Infected Piggie Eye?

[PiggyMom]

Yesterday I noticed my little female piggie, Rose, has an infected looking eye. The front corner is swollen & red, and she's got some crusties at each corner (front and back). It's only her left eye that is like this. Otherwise than her eye, she seems to be perfectly fine. She's eating normally, etc. What can I do for her? I've been wiping her eye every day with a warm damp cloth. Is there something I can put in it? I have Terramycin Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment with Polymyxin B Sulfate. It's made for dogs and I'm not sure if it's safe for use on piggies. What do you think might have caused this? She roots around alot in her bedding/hay and both are dusty. Thank you for your help!

 

[Piglet]

It could be pea eye. Does it look like this? https://guinealynx.info/images/pea-eye.jpg

 

[PiggyMom]

Hmmm, from reading that it sounds more like cherry eye than pea eye. It's only swollen and red in the front corner of her eye. And it's not hugely swollen, just enough to be noticable.

 

[Piglet]

Definately keep an eye on it - it may well just be an irritation. Put the pig under a lamp and inspect the eye for bits of hay/bedding.

 

[PiggyMom]

Okay, I'll definately do that! Should I continue to wipe her eye?

 

[Piglet]

I would, hang on let me just find a thread Rachy posted. Her pig had a piece of hay in it's eye.

Ok, she said that she got tweezers to get the hay out and put saline solution on the eye. I really hope your pig's ok!

 

[PiggyMom]

Thank you so much for your help, Piglet! I'll take a good look to see if she has any hay/bedding/stratches, etc. I'll try the saline solution, too! I'm really hoping it's just dust irritation from her digging & rooting around.

 

[Piglet]

No problem! If the swelling does increase, then I would say it is pea eye. Apparently, if a pig is chubby, it is more likely to get it. Do you think that your pig is overweight?

 

[PiggyMom]

Really? She's still pretty much a baby & a little chubby but I wouldn't say that she's overweight. If the swelling increases or it starts looking worse there will definately be a vet trip!

 

[Piglet]

I don't know if that's accurate information though - Yesterday, I read it on another forum so it could be a bit iffy!

 

[PiggyMom]

Well, I took a good look and there doesn't seem to be anything IN her eye. I did get a picture of the part I'm talking about, though:



Maybe it is Pea Eye? I'm really worried about her!

 

[Piglet]

Ouch, looks painfull. I am quite unfamiliar with this condition, so I really do not know how it looks ln "real life". Hopefully, somone else on this board can confirm whether it is pea eye. From the pictures I've seen on the internet, it does seem like the beginning of this condition.

 

[Cherryrosed]

Aww, poor pigger! I hope it gets better soon. She is soooo cute! I like the top of her head where the hair sticks up and has white in it.

 

[pennick]

Looks like cherry eye in which a dog gets. I would think you would need some sort of eye medication to treat that. I would definately take your piggy to the vet.

 

[kat_0521]

I heard about the eye condition your piggie has. (going by the picture you posted)
I can't remember the name for it, but it's just a pocket of fat. I'm not sure if it can be removed or if it's even necessary to remove it.
Good luck. Go to a cavy-savvy vet to get it properly diagnosed.

 

[JackSpicerRules]

Just wondering... What kind of litter are you using for your little piggie? Sammy 2 (Sammy 1 died T_T) Had a infected eye when I used CEDAR bedding/litter. It is NOT ok for the little piggies to have cedar! But if this is the case, it clears up in a week or so.
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[JackSpicerRules]

Oh wait... Nevermind! I'm stupid I didn't see the picture!

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Could also be an infection in the tear duct.