Two year old sheltie eye problem

[sheltiepiggies]

Hi folks - my gorgeous two year old sheltie boar (who I posted had juvenile keraritis as a pup) started getting sore eyes and losing weight just over a week ago and was a bit off his food. I took him to the vets who couldn’t see an obvious problem. They prescribed baytril, loxicom in case he was in pain and isathal for his eyes. Five days later I saw another vet as his eyes didn’t seem to be improving but he had put on weight and was eating normally again. They put some staining in and saw both his eyes were ulcerated but also frustratingly said they were not that experienced with piggies. Yesterday, 8 days after the original visit I saw another vet at the same practice who said his eyes were still ulcerated and the lids turning inwards a bit (entropion?). They said to continue with the Isathal but if no improvement next week to operate on his eye lids. That sounds risky/expensive/drastic? The experienced piggie vets (not even that local) are not taking any new patients. No-one in that practice seems to know what is causing it. I don’t know what to do or if he needs something else or whether they are getting better or not. Sometimes he closes his eyes, other times they are open but look sore. I don’t want him to lose his eyes or sight or lose him as he is my favourite piggie. Pictures attached for info. I’d really appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you.

 

[Maui & Marigold]

It looks like he could've gotten a hay poke, but I'm not quite sure

 

[Wiebke]

Hi folks - my gorgeous two year old sheltie boar (who I posted had juvenile keraritis as a pup) started getting sore eyes and losing weight just over a week ago and was a bit off his food. I took him to the vets who couldn’t see an obvious problem. They prescribed baytril, loxicom in case he was in pain and isathal for his eyes. Five days later I saw another vet as his eyes didn’t seem to be improving but he had put on weight and was eating normally again. They put some staining in and saw both his eyes were ulcerated but also frustratingly said they were not that experienced with piggies. Yesterday, 8 days after the original visit I saw another vet at the same practice who said his eyes were still ulcerated and the lids turning inwards a bit (entropion?). They said to continue with the Isathal but if no improvement next week to operate on his eye lids. That sounds risky/expensive/drastic? The experienced piggie vets (not even that local) are not taking any new patients. No-one in that practice seems to know what is causing it. I don’t know what to do or if he needs something else or whether they are getting better or not. Sometimes he closes his eyes, other times they are open but look sore. I don’t want him to lose his eyes or sight or lose him as he is my favourite piggie. Pictures attached for info. I’d really appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you.

Hi

Entropion is not all that uncommon in newborn babies. Guinea pigs have tiny eye lashes, which then rub against the eye surface and can over time cause major irritation and infections on the eye surface. Try to imagine living permanently with lashes sticking into your eye!
Here is some more US based information (always useful checking re. brand names and different practices): Guinea Lynx :: Eyes

It is a pretty easy procedure to correct since it is not cutting into the body; preferably straight away in the babies but it can be done in adults if the condition doesn't correct itself and is causing problems.

I hope that this helps you?

 

[sheltiepiggies]

Hi

Entropion is not all that uncommon in newborn babies. Guinea pigs have tiny eye lashes, which then rub against the eye surface and can over time cause major irritation and infections on the eye surface. Try to imagine living permanently with lashes sticking into your eye!
Here is some more US based information (always useful checking re. brand names and different practices): Guinea Lynx :: Eyes

It is a pretty easy procedure to correct since it is not cutting into the body; preferably straight away in the babies but it can be done in adults if the condition doesn't correct itself and is causing problems.

I hope that this helps you?

Thanks Wiebke. His eyes have improved a bit and the ulcers are now a bit brown and I don’t know what to do. Our vets don’t seem that experienced with guinea pigs and the recommended others are not excepting new patients. Is it worth me trying something stronger like chloramphenicol ointment? Grateful for any advice on that.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke. His eyes have improved a bit and the ulcers are now a bit brown and I don’t know what to do. Our vets don’t seem that experienced with guinea pigs and the recommended others are not excepting new patients. Is it worth me trying something stronger like chloramphenicol ointment? Grateful for any advice on that.

Chloramphenicol gel is about the strongest antibiotic eye drops or gel on you can get prescribed. The gel is longer lasting in effect, so your vet has actually done the right thing. Eye treatment is pretty much the same as with other pet species; you do not need to see a specialist vet.

If you have concerns, please contact the clinic again for a follow-up appointment.