Guinea pig eye is bleeding

[millie1]

Hello,
I'm really concerned because I just checked on my piggies and one of them has a really bad eye. His eye is really wet around that area and I can't even see it really - just red stuff. I don't know if Simon has a hay poke or if his brother hurt him. He lives with two others (which I know isn't ideal, but they all seemed to be doing ok with no serious quarrels and maybe the occasional nip). We are calling the vet in the morning but I'm really worried until then. It's stopped bleeding as far as I'm aware but it looks really painful. Simon is eating, rumbling, walking about and gave a wheek for his veggies so he's being really brave.

If I could have any advice I would really appreciate it. If I had the choice he would be in the vets ASAP but they don't open until the morning. I was wondering if I should separate the potential aggressor, or just leave them be for the night? Alvin has a slight bit of pinkish water on his face, so could he be the reason for Simon's eye?

I know that eyes are super delicate and situations like these are very time critical. I'm not expecting any miraculous advice but genuinely anything would help.

Thank you!

 

[fluffysal]

Eyes are always a priority. Please can you contact the out of hours emergency vet. With regards to treatment, it doesn't need to be an exotic vet as all eyes are the same.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Eyes are urgent but even more so If there is bleeding then he needs to be seen by an out of hours vet tonight.
Your vet will have a surgery which covers them outside of their normal opening hours. Call your normal surgery number and their voicemail will give details of who you should contact.

A boar trio is usually highly unstable so if there is any chance this is caused by a fight/dysfunctional bond, then yes do separate them permanently.

 

[millie1]

Thank you for your replies,

I'm really sad and feel like a horrible person to say that going to an out-of-hours vet isn't possible for me. I'm going to separate Alvin apart from the other two, clean their cage up and keep checking on Simon. It's not bleeding but obviously I don't actually know what is going on inside. He had a little bit of a head tilt for a couple of minutes but he's righted himself again.

I'm a little bit comforted that he's laying down like he usually does, chomping on his hay. And he still lets me pet him. Of course that doesn't really say anything but at least it is a semi-good sign.

 

[millie1]

(Apologies for the long post! Sorry, I ramble on a bit!)

So I went to the vet on Wednesday and they said it was pretty bad. The eye had gone from red on Tuesday night to cloudy blue the following morning. We were lucky enough to see three different vets, two being exotic vets, at the clinic; somehow it had been punctured and stuff had been leaking out! Poor Simon!

We scheduled surgery on the same day with it being very likely he would lose his eye. It's been 4 days since his eye removal and he's been doing quite well - he started eating immediately and his poops are pretty much uniform now (they were a bit unusual for a day after anaesthetic but I heard that was normal).

He's been on Meloxicam (the dog kind) 0.46mls once a day for four days. He's not been showing symptoms of pain, except that occasionally he randomly squeaks? He just looks into the air, a bit confused, and then continues on with his day. It might be pain-related or he could be wondering where his cage mates went. I don't know if I'm overthinking it but it seems like something to include? His wound is also weeping a tiny bit. He's visiting the vet nurse tomorrow for a check-up so they will hopefully check everything is fine.

I tried introducing Simon to the other two boars but I think they will have to be permanently separated. Whilst there was no teeth chattering, Simon was pretty intimidated by Alvin and ran away from him when he came too close. They could eat from the same hay pile but if Alvin showed any interest in Simon he was off. Paired with his limited mobility, I doubt they can be together again. At least until they become less hormonal which will be in a long while (they are 10 months at the moment).

I've included some (very poor quality) pictures of Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Hopefully, Simon fully recovers from losing an eye! I also hope he is okay with bar interaction only - it seems quite sad that such a social animal can't be with a friend.

Thank you for reading my post if you got this far. And also thank you for this wonderful forum - I've only just made an account but for years I've been looking at it if I need advice!

 

[fluffysal]

Thank you for updating. It's great to know that he's recovering well as so often someone posts about a serious issue with their pig and we never get to know the result. He should be absolutely fine living with one eye as eyesight is their weakest sense.
He will be fine with through the bars interaction, although if you are concerned maybe looking for a companion for him when he is fully recovered is an option. He's still a handsome chap

 

[millie1]

Fluffysal thank you. It would be wonderful if we could accommodate another piggy when Simon recovers, but we dont really have the space at the moment!

