Piggys eye half closed, crusty

[Sophi3]

Hello everyone!

Awaiting to get my piggy into the vet, the last couple days put guinea pigs eyes become a little puffy, crusty and closing a wee bit. Today I am noticing in addition to this he’s become more lethargic, doesn’t seem to be eating or drinking much and hides away sometimes shortly after gently petting him.

I’m wondering if anyone has any advice and/or suggestions on what I can do for him in the mean time and anyone who’d like to share their experiences I’d appreciate it. I am so worried!

I do have a syringe and such but I’m nervous about trying this just yet as I wanna do it gently and safely, especially if he’s already is a little pain.

Thank you kindly everyone!

 

[piggl]

As time goes on it may have gotten progressively more painful. When is your vet appointment?
Hopefully it will be a minor issue which can be solved with some antibiotic eye drops and some painkiller, there is not much you can do until then. Eye issues should be seen within 24 hours as they can deteriorate quickly.

When you say syringe, I assume you mean one we would use for feeding. What would you be syringing him? Are you thinking about support feeding or are you thinking ahead for once your piggy has been diagnosed. I will attach some helpful links about such.

Fingers crossed you can get him seen and he will be feeling better soon x

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

Weight Monitoring and Management
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please do step in with syringe feeding mushed pellets or critical care. Also ensure you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily so you can monitor the amount of syringe he is getting, and that it is sufficient to keep his weight stable.

When is your appointment?
Is he breathing normally or is his breathing laboured at all?

This is our emergency and bridging care guide. Do give it a read. It also has a link into our syringe feeding guides

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

 

[Sophi3]

Please do step in with syringe feeding mushed pellets or critical care. Also ensure you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily so you can monitor the amount of syringe he is getting, and that it is sufficient to keep his weight stable.

When is your appointment?
Is he breathing normally or is his breathing laboured at all?

This is our emergency and bridging care guide. Do give it a read. It also has a link into our syringe feeding guides

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

I don’t have critical care, do you know of any recipes/ratio to mush his pellets? Thanks!

 

[Sophi3]

Please do step in with syringe feeding mushed pellets or critical care. Also ensure you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily so you can monitor the amount of syringe he is getting, and that it is sufficient to keep his weight stable.

When is your appointment?
Is he breathing normally or is his breathing laboured at all?

This is our emergency and bridging care guide. Do give it a read. It also has a link into our syringe feeding guides

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibr

Please do step in with syringe feeding mushed pellets or critical care. Also ensure you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily so you can monitor the amount of syringe he is getting, and that it is sufficient to keep his weight stable.

When is your appointment?
Is he breathing normally or is his breathing laboured at all?

This is our emergency and bridging care guide. Do give it a read. It also has a link into our syringe feeding guides

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

And how much how often ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

You just add as much water as is needed to make it a paste that goes through a syringe. Using a 1ml syringe, you will need the cut the tapered end off of it to get pellet mush to go through as it is more coarse than critical care.

How much and how often you need to feed depends on what his daily weight checks tell you. If he loses weight each day then he needs to be fed more. If he is stable each day then he is getting enough. Generally speaking you are aiming for a minimum of 40-60ml in each 24 hour period. The less he takes at each sitting the more sittings will be needed, so he could need to be fed every two hours throughout the day if he doesn’t take much at a time.

The green links which have been added in explain everything more fully

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Piggies&buns]

Use warm water (boiled and cooled)

 

[Sophi3]

You just add as much water as is needed to make it a paste that goes through a syringe. Using a 1ml syringe, you will need the cut the tapered end off of it to get pellet mush to go through as it is more coarse than critical care.

How much and how often you need to feed depends on what his daily weight checks tell you. If he loses weight each day then he needs to be fed more. If he is stable each day then he is getting enough. Generally speaking you are aiming for a minimum of 40-60ml in each 24 hour period. The less he takes at each sitting the more sittings will be needed, so he could need to be fed every two hours throughout the day if he doesn’t take much at a time.

The green links which have been added in explain everything more fully

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Thank you so much! That eases my mind, just wanted to be certain I do it right and administer it the right way. Don’t want to cause anymore pain or discomfort for him

 

[Piggies&buns]

When is your vet appointment?