Tofu’s eye infection

[JaseChase]

Been to the vets today after spotting that Tofu had a very cloudy, weeping eye when I was doing their cage clean this morning. Vet said he’s scratched his eye, probably hay poke or with his claw, (she used a green dye and said it was damaged). She has given me Isathal antibiotic eye drops to give him twice a day for ten days and said to take him back if it isn’t starting to clear up in a couple of days

Tofu has only been to the vets once before and that resulted in syringed antibiotics for a foot infection, so I haven’t done eye drops before. I’ve been back through the piggie whispering guides but am I meant to put the drops in and literally rub them with my finger? The vet said to do this but I’m worried about irritating his eye more as it does look very sore. She also said that the only other option was injected antibiotics but I thought (after reading on here) that wasn’t ideal for piggies

He’s acting normally and his weight hasn’t changed but I’ll keep an eye on that over the next few days. For background, Tofu is 2 years old and lives with his brother Noodle

Piggie tax to thank you for supporting my poorly little man!

 

[Piggies&buns]

You hold the eyelid open and put the drops in. You don’t need to rub it.

Has he been prescribed any painkillers? It is normal to have them with an eye injury.

 

[JaseChase]

You hold the eyelid open and put the drops in. You don’t need to rub it.

Has he been prescribed any painkillers? It is normal to have them with an eye injury.

That makes more sense, thank you!

No he wasn’t given any painkillers this time. I do have some Loxicom leftover from a few months ago, I could call the vet tomorrow to ask about it

 

[piggl]

How many months has it been open? I believe Metacam's life once opening is 6 months, but your vet will tell you more about this.

My boy was a bit wiggly with his eyedrops so I found it much easier to either wrap him in a towel or back his bum up against my stomach so he has nowhere to back up to. Another person to hold your boy would also be great.

I hope your boy starts to feel better soon x

 

[Wiebke]

Been to the vets today after spotting that Tofu had a very cloudy, weeping eye when I was doing their cage clean this morning. Vet said he’s scratched his eye, probably hay poke or with his claw, (she used a green dye and said it was damaged). She has given me Isathal antibiotic eye drops to give him twice a day for ten days and said to take him back if it isn’t starting to clear up in a couple of days

Tofu has only been to the vets once before and that resulted in syringed antibiotics for a foot infection, so I haven’t done eye drops before. I’ve been back through the piggie whispering guides but am I meant to put the drops in and literally rub them with my finger? The vet said to do this but I’m worried about irritating his eye more as it does look very sore. She also said that the only other option was injected antibiotics but I thought (after reading on here) that wasn’t ideal for piggies

He’s acting normally and his weight hasn’t changed but I’ll keep an eye on that over the next few days. For background, Tofu is 2 years old and lives with his brother Noodle

Piggie tax to thank you for supporting my poorly little man!

View attachment 227784

Hi

You gently pull the lower eyelid away by putting a little pressure below it. Aim the drops into the gap. Please do not rub the drops vigorously into an already painful eye; usually it distributes ok on its own as the eye is much smaller than our human one.
It is easier if another person holds a wiggly piggy but if they can tuck into their favourite food and are occupied with stuffing themselves, then that can additionally working when you are on your own.

All the best.

Use our whispering techniques (gentle ear fondling as a reminder or rougher forcing a chin up with an uncooperative piggy) to assert your authority if needed but also give plenty of assurance and praise during and after.

 

[JaseChase]

How many months has it been open? I believe Metacam's life once opening is 6 months, but your vet will tell you more about this.

My boy was a bit wiggly with his eyedrops so I found it much easier to either wrap him in a towel or back his bum up against my stomach so he has nowhere to back up to. Another person to hold your boy would also be great.

I hope your boy starts to feel better soon x

Ahh true it’s probably past shelf life (used about seven months ago) - I think I’ll email the vet tomorrow to see what she thinks. She did say to go back/ask for advice if it’s not clearing up in a couple of days anyway

Hi

You gently pull the lower eyelid away by putting a little pressure below it. Aim the drops into the gap. Please do not rub the drops vigorously into an already painful eye; usually it distributes ok on its own as the eye is much smaller than our human one.
It is easier if another person holds a wiggly piggy but if they can tuck into their favourite food and are occupied with stuffing themselves, then that can additionally working when you are on your own.

