White Discharge From Eye

[Veggies Galore]

I have heard this mentioned before - but I am a bit concerned . I noticed a white discharge in Bess's left eye yesterday evening . I checked her this morning and she looked OK today - but , this evening , the discharge has happened again .

It is only the one eye ...

It looks worse in reality than it does in the picture !

 

[Wiebke]

I have heard this mentioned before - but I am a bit concerned . I noticed a white discharge in Bess's left eye yesterday evening . I checked her this morning and she looked OK today - but , this evening , the discharge has happened again .

It is only the one eye ...

It looks worse in reality than iView attachment 44247 t does in the picture !

White discharge is simply cleaning fluid and nothing to worry about. Unlike humans, guinea pigs don't blink to clean their eyes, they lubricate the surface with a milky fluid, which can sometimes not drain away fully via the tear duct and collect a bit in the corner of the eye or sometimes dry on the fur below the eye.

You need to go on alert and if necessary see a vet if you notice clear, watery fluid coming from an eye, as that indicates an irritation or non-ulcerating injury (can form clear/transparent crust when it dries) or if you notice thick yellowish/greenish crusts on the eyes, which are a sign of a URI (respiratory infection).

Guinea pig body quirks

 

[Veggies Galore]

Thanks Wiebke - I was just a bit concerned that it is only one of her eyes and that it has happened on 2 separate occasions within 24 hours

 

[ayemee]

My older girl Peaches often has milky eyes. I got really scared when I first saw it so I understand your worry.

Bess is so cute.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke - I was just a bit concerned that it is only one of her eyes and that it has happened on 2 separate occasions within 24 hours

It can well be that her tear duct is a little clogged up at the moment. Guinea pigs lubricate their eye regularly, but we usually don't notice. I would not worry!

 

[Veggies Galore]

Bess is so cute.

Oh - she's definitely cute ! And very bold - she let me take that close up of her - although I must admit, she was somewhat distracted by the Carrot House !

 

[Veggies Galore]

My older girl Peaches often has milky eyes. I got really scared when I first saw it so I understand your worry.

Bess is so cute.

It can well be that her tear duct is a little clogged up at the moment. Guinea pigs lubricate their eye regularly, but we usually don't notice. I would not worry!

Thank you - both of you . It's really reassuring to be able to share these worries .

 

[VickiA]

It's odd isn't it? I kept piggies for 14 years before I ever noticed it, and even now I'm aware of it I can honestly say I've only seen it a couple of times. It's almost always after they've been cleaning their faces.

 

[Veggies Galore]

It's odd isn't it? I kept piggies for 14 years before I ever noticed it, and even now I'm aware of it I can honestly say I've only seen it a couple of times. It's almost always after they've been cleaning their faces.

Glad you mentioned that -as she had just cleaned her face this evening.

 

[Freela]

They secrete those milky tears to use to clean their faces. It's not always very noticeable (I really only saw it on Linney when she was outdoors- I think the grass/sun/pollen may have irritated her eyes somewhat. She would also groom herself a LOT outdoors- the grass may have been messing up her fur!) But it's normal and not a problem.

 

[VickiA]

I should add, that before I joined the forum @PiggyOwner this was the very issue I googled and found the answer on the forum

 

[Veggies Galore]

Update :

Bess's eye is looking much better this morning.



It could do with a bit of a clean - but, she's enjoying her breakfast so much - I'll leave her be for a bit .