Sadly today his eye has been weeping - it looks pretty bad. There's also a little blob of something in that area - I'm not looking at it too much because it's causing him a bit of pain. I'm quite worried as I thought he's been through the worst of it.

We have his vet check up appointment tomorrow, which is pretty good timing.

I don't know what happened to it - could it be an infection?

I've uploaded another picture but it's even worse than the other ones I sent earlier - it's very hard to take pics of black fur!

 

[Wiebke]

Fluffysal thank you. It would be wonderful if we could accommodate another piggy when Simon recovers, but we dont really have the space at the moment!

Sadly today his eye has been weeping - it looks pretty bad. There's also a little blob of something in that area - I'm not looking at it too much because it's causing him a bit of pain. I'm quite worried as I thought he's been through the worst of it.

We have his vet check up appointment tomorrow, which is pretty good timing.

I don't know what happened to it - could it be an infection?

I've uploaded another picture but it's even worse than the other ones I sent earlier - it's very hard to take pics of black fur!

Hi

Weeping and infections are not unusual after an eye removal. Some vets are actually leaving a small opening for the eye socket area to drain after an enucleation operation.

All the best. I am very sorry that it has all gone so pear-shaped for you and Simon.

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets.

 

[millie1]

Bad news

Simon has an eye infection and consequently he has lost quite a bit of weight. The vet cleaned it up and removed an undissolved stitch which could have been part of the problem.

He is now on an antibiotic called trimethoprim twice daily. It is a pretty strong dose so I am concerned that he is going to lose his appetite.

We are going to have it for one week and see what happens. He should be okay but there's a chance that he won't, so I'm quite scared in that respect.

I understand that I must keep everything as sterile as possible to stop it from getting worse. He had his first dose of antibiotics today - thankfully he ate it up no problem. I'm just concerned that it will make him feel poorly. The vet didn't say anything about a probiotic - should I be using it?

I'm guessing I should also try to wipe away any pus that comes out of his eye, but unsure on how do to that properly. I've never had to deal with this before - dental problems, yes, but infections no. Is it ok to use cooled boil water and a clean towel?

Again thank you for reading this and for any advice/well wishes. I'm just so sad this happened to Simon - he is only 10 months old.

 

[weepweeps]

I have had a piggy on strong antibiotics for 6 weeks and it did completely stop his appetite. But once the course was finished he started to eat again.

I’d definitely give a probiotic while he is on antibiotics.

Yes it’s fine to use cooled boiled water. I’d use a cotton pad and just wipe it a couple of times a day. Good luck. You are doing all you can. I’m sure he will be on the mend soon.

 

[Wiebke]

Bad news

Simon has an eye infection and consequently he has lost quite a bit of weight. The vet cleaned it up and removed an undissolved stitch which could have been part of the problem.

He is now on an antibiotic called trimethoprim twice daily. It is a pretty strong dose so I am concerned that he is going to lose his appetite.

We are going to have it for one week and see what happens. He should be okay but there's a chance that he won't, so I'm quite scared in that respect.

I understand that I must keep everything as sterile as possible to stop it from getting worse. He had his first dose of antibiotics today - thankfully he ate it up no problem. I'm just concerned that it will make him feel poorly. The vet didn't say anything about a probiotic - should I be using it?

I'm guessing I should also try to wipe away any pus that comes out of his eye, but unsure on how do to that properly. I've never had to deal with this before - dental problems, yes, but infections no. Is it ok to use cooled boil water and a clean towel?

Again thank you for reading this and for any advice/well wishes. I'm just so sad this happened to Simon - he is only 10 months old.

Hi

I am very sorry that there is an infection.

I am very sorry that the news is not quite good.

Please switch from the life-long weekly weigh in on your kitchen scales to weighing daily first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison so you can plan the level of support care he needs for the coming 24 hours, whether it is just a top up or full feeding care.
Our new medicating and syringe feeding guide explains it all with lots of practical tips. It is really worth reading through it for optimising your support care: Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

Trimethoprim is one of two active ingredients in septrin/bactrim (1/5 is trimethoprim and the other 4/5 are made up by sulfamethoxazole). I hope that this makes it a bit less scary for you?
Probiotics and 'poo soup' (live healthy gut microbiome transfer) never hurt. You can find how to make poo soup correctly in the first aid kit link below.