All the best.

Use our whispering techniques (gentle ear fondling as a reminder or rougher forcing a chin up with an uncooperative piggy) to assert your authority if needed but also give plenty of assurance and praise during and after.

That’s really helpful, thank you! Not rubbing it in feels so much better I was quite confused when the vet said to do that

I’ve just given him the first dose and he took it quite well - I did indeed hold him against me (thanks for the tip!) and he munched on a long bit of coriander while I squeezed it in

There is still quite a bit of gunk in his eye (it’s been weepy all day and the dye from the vet added to it) so should I be wiping that away before applying the drops? Thanks again for your help!

Poorly boy was popcorning when he went back in the cage so he’s clearly feeling alright - just likes to cause me worry!

 

[Wiebke]

Ahh true it’s probably past shelf life (used about seven months ago) - I think I’ll email the vet tomorrow to see what she thinks. She did say to go back/ask for advice if it’s not clearing up in a couple of days anyway


That’s really helpful, thank you! Not rubbing it in feels so much better I was quite confused when the vet said to do that

I’ve just given him the first dose and he took it quite well - I did indeed hold him against me (thanks for the tip!) and he munched on a long bit of coriander while I squeezed it in

There is still quite a bit of gunk in his eye (it’s been weepy all day and the dye from the vet added to it) so should I be wiping that away before applying the drops? Thanks again for your help!

Poorly boy was popcorning when he went back in the cage so he’s clearly feeling alright - just likes to cause me worry!

Depending on the severity of the injury, it takes about 2-4 days to stop the ulceration.

What your vet meant was just ever so gently giving the closed eye a little circle with a finger but without applying much pressure.

You can gently wipe away anything that has gone over the edge of the eye but please don't go into the eye.

We generally recommend a carbomer based tear gel lubricant which are widely available online or from a pharmacy (don't mention guinea pigs). Any brand will do.

This helps with removing the ulceration gunk, rehydrates the sore eye (less soreness and more comfort) and also helps with the healing process in the deeper layers. Since I have started using it upon dispensation/recommendation from my piggy savvy vet, it has made a noticeable difference with the speed of the healing process as I am dealing with hay pokes fairly regularly with so many piggies. Normal artificial tear drops can be used but they are not as long lasting and a efficient - and much trickier to apply than the gel.
You need to wait for at least half an hour after any application of the prescribed antibiotic eye drops before you can apply the lubricant gel in order to allow the antibiotic to be absorbed. With tear gel, you are aiming at three applications in a day if at all possible. With tear drops you can do 4.

Please brace for the eye looking worse at some point when a healing blood vessel appears to bring oxygen to the injured area - it is the normal healing process for any wounds in the body, only we never get to see it.
The eye often goes a bit cloudy inside (remnants of the infection) in the very last stages. A superficial scratch or minor pokes tends to heal more quickly. The first step is always to stop the infection and the ulcerating gunk it poduces.

I hope that this helps you to understand the healing process and how you can support it. The tear gel is not claased as a medication and is not necessarily stocked by all vets.

 

[Merab]

Isathal is good stuff and even with uncooperative piggies it works very effectively.
When Micah had hay poke I had to wrap him tightly in a towel but he still managed to close his eye just as I put a drop in !

Hope Tofu’s eye heals quickly

 

[JaseChase]

Depending on the severity of the injury, it takes about 2-4 days to stop the ulceration.

What your vet meant was just ever so gently giving the closed eye a little circle with a finger but without applying much pressure.

You can gently wipe away anything that has gone over the edge of the eye but please don't go into the eye.

We generally recommend a carbomer based tear gel lubricant which are widely available online or from a pharmacy (don't mention guinea pigs). Any brand will do.

