Cataracts Below:

What is it? Rachel's Bubble (Left) has a cataract in the eye. As you can see a cataract just looks like the eye has gone cloudy.

What do I do? Although it impairs the guinea pigs vision (& can lead to blindness) it causes them no pain and doesn't require treatment (there is none available).

PLEASE NOTE sometimes guinea pigs eyes look a little cloudy when they haver an eye infection... which unlike cateracts needs promt treatment to prevent serious infection which might even result in eye loss. If you are unsure please see your vet or rodent specialist.

Fatty Eye

What is it? Fatty eye is where the guinea pigs eyelid is fatter than it should be & sticks out at the bottom of the eyelid. Below: The lovely Josh, belonging to Karen Malt shows us his fatty Eye.

What do I do? Fatty eye is nothing to worry about & causes the piggy no discomfort. Although in show circles it would be considered a fault in pet piggy's it just makes them look a little sad, with extra big, extra cute eyes!

 

 

 

 

Foreign Bodies in the Eye

What is it? Guineas can get things stuck in their eye... usually bit of hay or bedding.

What do I do? Gently remove it being careful not to push it deeper. Clean with optex eye wash.

Eye Infections

What is it? If the eye develops a film over it or goes cloudy (very similar to cateract pic at top of page) then it indicates your guinea might have an eye infection. This is usually the result of a foreign body in the eye (see above) causing injury.

What do I do? You can use a drop of Brolene eye drops for a minor infection, but if the symptoms persist or the eye looks swolen or scabs over you must see your vet asap who will be able to save the eye if caught early enough.

Eye Abcess

What is it? The guinea pig develops in or behind the eye. Not to be confused with an eye infection. If your piggy looks like this (see picture of Bubba left) then don;t make the mistake of thinking brolene eye ointment will shift it. The piggy needs urgent attention. Peter Gurney says a good rule of thumb to determine if an abcess is in or behind the eye is press gently around eye ... if the pig whines then it is behind, if pig doesn't flinch then it is usually IN the eye itself.

What do I do? Get urgent professional attention. Bubba (left) had an abcess behind the eye and required urgent surgery to avoid further complications or even death. Although the operation is straight forwards aftercare is all important to prevent infection and ensure recovery. Please see BUBBA's page in our Our boars section..

Conjunctivitis- an eye infection just like we get. See your vet or rodent specialist for advice.

Runny Eye

This can be a symptom of a cold. see breathing.