Vets?

[Branston&Pickles]

We noticed last night in the corner of Branston's eye he has a slight cloudyness (its a very small patch, hard to see if you arn't really close) and when he moves his eye the inside bit looks slightly bloodshot.
Although he is his usual happy self, I was thinking of taking him to the vets this morning. Do you think this is necessary? Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I'm worried :...

Rachel

 

[Suzygpr]

Hi Rachel

It sounds from your description that he has got a scratch to the eye - it's best to go to the vet and get some ointment, if left untreated it may become ulcerated, very painful. The vet should also check to see if there's anything in the eye, a hay seed may have got under the eyelid.

Suzy x

 

[Branston&Pickles]

I've just got back from the vets, they seemed to think he has somehow scratched his eye as well. I've got some drops to put on twice a day. I'm just really worried because I lost my first guinea pig last week because he had an ulcer behind his eye :0

I haven't changed anything in their cages or runs recently, they have woodshavings and hay. So can't think why this has happened twice to me in the space of a few weeks :... does anyone have any idea what could be causing this to happen?

 

[mikulinek]

Hi,

Firstly, I'm sorry that you lost your first piggy last week and that you have another suffering a little at the moment.

It may be to do with their bedding/hay etc. What have you got in their cage? Sometimes piggies can get their eyes scratched on this kind of stuff because they hardly ever close their little eyes.

 

[Branston&Pickles]

They have woodshavings in their cage; a hay feeder on the side of their cage, a hanging ball which i sometimes fill with hay/veg and i sometimes put hay in their bedding area. He does love hay and is always eating it.

 

[mikulinek]

They have woodshavings in their cage; a hay feeder on the side of their cage, a hanging ball which i sometimes fill with hay/veg and i sometimes put hay in their bedding area. He does love hay and is always eating it.

I'm just thinking of any potential culprits there. It may be the woodshavings. A lot of piggies have no problem with the shavings but they can occasionally cause problems - especially if they're the "top" layer. It just might be the hanging ball but I doubt it. Our boys have got some hanging chews and they had problems at first - kept getting bumped by it as it swang back and forth. Now it's not a problem.

You could try changing from woodshavings. I know it's a hassle but you might find they react better to something else. Or else, we used to use bedding hay (not timothy hay but large bale - a lot cheaper) over the top of woodshavings. It take longer to clean the cage out but you've got a safer top level then.

 

[Branston&Pickles]

I don't think it's the hanging ball as its on the side of their cage so doesn't really get in the way and my other piggy didn't have one.

Both me and my mum have noticed recently the woodshavings seem quite dusty (even though they are dust extracted) compared to how they normally are. This wouldn't cause a scratch though.

I've been thinking of switching to fleece, my mum has just done it with all of her boys. I think i'll try changing, i also brought some pannels to build a C & C cage yesterday, so if all goes well they will be in there soon

Thanks for your advice and help.

 

[Suzygpr]

One of the most common cause of eye injuries is a hay poke - may be from the hay sticking out from the rack? Simply grooming vigourously could also do it - have they been treated for mites/nails trimmed? Popcorning youngsters can clonk into furniture in their cage or each other - you may never know the cause.

Very glad you got it treated so quickly, well done.

Suzy x