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Sick Guinea Pig?

hayyish

hayyish

New Born Pup
Joined
Aug 10, 2017
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Around two days ago, I noticed my Jaq Jaq had milky discharge built up around his eye. I looked it up to find that it was normal. Now usually, I'd let it go but when I tried giving him some celery-which he usually will scarf down-he just nibbled on it. I noticed when I picked him up he was slow and skinnier than usual. Now the discharge has developed to crust forming around the eye and the celery I gave him is not finished to this day. My dad won't let me take him to a vet...is there anything wrong with my guinea pig and is there anything I can do to help him?

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It is impossible to say for sure, but it sounds like your guinea pig is ill, and really needs to see a vet as soon as possible.
The crusty eye could be lots of things, ranging from a simple eye infection, to a sign of something more serious, but the real worry is the change in behavior and eating habits.
Guinea pigs are very good at hiding their illnesses, so if he is not eating and seems listless than chances are he is already quite sick.
Please explain to your Dad that it is his responsibility to ensure that any pet in the house receives adequate medical care, and that Jaq Jaq needs to be taken to the vet. The longer he leaves it the more complex the problems, and the more expensive it is likely to be.
I hope he is feeling better very soon as you clearly are a good owner and love your guinea pig.
 
Hi and welcome!

If you are worried, please see a vet and do not home treat on spec.

Whenever you are worried about the food intake, please switch from weighing weekly to weighing daily at the same time. If you notice a loss of weight of over 50g/2 oz in a short time, please see a vet; on the same day if the weight loss is 100g or more. If a guinea pig is listless, it should see a vet. Lethargy and full refusal to eat count as an emergency. Any stumbling piggy sould also be seen by a vet.

The crusts on your eyes look like they have been caused by watery fluid, not by the thick mucus that is caused by a respiratory infection (and I am sorry to say that a bit of vitamin C is not healing a bacterial respiratory infection, which can kill or cause long term damage if left untreated,
@BlueVictorian
).
Watery fluid is the sign of an irritation or damage to the eye, often from something stuck under a lid or a draft (if you have A/C in the room). If you see it for quite some time and the eye looks smaller (drawn in) compared to the other, then it is painful and it should be checked. It can just be a little hay stuck under a lid or a non-ulcerating hay poke.

We can help you better if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details since we have got members and enquiries from all over the world. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. That will make it appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any advice to what is available, doable and relevant where you are. thank you!
 
Swissgreys said:
It is impossible to say for sure, but it sounds like your guinea pig is ill, and really needs to see a vet as soon as possible.
The crusty eye could be lots of things, ranging from a simple eye infection, to a sign of something more serious, but the real worry is the change in behavior and eating habits.
Guinea pigs are very good at hiding their illnesses, so if he is not eating and seems listless than chances are he is already quite sick.
Please explain to your Dad that it is his responsibility to ensure that any pet in the house receives adequate medical care, and that Jaq Jaq needs to be taken to the vet. The longer he leaves it the more complex the problems, and the more expensive it is likely to be.
I hope he is feeling better very soon as you clearly are a good owner and love your guinea pig.
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Thanks so much for the help! I'm going to take it up with both of my parents about seeing a vet.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

If you are worried, please see a vet and do not home treat on spec.

Whenever you are worried about the food intake, please switch from weighing weekly to weighing daily at the same time. If you notice a loss of weight of over 50g/2 oz in a short time, please see a vet; on the same day if the weight loss is 100g or more. If a guinea pig is listless, it should see a vet. Lethargy and full refusal to eat count as an emergency. Any stumbling piggy sould also be seen by a vet.

The crusts on your eyes look like they have been caused by watery fluid, not by the thick mucus that is caused by a respiratory infection (and I am sorry to say that a bit of vitamin C is not healing a bacterial respiratory infection, which can kill or cause long term damage if left untreated,
@BlueVictorian
).
Watery fluid is the sign of an irritation or damage to the eye, often from something stuck under a lid or a draft (if you have A/C in the room). If you see it for quite some time and the eye looks smaller (drawn in) compared to the other, then it is painful and it should be checked. It can just be a little hay stuck under a lid or a non-ulcerating hay poke.

We can help you better if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details since we have got members and enquiries from all over the world. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. That will make it appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any advice to what is available, doable and relevant where you are. thank you!
Click to expand...
I'm going to try and find a vet in my area who will see guinea pigs. Hopefully we can get him some help. Thank you for your time!
 
Could be a repertory infection, best see a vet ASAP
 
Quote from guinea linx

Crusty eyes can be a sign of an upper respiratory tract infection. A guinea pig with a respiratory infection may also have a snotty nose, be lethargic, and may not be eating. Respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics. Read the Dangerous Medications list before you see a vet. IF A RESPIRATORY INFECTION IS SUSPECTED, SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY.
 
Best wishes at the vets , please let us know how he gets on
 
gizzy said:
Best wishes at the vets , please let us know how he gets on
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Well...jaq seemed to be okay but he was hiding much more. There's was blood built in his throats and when the vets were grabbing him and cleaning his face he got stressed out and began gasping for air. The vet came back from putting him on oxygen and said his heart almost stopped and it was best to put him down. I have a very busy schedule and thought it was better to be with him because I knew his time was coming short. I didn't want to take him home and have him die alone in a cage so...we had to let him go. I'm very, very upset that I didn't take home earlier but...I thank you for your time and effort in helping.
 
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