New pig is closing one eye

[GiddyUpGo]

Hi all, been a while since I posted anything. We bought a pair of guinea pigs over the weekend and one of them has developed an eye problem. She's closing her eye and it has some crust around it. It seems to be watering a bit. The other eye is totally clear and she is not sneezing, doesn't have a runny nose, and doesn't sound wheezy. I'm still a bit concerned because these pigs are brand new to us and I don't know much about their background except that they came from two different breeders.

These two didn't know each other and were introduced slowly. They seem to be getting along but there have been a few scuffles while they work out who gets to be top pig. I'm wondering if she may have injured her eye during one of these.

In the picture, she's not actually closing the eye as much as when I first started typing this, which makes me think she might have just got something in it. Any thoughts?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, been a while since I posted anything. We bought a pair of guinea pigs over the weekend and one of them has developed an eye problem. She's closing her eye and it has some crust around it. It seems to be watering a bit. The other eye is totally clear and she is not sneezing, doesn't have a runny nose, and doesn't sound wheezy. I'm still a bit concerned because these pigs are brand new to us and I don't know much about their background except that they came from two different breeders.

These two didn't know each other and were introduced slowly. They seem to be getting along but there have been a few scuffles while they work out who gets to be top pig. I'm wondering if she may have injured her eye during one of these.

In the picture, she's not actually closing the eye as much as when I first started typing this, which makes me think she might have just got something in it. Any thoughts?

Hi

Please see a vet as soon as you can as watering and closing the eye is a sign of either something stuck firmly under a lid or an eye poke injury. Eye in injuries can deteriorate very quickly and are in the UK seen as a priority. Ideally they should be seen within 24 hours of you noticing. Treatment and medication is the same as for other pets, so any decent general vet will do if they can see your piggy sooner.

Unfortunately, by buying from a breeder, you don't have as much recourse re. vet cost in newly acquired piggies. What gender should your babies be?
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights

Please also make sure that you double check the gender of your piggies upon arrival and DO NOT introduce them slowly since every single meeting is for them an frustratingly, devastatingly aborted bonding session when all the want is to belong at this young age.
Follow the tips in our step by step bonding guide, which talks you through the whole process with plenty of pictures and videos: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics