Eyeball health

[PigMummyEm]

My piggie Mabel (she’s roughly 1 and a half years old) has had this pink fleshy bit under her eye for months and months but it’s never caused any trouble. Today I noticed it’s a bit crusty and she seems to keep it a little more closed than the other eye.

Does anyone know what it is and why it’s gone sore all of a sudden? I’m gonna call my vet and send them the picture too.

 

[Wiebke]

My piggie Mabel (she’s roughly 1 and a half years old) has had this pink fleshy bit under her eye for months and months but it’s never caused any trouble. Today I noticed it’s a bit crusty and she seems to keep it a little more closed than the other eye.

Does anyone know what it is and why it’s gone sore all of a sudden? I’m gonna call my vet and send them the picture too.

Hi

That is a protracted tear gland a sign that the conjunctiva is somewhat swollen.
Watery fluid/transparent crusts and a retracted eye (the latter is always a sign of pain) are usually signs of an injury like an eye poke or something scratchy stuck under the lid. Since eye injuries can deteriorate very quickly and the extent will only show up with a special dye under UV light, please always have a piggy seen within 24 hours if possible; if there is bleeding in the eye, then this counts as an emergency.
Eye treatment and medication is the same for guinea pigs as for other species, so with any eye problems please see the vet within your reach that can see your piggy soonest over seeing an exotic vet. Speed really counts for a much quicker and smoother recovery.

PS: Normal eye cleaning fluid is milky white since guinea pigs don't clean their eyes by blinking; gunk from an ulcerating eye infection is a light blueish/grey and thick mucus from an upper respiratory tract infection is green/yellow/orange. Watery fluid is always a sign of an irritation in the eye.
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?

How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide

All the best

 

[PigMummyEm]

Hi

That is a protracted tear gland a sign that the conjunctiva is somewhat swollen.
Watery fluid/transparent crusts and a retracted eye (the latter is always a sign of pain) are usually signs of an injury like an eye poke or something scratchy stuck under the lid. Since eye injuries can deteriorate very quickly and the extent will only show up with a special dye under UV light, please always have a piggy seen within 24 hours if possible; if there is bleeding in the eye, then this counts as an emergency.
Eye treatment and medication is the same for guinea pigs as for other species, so with any eye problems please see the vet within your reach that can see your piggy soonest over seeing an exotic vet. Speed really counts for a much quicker and smoother recovery.

PS: Normal eye cleaning fluid is milky white since guinea pigs don't clean their eyes by blinking; gunk from an ulcerating eye infection is a light blueish/grey and thick mucus from an upper respiratory tract infection is green/yellow/orange. Watery fluid is always a sign of an irritation in the eye.
Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?

How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide

All the best

Thank you! I’ve contacted my vet and got an appointment.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! I’ve contacted my vet and got an appointment.

All the best! Please let us know how you are getting on.

 

[PigMummyEm]

her eye ended up getting so much better on it’s own and is now fine! The vet said to just keep bathing it.