One small eye?

[Bearbear]

I have just recently bought two new guinea pigs and I'm afraid one may have something wrong with her eye. I hadn't noticed until just today that one of her eyes is smaller that the other one. One looks bright, open, and healthy while the other looks like it can't open all the way. I tried to find info about it on the web, but I couldn't find anything.

My question is, should I take her to the vet to have it looked at? Or is it common and is fine?

[shypaw]

Can you take a photo of her? Does it look crusty, red or swollen?

[Froggirl009]

A picture would help. Also, please in the future, adopt and don't buy.

[Bearbear]

The SPCA didn't have any. And I couldn't find a rescue. Unfortunatly she's black and I only have my phone camera, so the eye isn't visible when I take a picture. The eye looks like a normal eye, except it is really small. Maybe half the size of the other eye. It seems that she can see from it, she closes it slightly when I put my finger close to it.

[krittercrazy]

Take her to a cavy savvy vet. The small eye may be a birth defect. But the eye that she is having trouble opening definately needs to be seen. And no, it is not common or normal except perhaps in over/in bred piggies. More than likely there are a number of issues that have yet to pop up for you.

[akstrohm]

There are always pigs available for adoption. Sometimes you just have to be patient and spend more time/effort searching. Regardless of what the shelters had at the time or how far away rescues are, you could have made the choice to adopt. There are plenty of people here willing to help you find pigs to adopt and to help with transportation.

And yes, your pigs should see a vet. The small eye may be a birth defect, and this pig could have other birth defects that need attention as well. Pet store pigs are very often missexed and pregnant, so you need to verify the sexes and check if one or both are pregnant. If you are not familiar with sexing pigs, it is best to have a vet do it for you. Also, pet store pigs are often sick and have mites or lice, so your vet can help you with treatment for those things as well.

[Bearbear]

Again, I searched and tried to adopt. I Cant drive myself anywhere so I could only go so far. I bought her from a mom and pop pet store that actually cares about their animals. I've gone there for years and they've helped me with even more fragile animals. They sexed them and I did also, just to make sure.

Thank you for all your useful information.

I get that it's better to adopt. However, out of pure curiosity, do you really believe that it's better to let a pig die in a store in a tiny cage, even if they are indeed healthy?

[Ly&Pigs]

The original poster has been told about adopting. This thread is about a the pigs eye, not about whether the poster adopted or not.

Off-topic Notice: Let's please get back to the original poster's topic! If you want to continue this off-topic discussion, please start a new thread.
Thank you.

[Ly&Pigs]

BearBear, I am not approving that last post because it's off topic and I clearly asked for this to stay on topic.

Right now you need to focus on your pigs eye and determine if it's a serious medical condition or a birth defect. That's what is important at this time.