You can always make your own mild antiseptic by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 250 ml/ half pint of boiled, cooled water; the mix is called saline solution; which may be what you are looking for when wiping the area around the eye?
First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

All the best.

 

[millie1]

Today he decided he didn't like any of his medicine after all, so it was a real struggle to make sure he ate it all. I've tried watching videos and they make it look so easy... Thankfully I did manage to give him most of it but we were both really stressed out in the process. It also took a really long time, which just made it worse.

 

[millie1]

Also I tried to clean his eye area, but he jumps so much I'm afraid I will hurt him if he goes in the wrong direction.

 

[weepweeps]

You are doing a great job. It will get easier. I had to clean my piggies abscess whilst it was draining for about 10 days. You will get more confident and he will get used to what is happening.

 

[Wiebke]

Also I tried to clean his eye area, but he jumps so much I'm afraid I will hurt him if he goes in the wrong direction.

Hold his head gently but firmly with your weaker hand and use the other for the syringe and the wipe. It is not pleasant. Assert your authority beforehand and then pamper him with lots of praise and a treat afterwards.
Guinea pigs feel your insecurity and your stress and respond to it. Gaining confidence through practice will make things easier. the first few times are always the hardest - but you have got the job done.

You may find these guides here helpful:
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

 

[Betsy]

Have some coriander to hand afterwards as a reward for letting you clean out the eye. Give some before too if you think it will help. My piggies love coriander and as soon as I say the word coriander they are looking for it. Misty is such a coriander junkie as soon as I mention the word she is tugging at my apron wanting some. I always wear a pinny when handling my piggies.

 

[millie1]

You are doing a great job. It will get easier. I had to clean my piggies abscess whilst it was draining for about 10 days. You will get more confident and he will get used to what is happening.

Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot!

Hold his head gently but firmly with your weaker hand and use the other for the syringe and the wipe. It is not pleasant. Assert your authority beforehand and then pamper him with lots of praise and a treat afterwards.

I will do this, thank you.

Have some coriander to hand afterwards as a reward for letting you clean out the eye.

Bought a bag of coriander yesterday - Simon is loving it!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot!




I will do this, thank you.



Bought a bag of coriander yesterday - Simon is loving it!

Give him a tiny bit of coriander after every syringe as a treat. He will cotton on quickly...

 

[millie1]

His infection has gotten a bit better, I think. I'm not sure though as it's still weeping. Thankfully he still has a very good appetite and his poops are like usual. However, now he seems to be in pain while peeing/pooping. He will just squeak until it's passed.
It's concerning me a lot. Today he did a big popcorn and is relaxing in his fresh new bedding. The vet didn't say about continuing with his Meloxicam since last time but since his eye is bad I've kept on giving it to him.

 

[CTWC]

Hi there I'm no expert at all but my Cookie went through the exact same procedure in January this year and it was awful you feel so guilty don't you, well I did but he is absolutely fine I do worry that he's now lonely but most people on here reassure me that he is happy living alongside his friends my son always says it's like he still has both his eyes as it hasn't stopped him doing anything, we had an infection too but all cleared now we just gently used cotton pads to wipe away any weeping. Fingers and paws crossed for your brave guinea from us all

 

[millie1]

Thank you so much for the encouragement CTWC, it really means a lot! Glad that your Cookie is doing well

 

[CTWC]

Morning how are you all?
Is Simon still on his antibiotics?

 

[Wheekallweek]

Hope Simon is feeling OK!

 

[millie1]

Today Simon's eye is looking better, which is really good! Plus we also got our timothy hay delivery, which Simon is chomping down on! I've ran out of antibiotics but he's done his 1 week course. He's going on the vets on Wednesday - hopefully they can give good news!

 

[weepweeps]

That’s great news.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, hope Simon gets a clean bill of health

 

[Wheekallweek]

Yay! Great news

 

[CTWC]

Cookie sends lots of Wheek Wheeks