Eye Problems

[Tatalp]

I"m a little concerned about one of my pigs, Hannah. She had a buildup of that gooey stuuf that comes out of your eye under her left eye. This happened once before with the same eye and it cleared up in a few days, so I assumed it was just some irritation from hay, but since this is the second time, I'm worried. Doess anyone know why this is happening or if it's a serious concern?

Also, this doesn't worry me, but she does seem to be allegic to something outside, because when I put her in the grass(gras only, in her outdoor, grassless playpen she's fine) she gets watery eyes. Could this have something to do with it?

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Is it a milky substance?

http://www.guinealynx.info/eyes.html#discharge

[Tatalp]

It's more watery than milky, so that suggests an injury, but I couldn't see anything near the eye. She seems to be using the eye just fine and it isn't swollen or anything, and she doesn't draw away when I come near it, so I'm going to keep a close watch on her for a while and see how she's doing. I haven't seen any more discharge since yesterday, so maybe her eye was just rubbed by hay and she's feeling better now.

[Homemom]

It's more watery than milky, so that suggests an injury, but I couldn't see anything near the eye. She seems to be using the eye just fine and it isn't swollen or anything, and she doesn't draw away when I come near it, so I'm going to keep a close watch on her for a while and see how she's doing. I haven't seen any more discharge since yesterday, so maybe her eye was just rubbed by hay and she's feeling better now.

Any change in bedding at all? Dusty hay? I had issues over the summer with a batch of aspen that was not good. Both piggies in the cage ended up with what can be best described as seborrhea (? spelling). Three vet trips, medicated baths... ARRRGH! But something caused an irritation in a brand we never had problems with before. That was the only change. After two cage changes I had that lightbulb moment and tossed the aspen bag. Problem cleared up. Sadly, we lost our old teddy during this time. She also developed a upper respiratory infection while on the bedding (prone to them since) and this time it did not respond to treatment. But the only change was we had bought a new bag of bedding. There was no odor or anything to worry me. My son's boys like Carefresh. But my girls seem happiest on shavings.

What vet in No Va do you use? I am always looking for good vet referrals for many of my clients who have dogs but also other species. I have been using Dr. Crisawn in Dumfries but many of my clients are from the beltway area and not willing to drive down. I always like to get personal referrals whenever possible.

[Tatalp]

Homemom- Yes, there actually has been. For about 2 months they were on carefresh only, now they're on an apsen/carefresh mix. If it happens again(since she doesn't have any more discharge) I'll see if changing to only carefresh helps.

[Homemom]

Homemom- Yes, there actually has been. For about 2 months they were on carefresh only, now they're on an apsen/carefresh mix. If it happens again(since she doesn't have any more discharge) I'll see if changing to only carefresh helps.

OK!!! Now, what brand of aspen did you use? I was using whatever is sold in the big bag locally. I think it was Premiere (big black bag). I forget the name but it was a big compressed bag. I was actually shocked because the last time I had to get it, lots of big chucks and chips and I was happy I got a gad that was finer and softer. Where I generally get supplies was out, and I did not have the time that day to drive to Fairfax to get to Webber's or even get out to Booth. I ended up at PetCo. Just too pressed for time that day and I needed cage litter BADLY! I often mail order as I know I do not have to worry as much about stock being in or out and sometimes it is cheaper even with shipping! I just have to worry if the shipment will get here.

Anyhow, thought the aspen smelled fine and seemed OK, though texture seemd odd but I generally do not buy hat brand if I can help it because it is has had big chunks of wood in it in the past I had to sift out. This bag was nice and fine! But I wonder if it there may be a bad batch out there.

I just may head back to Booth and start getting back to the bales of shavings for the girls. Pain to store but never had issues with them and half the price and only have to get out monthly the bales are so large!

[Tatalp]

I've always used Premier! I will definetly change it! I've had to go to Petco to get bedding, because I haven't been able to find Booths(Weber's doesn't have large bags of bedding ), so where is it? I've heard of it. What brand of Aspen do you use now?

[Homemom]

I've always used Premier! I will definetly change it! I've had to go to Petco to get bedding, because I haven't been able to find Booths(Weber's doesn't have large bags of bedding ), so where is it? I've heard of it. What brand of Aspen do you use now?

I had issues with Premiere when I had to get it having chunks of wood in it. When I had my skinny (mom and pups dropped off at a local rescue in Stafford), I had to stop using it. I had to use pine only. My last bag of Aspen was Kaytee and that seemed much better. This most recent purchase I ended up getting pine. The girls actually seems to enjoy it more.

Webber's had the large Carefresh last time I went there (a few weeks back). But I had to ask for it. When I did not see it out, I asked and it was in a different area of the store. But getting there now is TOUGH. The traffic has gotten far worse and it can take me over an hour to get there now as opposed to just over half. I have to cross the Occoquan River bridge in Occoquan - the most direct route - and with the bridge work and 123 destruction zones! I stopped going because it was just now a half day excursion while the kid is at school and they stopped doing Sunday hours some time ago. And the traffic in that area (and here) on Saturdays is outrageous! Last trip to Webbers cost me 1/4 tank of gas (over $20) and took me almost ninety minutes to get there (I went up 395 to Little River Tpke and in to Fairfax that way) to avoid the bridge. I came home my normal way and it took over an hour. Since they do not open until ten, by the time I get home, my daughter has no solid nap time before we have to get to the school. She just does not sleep deeply in the van.

There are several Booths around here:

Lorton/Newington, Manassas, Warrenton, Fredericksburg, Tyson's Corner (go figure) etc. http://www.boothfeeds.com/locations.html

The problem with Manassas for me is I am on the other end of the county and have had quite a few close calls crossing Route 28. I tried going north, cutting across to 28 and coming south, no great way to do that! It is a nasty intersection and I have had several close calls while crossing with either people zipping around cars who have stopped to let me go or who had failed to stop while speeding up behind. It was not bad when I first starteds going there, but the past few years! That whole stretch of 28 up to the county line is deadly. Even now, what used to take 25 minutes is closer to 40.

Lorton is not bad to get to (as long as you do not fly past the row if buildings it is in!)

Watch the markups. Booth can be high. My vet carries Oxbow food. I just have to get them to carry the larger bags for me!

[Tatalp]

Tyson's Corner is nearest me(Heck, I could walk there from school!) So that's probably where I'd go. Webber's has big 10lb bags of Oxbow, so that's where I get my pellets.

I changed the bedding today to Carefresh only, and Hannah's doing great! She's her normal, selfish, antisocial, greedy self. Yay!

[Homemom]

Tyson's Corner is nearest me(Heck, I could walk there from school!) So that's probably where I'd go. Webber's has big 10lb bags of Oxbow, so that's where I get my pellets.

I changed the bedding today to Carefresh only, and Hannah's doing great! She's her normal, selfish, antisocial, greedy self. Yay!

Last couple times (spread out) I was there, they only had the smaller bags (or that was all I saw). How much are they running for the large bag?
Finger's crossed it was just the bedding!

Want to hear scary? The bag of pine I bought, nice, dry, no scent, fluffy but not dusty... I got at Walmart.

Just be careful (mommy in me) those Tyson's driver are SCAAAAAAARYYYYYY! I have never seen drivers like in Northern, VA! I grew up driving in Boston and some "fun" places (New York City and during a blizzard). Nothing prepared me for Northern Virginia!