Guinea Pig with Crusty Eye

[TashaCawyer]

Hello,
New Guinea pig owner here and I need some help!

I have a baby piggie who (within the last 48 hours) has started to squint just one eye.

She’s white with pink eyes, so it’s not looking irritated- other than it’s slightly crusty and when it’s open it’s a little watery.
*clear, tear looking liquid AND the crusty stuff is minimal, but whitish in color.

No sneezing. She’s eating and playing as normal. Poop looks/smells totally normal.
Any ideas on what this might be and how we can help her - as the exotic vet can’t see her for 10 days.

We’ve been doing saline rinses 2-3x daily.
Is there anything else I can do?!

 

[Sazbell]

Snap. My baby piggies started this morning too. Only brought them home yesterday. I rang vets they told me to leave it today then wash eye out tomorrow. This evening it looks like it clearing. They told me it is stress.

 

[Siikibam]

I’d say make an appointment with your vet. Are you able to post a photo? @Piggies @PigglePuggle @Wiebke

 

[Piggies&buns]

This kind of thing can be caused by a few things - dried cleaning fluid, irritation in the eye or haypoke. It would always be worth checking with your vet for anything eye related

 

[Wiebke]

Snap. My baby piggies started this morning too. Only brought them home yesterday. I rang vets they told me to leave it today then wash eye out tomorrow. This evening it looks like it clearing. They told me it is stress.

If the crustiness returns in new guinea pigs or if you notice other symptoms, please have them seen for an upper respiratory tract infection (URI) which can be fatal.
Here is more about the most common pitfalls in new pet shop guinea pigs and your customer rights:
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

Here is more about the different crusts you can come across in guinea pig eyes: Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?