caused by glaucoma (damage from too high eye pressure) or a tumor - the latter two are less common.

The ulceration film over the top of the eye is a sign of an injury to the eye (often a hay poke). A piggy with loss of sight is somewhat more prone to injuries. Please make sure that you have soft hay. Whether your vet stitches the eye cavity shut or not depends on what is causing the bulging eye; sometimes it is better to allow drainage.

Eye removal ops in guinea pigs are not all that uncommon and mostly come off well. My Meleri needed her eye removed a year ago. Here is her thread, which I have run on the forum specifically to help people in your situation: Please keep your fingers crossed for Meleri's eye removal operation!

Unlike with humans, eyesight is the weakest of the guinea pig senses and they generally adapt well to a removal; especially when they have already lost sight and no longer have the discomfort in the eye. What you should avoid is approaching them from their blind side; they usually hate that.

All the best!

PS: Here are our post-op care tips in case you need them: Tips For Post-operative Care

Thank you so much for the info and advice,
I keep everyone updated on his recovery

 

[Lindan789]

Update on Teddy, he is coming up to 3 weeks post op and he is doing great! he was slightly disoriented on return from the surgery but after a couple of days is fine finding his way round

Thank you for everyone’s advice x

 

[Free Ranger]

That's great to hear... well done Teddy!