This helps with removing the ulceration gunk, rehydrates the sore eye (less soreness and more comfort) and also helps with the healing process in the deeper layers. Since I have started using it upon dispensation/recommendation from my piggy savvy vet, it has made a noticeable difference with the speed of the healing process as I am dealing with hay pokes fairly regularly with so many piggies. Normal artificial tear drops can be used but they are not as long lasting and a efficient - and much trickier to apply than the gel.
You need to wait for at least half an hour after any application of the prescribed antibiotic eye drops before you can apply the lubricant gel in order to allow the antibiotic to be absorbed. With tear gel, you are aiming at three applications in a day if at all possible. With tear drops you can do 4.

Please brace for the eye looking worse at some point when a healing blood vessel appears to bring oxygen to the injured area - it is the normal healing process for any wounds in the body, only we never get to see it.
The eye often goes a bit cloudy inside (remnants of the infection) in the very last stages. A superficial scratch or minor pokes tends to heal more quickly. The first step is always to stop the infection and the ulcerating gunk it poduces.

I hope that this helps you to understand the healing process and how you can support it. The tear gel is not claased as a medication and is not necessarily stocked by all vets.

Thank you so much for this! Knowing what to expect is going to calm my anxiety a lot. I've ordered some carbomer gel for him that should be coming tomorrow, will give that a try. He's had his morning dose and he's coping very well but my goodness it looks gunky!

Isathal is good stuff and even with uncooperative piggies it works very effectively.
When Micah had hay poke I had to wrap him tightly in a towel but he still managed to close his eye just as I put a drop in !

Hope Tofu’s eye heals quickly

The towel trick is very useful thank you! Tofu does like to squeeze his eye closed as soon as I get near haha. I think I got most of it in this morning though. Luckily he's my chiller piggie so quite happy to be in my lap and handled, if it was Noodle I'd be having a nightmare because he's a wiggler and also fancies himself an escape artist

Some pics of Tofu's eye compared to his good one (he did not want me to get a good angle of his bad one apparently), and both of them just because Noodle was feeling left out

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for this! Knowing what to expect is going to calm my anxiety a lot. I've ordered some carbomer gel for him that should be coming tomorrow, will give that a try. He's had his morning dose and he's coping very well but my goodness it looks gunky!



The towel trick is very useful thank you! Tofu does like to squeeze his eye closed as soon as I get near haha. I think I got most of it in this morning though. Luckily he's my chiller piggie so quite happy to be in my lap and handled, if it was Noodle I'd be having a nightmare because he's a wiggler and also fancies himself an escape artist

Some pics of Tofu's eye compared to his good one (he did not want me to get a good angle of his bad one apparently), and both of them just because Noodle was feeling left out

View attachment 227834 View attachment 227835
View attachment 227833

It doesn't look too bad, to be honest. Hang on in there and hopefully in 2 weeks or a little over he will be as good as new!

Right now, the poorly eye is very sore and uncomfortable, so he really doesn't want anything near it. That is very normal for this stage. You have got a bit of infection inside the eye (it looks very dull); the gel is best for tackling the deeper layers of that.

All the best and just push through it. It takes a few days for the antibiotic to stop the infection since it needs time to build up for full efficiency. An antibiotic is not a painkiller that works straight away. You should be over the worst in about 2-3 days.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending loads of healing vibes to Tofu

 

[JaseChase]

It doesn't look too bad, to be honest. Hang on in there and hopefully in 2 weeks or a little over he will be as good as new!

Right now, the poorly eye is very sore and uncomfortable, so he really doesn't want anything near it. That is very normal for this stage. You have got a bit of infection inside the eye (it looks very dull); the gel is best for tackling the deeper layers of that.

All the best and just push through it. It takes a few days for the antibiotic to stop the infection since it needs time to build up for full efficiency. An antibiotic is not a painkiller that works straight away. You should be over the worst in about 2-3 days.

This is so helpful, thank you Wiebke - I'm glad to know it's not too bad in the grand scale of haypoke! Tofu's eye is very dull but less weepy today, got the gel coming later to try adding in as well

Sending loads of healing vibes to Tofu

Thank you Tofu decided to be less cooperative with his morning dose and I think I got more eye drops on his cheek than in his eye lol. Third attempt got it in there though

Noodle has to get some morning coriander as well or he squeaks at Tofu the entire time so he's doing well out of this haha. Weight and behaviour still the same for Tofu so he's not adding to my worries at least (which is good because I've got to run the dog to the vet later today for tummy trouble - clearly jealous of the attention the piggies were getting It never rains it pours!)

