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Crusty Eyes What caused my guinea pig’s conjunctivitis

  • Thread starter GuineaPigParent36
  • Start date

GuineaPigParent36

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Cavy Slave
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Mar 3, 2024
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I recently took my 4-year-old Guinea pig Peanut Butter to the vet for eye discharge. The vet isn’t an expert in Guinea pigs but successfully treated a case of bumblefoot in another one of my Guinea pigs last year, and the nearest expert is several hours away while this vet is only a few minutes so I wanted to see what they could do first. The vet diagnosed Peanut Butter with conjunctivitis and gave us a drop, and I am already seeing improvement. However, she also said that he may not be getting enough vitamin C. I give him one of the Oxbow tabs daily, which is 25mg. The vet recommended 50-100mg. The eye issue arose a few weeks ago, but seemed to be improving so I waited. I did some research and heard good things about the Children’s Life brand with Guinea pigs but I can’t find that anywhere. PB’s been on the Oxbow brand his whole life and the issue only started recently. The vet recommended water drops but I know those aren’t good for them. Would it work to syringe him the water drops? Does he even need more Vitamin C? Would the drops be doing anything if it was vitamin C? The vet said it could also be bacteria but suspected that he wasn’t having enough vitamin C. I know all pigs absorb it differently but my others are having no issues with it and his issues only arose recently. I know that this was a bit long but I’m really uncertain about what to do about this.
 
I’m glad to hear that PB is recovering. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial or a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C can help the eye heal faster, so supplements may be beneficial. If PB likes the Oxbow wafers, feeding 2 or 3 wafers each day is an easy way to get increase vitamin C.

Bell peppers are also a good source of vitamin C if PB likes those. However, be careful not to feed a lot of peppers because they can trigger bloat in some pigs.

Water soluble drops, like Vita Drops, can be syringed. I’ve used those mixed with Critical Care. My pig doesn’t like the drops, which are concentrated and have a strong flavor. If you try a brand of vitamin C made for children, be sure there are no additives like artificial sweeteners.
 
I’m glad to hear that PB is recovering. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial or a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C can help the eye heal faster, so supplements may be beneficial. If PB likes the Oxbow wafers, feeding 2 or 3 wafers each day is an easy way to get increase vitamin C.

Bell peppers are also a good source of vitamin C if PB likes those. However, be careful not to feed a lot of peppers because they can trigger bloat in some pigs.

Water soluble drops, like Vita Drops, can be syringed. I’ve used those mixed with Critical Care. My pig doesn’t like the drops, which are concentrated and have a strong flavor. If you try a brand of vitamin C made for children, be sure there are no additives like artificial sweeteners.
Thanks for the advice, PB loves bell peppers so I’ll give him a few of those and look for a vitamin C for children to give him.
 
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