Chava medical thread

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:21 pm

Chava is an approximately 2 year old female guinea pig I took home from a rescue about a year and a half ago. She gets regular check-ups at Adobe Animal Hospital in Los Altos, CA, but has generally been a very healthy pig. She had mites and ringworm when I first brought her home, but no medical issues since then. She is unfixed and weights about 1035 kg.

Yesterday morning, I noticed that something was wrong with her eye- it was opaque and swollen and there was a bit of red in it. I took her to Adobe immediately to have Dr. Nakamura take a look at it, and he confirmed my suspicion with an eye stain - the cornea is scratched, and pretty badly. I was sent home with metacam for the pain and gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution (http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/genta ... th_ids.htm).

This evening, however, her eye looks much worse. To be honest, it sort of looks like it is scabbing. There is no pus, discharge, or crusting, and Chava is still active and eating with no problems. I was unable to find any pictures of this type of guinea pig eye injury anywhere online, so I took some of my own:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151 ... C05333.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151 ... C05335.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151 ... C05338.jpg

Mods, feel free to save and use these pictures, since it looks like the site could use them. I will be taking more as the situation progresses, as well.

My question is, is this how it's supposed to look? Chava is scheduled to see the vet again on Friday morning, but I wonder if she shouldn't go in sooner. What do you guys think? As I said, the eye does not look infected at all, and her behavior is otherwise totally normal. Any thoughts welcome!

Post » Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:44 pm

Great pics! This is very unusual. It sounds like you have done everything right though. Is the eye preparation an ointment or liquid? Ointments often adhere better.

Here is the clearest pic:

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:50 pm

Unusual, eh? That's not good. I hope it's treatable. I was given drops rather than an ointment, with instructions to use them every 8 hours. Perhaps when I go back on Friday I should ask about the possibility of switching to an ointment?

As I said, feel free to keep and use the pictures. I would have emailed copies to you, but I could not seem to find an email address under the site's contact information.

Mum · Post » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:08 pm

That does look bad. I had a baby with a serious corneal ulcer, and I had to put those same eye drops in his eye every 4 hours, around the clock, for 7 days. After 5 days I was exhausted, but luckily his eye was recovered.

I wonder whether you need to use the drops more often?

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:54 pm

I certainly could use the drops more often - I have plenty. do you think this would help? I can also call the vet tomorrow morning and ask them, but all of the guinea pig specialists have gone home for the evening. Is there anything else I could do that you think might help?

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:10 am

Here is another good shot of Chava's eye as of just now when I put in her drops:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151 ... C05362.jpg

[added - Lynx]

Mum · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:22 am

Based on my own experience using the same drops on a tiny baby, I'd be inclined to try the every 4 hours until you can reach your vet tomorrow.

salana · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:43 am

About 15 or 30 minutes after the drops, I would apply a lubricating ointment like Genteal. I used that on Suzi's eye with good results.

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:50 am

A lubricating ointment, hm? What will this do? I have noticed that Chava's eyelids are tending to "stick" to her eye a little bit, and I have had to unstick them before applying the drops.

salana · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:26 am

It'll keep the eye wet and protect it, like putting chapstick on your lips. Ointments stay in the eye much longer than drops.

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:10 am

I will see what I can do about getting some of this ointment tomorrow. I assume they sell it at the drugstore? I also intend to call the veterinarian, just because I am really uncomfortable with how the eye is looking and no one on here seems to have ever seen something similar.

How the eye looks as of right now, 3am Pacific:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m151 ... CF1491.jpg

[added - Lynx]

Sweaterjunkie · Post » Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:26 am

Chava is still eating and drinking on her own. However, I have just noticed that some of her poops are a little malformed. The eye remains clear and crust-free, but it looks horribly uncomfortable. Also, she gets a little panicked when I am on the wrong side of her and she can't see me. I'm so worried for my sweet girl! :(