Tofu has sought out his favourite hidey post-morning dose

 

[Wiebke]

This is so helpful, thank you Wiebke - I'm glad to know it's not too bad in the grand scale of haypoke! Tofu's eye is very dull but less weepy today, got the gel coming later to try adding in as well



Thank you Tofu decided to be less cooperative with his morning dose and I think I got more eye drops on his cheek than in his eye lol. Third attempt got it in there though

Noodle has to get some morning coriander as well or he squeaks at Tofu the entire time so he's doing well out of this haha. Weight and behaviour still the same for Tofu so he's not adding to my worries at least (which is good because I've got to run the dog to the vet later today for tummy trouble - clearly jealous of the attention the piggies were getting It never rains it pours!)

Tofu has sought out his favourite hidey post-morning dose

View attachment 227893

There is usually some spillage with uncooperative piggies. Just hang on in there. It's going to get better again but you can't hurry on the healing process. The eye is looking OK for this stage.

Sorry about your dog.

 

[JaseChase]

Just done this morning's isathal and Tofu's eye has a red patch just under his top eyelid - it looks like a scratch to me and then it's very cloudy around that patch. The rest of his eye is actually looking better but I just wanted to ask if this is part of the normal healing process or if I should be worried? I am going to email the pictures to my vet tomorrow as well just in case. The carbomer gel I'm using is siccaforte and I do think it's helping

Today he squeaked both times I picked him up (unusual, he's usually a quiet piggie. Noodle is chief wheeker) I also noticed him squeaking yesterday and thought it might have been because Noodle stepped on him (he ran over the hidey Tofu was in at veg time, helpfully lol) but it does sound like he might be in pain

If the pics are too blurry I can try getting some more when I do his next siccaforte, these were after he'd had isathal. Was on my own because partner was walking the dog (who is also on antibiotics but should be fine in a week, thankfully) but I can get help taking pics with an extra pair of hands

Thank you for the help, I do really appreciate it!

 

[Wiebke]

Just done this morning's isathal and Tofu's eye has a red patch just under his top eyelid - it looks like a scratch to me and then it's very cloudy around that patch. The rest of his eye is actually looking better but I just wanted to ask if this is part of the normal healing process or if I should be worried? I am going to email the pictures to my vet tomorrow as well just in case. The carbomer gel I'm using is siccaforte and I do think it's helping

Today he squeaked both times I picked him up (unusual, he's usually a quiet piggie. Noodle is chief wheeker) I also noticed him squeaking yesterday and thought it might have been because Noodle stepped on him (he ran over the hidey Tofu was in at veg time, helpfully lol) but it does sound like he might be in pain

If the pics are too blurry I can try getting some more when I do his next siccaforte, these were after he'd had isathal. Was on my own because partner was walking the dog (who is also on antibiotics but should be fine in a week, thankfully) but I can get help taking pics with an extra pair of hands

Thank you for the help, I do really appreciate it!

View attachment 228045View attachment 228046View attachment 228047View attachment 228048

Hi

That is obviously the site of the injury which is becoming fully visible now that the infection has stopped from developing and the ulceration has gone. The healing process is going to take another two weeks.

Please keep on treating but see your vet this coming for a check up if you have concerns.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending loads of healing vibes to Tofu x

I would send the photos to the vet, that’s a good idea and gives you peace of mind

 

[JaseChase]

Hi

That is obviously the site of the injury which is becoming fully visible now that the infection has stopped from developing and the ulceration has gone. The healing process is going to take another two weeks.

Please keep on treating but see your vet this coming for a check up if you have concerns.

