Squinting Eye?

[Mariam]

Hi! I got my first new guinea pig for my 14th birthday yesterday, and he's really cute and I really love him! This morning there was pee and poo kinda all over the bottom (main part) of his cage, so I obviously started to clean it up. So I picked him up while he was inside of his hut (I didn't touch him because I wasn't sure if it was too soon and didn't want to scare him). Anyways, I cleaned up his cage and left him on the 2nd floor because thats where the main food dish is and I wanted him to get used to the upstairs section. When he was in his hiding hut, I noticed his eye was squinted and there was something that looked like bedding in his eye but it looked a little to water to be that so I'm not really sure. His eye would open almost all the way for a bit, but then he would squint it again (not closed all the way, you can still see his eye) I noticed there was a small (VERY small) amount of that same substance of that bedding like thing on the bottom of his eye. (It's a very small amount unlike the obvious bit on the top lid. I'm really worried about it and I need to know if I need to take him to the vet, or if it's something like that stuff in your eyes when you wake up, because it was not there last night, and right now his other eye is perfectly bright and large. Please help! Thanks!
P.S. If it helps, one of his siblings at the pet shops eye was completely shut and looked like it was stuck together with white stuff..... Could that have passed to my piggie? ):

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I would definitely suggest going to the vet, is it hay in his eye? Have you or your folks tried cleaning it?

If something has damaged the eye it's definitely a vet visit, just to make sure and probably get some eye drops for him.

If it's a condition that has passed from a pig at the pet shop (which is likely in close quarters) then it will also have to be treated by the vet.

With medication I'm sure he'll be fine

 

[Mariam]

Thanks for the help I'm happy to say that he's fine (I'm pretty sure). The little flake thing is now on his fur on his cheek and I slightly took it off and the other eye is returning to being bright and normal like the other one. I'm still going to keep a close eye on him just in case it is a problem rather than just a little flake.

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum.

You already sound like a very committed owner, and it is lovely to hear you are thinking of your guinea pig and giving him a few days to settle in before trying to handle him.
I just wanted to add that if you only just got your piggie and he does have an illness or infection, then the pet shop should pay for his treatment, as they clearly sold you an unwell animal.
Keep your receipt and if you do need to take him to the vet, keep that receipt too, and then go along with a parent to speak to someone at the shop.

Does your piggie have a friend with him?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I got my first new guinea pig for my 14th birthday yesterday, and he's really cute and I really love him! This morning there was pee and poo kinda all over the bottom (main part) of his cage, so I obviously started to clean it up. So I picked him up while he was inside of his hut (I didn't touch him because I wasn't sure if it was too soon and didn't want to scare him). Anyways, I cleaned up his cage and left him on the 2nd floor because thats where the main food dish is and I wanted him to get used to the upstairs section. When he was in his hiding hut, I noticed his eye was squinted and there was something that looked like bedding in his eye but it looked a little to water to be that so I'm not really sure. His eye would open almost all the way for a bit, but then he would squint it again (not closed all the way, you can still see his eye) I noticed there was a small (VERY small) amount of that same substance of that bedding like thing on the bottom of his eye. (It's a very small amount unlike the obvious bit on the top lid. I'm really worried about it and I need to know if I need to take him to the vet, or if it's something like that stuff in your eyes when you wake up, because it was not there last night, and right now his other eye is perfectly bright and large. Please help! Thanks!
P.S. If it helps, one of his siblings at the pet shops eye was completely shut and looked like it was stuck together with white stuff..... Could that have passed to my piggie? ):

Hi and welcome

Please have your piggy seen by a vet promptly and have it checked for some hay stuck/potentially causing an ucler. Also have it checked for a potential URI (respiratory infection), as crusty or gunky eyes are a symptom for that. Untreated URIs can kill or permanently damage a guinea pigs. Young shop guinea pigs, who have lost their homes, are stressed and don't yet have a fully working immune system are particularly prone to catching it.
You should be able to reclaim any vet cost for issues that have originated at the shop. It comes under the heading of selling damaged wares.
Guinea Lynx :: Eyes
Guinea Lynx :: URI

I would not consider getting it a same gender companion before you are sure that your piggy is not infected and then look for a friend ideally in a good rescue that only rehomed healthy/quarantined guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are group animals and should not be kept as singles; it is the biggest and most important gift you can make your guinea in its whole life.
Companionship
Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations

Please take the time to have a read through our new owners guide collection; you will find it very helpful as it addresses the most often asked about issues for new owners and also includes some important basic information that many newbies are not aware of, but that can avoid major problems down the line: New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit

 

[Tiamolly123]

What do you use on the floor/cage, I think maybe you do need to see a vet. There may be some in his eye, that you can't see, it will probably just need flushing, so it isn't going to be to expensive. My vet would do that for free. Is your piggy an indoor or outdoor one. The first thing you should do is go up to the top of of this screen to the vet locator. These are vets that know all about piggies, they call them cavy savvy vets. Your normal one probably wouldn't have a clue & may do or recommend something that may harm him. Good luck & welcome to the forum.
Note the phone number & address of your chosen vet so if you do have an emergency you know all th details, then you can get prompt help.
Have fun with your Piggie oh I nearly forget when he/she is settled we would love to see a photo of your piggy.
Belated Happy Birthday

 

[Mariam]

For the floor I use carefresh bedding, and the upstairs part is fleece. And he does not have another friend sadly because his other brother was sick with the shut eye. I want to get another friend for him but I'm not sure how to bond them, but maybe since mine is young if I get another young one they will bond. And just to be safe I asked my mom to set up an appointment with our vet Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Mariam]

While he was drinking water I got a few pictures of the bad eye. How bad do you guys think it looks?

 

[Stayc1989]

Have you tried gently wiping it with some warm water and a cotton pad to see if you can get anything out? It may be something stuck but to be honest if his friend at the pet shop had it too it is probably something that requires drops.
The best thing to do is take him to the vets and if he does have something then you should tell the pet shop because they should either give you a refund on your piggy and let you keep him or they should pay his vets bills. Also by telling the shop it also helps the other piggies in the shop too as they may also need drops for their eyes

 

[Stayc1989]

For the floor I use carefresh bedding, and the upstairs part is fleece. And he does not have another friend sadly because his other brother was sick with the shut eye. I want to get another friend for him but I'm not sure how to bond them, but maybe since mine is young if I get another young one they will bond. And just to be safe I asked my mom to set up an appointment with our vet Thanks for the help everyone!

Also maybe you could go back for his brother if the pet shop is willing to accept there is something wrong with him and 1 either treat him themselves or 2 pay the vets bills if you take him on.