Sending loads of healing vibes to Tofu x

I would send the photos to the vet, that’s a good idea and gives you peace of mind

Thank you both it’s much appreciated! I thought the red scratch was probably part of the healing process but wasn't one hundred percent sure what’s normal and what’s not. I'll double check with the vet tomorrow just to be absolutely sure. It looks so sore bless him

His weight is still normal and other than the squeaking he's behaving normally so I think I'm just overly worrying haha - will keep going with the isathal and eye gel. He took his second dose of gel today much better than the isathal this morning so maybe it had just been painful without meds overnight? It’s less cloudy again as well so I think he’s going in the right direction

More piggie tax of my mischief boys (from a couple months ago)

 

[JaseChase]

Got some better pictures with partner’s help tonight, will send these to the vet tomorrow

He quite happily munched on some coriander while I did his isathal and gel tonight (half an hour apart) and I think some of the cloudiness has cleared up again. It’s just that red scratch that looks so sore and he doesn’t like me going anywhere near it, unsurprisingly

 

[JaseChase]

Vet has seen the pictures and recommended Tofu come back in for a checkup He's booked in for 5:50 this evening

I'm hoping they're just being overly cautious to make sure nothing sinister is going on, but I am quite worried. He was squeaking in pain again with his morning meds today

 

[JaseChase]

Sorry for posting again so soon but I've just weighed him and he's down to 848g (his normal is 1200g, at the vets on Wednesday he was 1175g). I'll of course talk to the vet about this later but guessing this means I'll need to start daily weighing and recovery feeding, I've got emeraid and probiotics in

I'm wondering if he needs a painkiller as he's still squeaking when I pick him up. Really worried now and kicking myself for not daily weighing from Wednesday, as he was still enthusiastically eating veggies and I've seen him tucking into hay I left it but I know hay intake can't be judged by eye. I feel so bad for him

 

[piggl]

That is quite a significant amount to drop in a few days. Definitely step in with support feeding as much as you can get in and see how it goes at the vet.

I would definitely be getting some painkiller but I would also be wondering why he is squeaking in pain when being picked up, you may to look into ruling out anything else going on. Good luck at the vets, let us know how you get on x

 

[Piggies&buns]

Are you absolutely certain your scales are working correctly today? That is a huge loss in just a few days.

Definitely syringe feed

I hope he is ok

 

[JaseChase]

I did wonder if my scales were off so I weighed Noodle too and he was in normal range (1205g). I tried Tofu a few times and got 768g, 848g, and 869g for him so I am quite concerned

The vet will weigh him later as well to make sure it's not just my scales. Kinda hoping it is because that's so much loss

I've got emeraid and probiotics in as well as syringes but is there anything else I should order in for him for syringe feeding? I'll ask the vet about the squeaking and painkillers as well as the weight loss. Fingers crossed they'll get to the bottom of it

 

[Piggies&buns]

It sounds like you’ve got the syringe feeding supplies covered.
Good luck

 

[Merab]

Hope the vet trip goes well.

 

[JaseChase]

Back from the vets. Thankfully his weight was higher there than on my scales at 1.125kg - so still down from his usual 1200 but nowhere near as bad. I'll change my scales battery (lol) and keep up with daily weighing just in case

She said that his eye infection isn't clearing up on the isathal so she's given me stronger antibiotics (still eye drops) and a painkiller. She took him through to the back to check his eye with the bigger tools and confirmed that everything is still attached and everything is where it should be, so she thinks it must be where he got scratched has had an infection set in which is the red spot. Hence the stronger antibiotics

Tofu is now prescribed:

Clorogen (chloramphenicol) eye drops 0.5% - one drop three times a day
Rheumocam (meloxicom) dog 15ml - 0.6ml once a day

She said to send her pictures of his eye in three days time and we'll take it from there. Preliminary prescription is five days for painkiller and a week for antibiotics but she said if I think he's still in pain after five days I can keep going, and based on the pictures in three days she'll make a plan for if he needs anything for longer or to be seen again. She said it would be a bit of teamwork with me and her to get him better

I've still got the carbomer eye gel, should I keep going with that as well? Half an hour either side of the antibiotic I presume. I've still got the syringe feed in if his weight does drop, am I right that anything over 100g is the point to step in? He's down about 70-80g from usual now

Poorly little man just likes to stress me out! I like my vet, she's been very good with him in the past but she did say they don't see a huge amount of guinea pigs. She was debating giving him oral antibiotics as well but for now decided against to see how the stronger eye drops do

Thank you so much for the help and well wishes. My little guy has me worried!