Post by Dawn - Admin on Oct 26, 2005 18:23:06 GMT
Normal eyes are clear and bright. They protrude slightly and are of the same size. Guinea pigs normally keep their eyes open all the time, even when sleeping. A very few may sleep with their eyes fully closed. While cavy vision is relatively poor, a cavy can distinguish colors.
Eye Color
Guinea pig eyes come in a variety of colors. Breeders identify these colors as dark, dark with a ruby cast, and pink. Dark eyes can be further described as brown, black, or blue. Healthy eyes reflect red in a strong light. This is especially noticeable in ruby pigs, whose dark looking eyes have a pronounced red cast to them, especially noticeable when photographed with a flash. The cavies in the top row have pink and ruby eyes respectively.
Eye Discharge
Normal Cavies excrete a milky white liquid which lubricates their eyes and is used to help them clean their faces. After the eye fills up with the white fluid, the cavy will then take their front paws and make washing motions. This may happen several times per day although you may never even notice. VC Richardson describes a "milky ocular discharge" as "a normal fluid which is released from the eye as part of the grooming process."
Abnormal These signs warrant an examination by an experienced veterinarian.
Signs:
Crusty eyes
Watery eyes
Cloudy eyes
Receding eyes
Protruding eyes
Ulcerated eyes
What these signs may mean:
Upper Respiratory Infection
Injury
Abscess
Tooth Problem
Dehydration/Illness
Cataracts
Diabetes
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
Crusty eyes can be a sign of an upper respiratory tract infection. A cavy with a respiratory infection may also have a snotty nose, be lethargic, and may not be eating. Respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics. Read the Dangerous Medications list before you see a vet.
IF A RESPIRATORY INFECTION IS SUSPECTED, SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY.
Injury
A single watery or cloudy eye may be the result of an injury. Abrasions, cuts, or punctures of the eye can result from accident, hay pokes, or fighting. Examine the eye closely, especially around the rims. Sometimes a bit of hay will work itself up behind the eye and if it's partially visible can be pulled out by tweezers. If the eye shows signs of abrasion or clouds over in any way, or looks red in the white area, or seems to be swollen or sinking or squinting - get your cavy to an experienced veterinarian.
TREAT EYE INJURIES PROMPTLY TO PREVENT EYE LOSS.
Other
Protruding eyes can indicate an abscess, elongated roots, or other problem. An x-ray can often help diagnose these conditions. Conjunctivitis, foreign items stuck behind the eye, dry eye, ulcers, and tumors can be the cause of a swollen eye. Often eye infections or damage will result in a general cloudiness of the entire eye. Watery eyes may be the result of a plugged tear duct.
What the vet will do:
A vet will check the eye for signs of damage or disease. He/she may flush the eye and stain it to look for abrasions or ulceration and then prescribe eye drops like Chloralean or Gentocin. If the eye seems dry, the vet may perform a tear test or send a sample of the fluid to the lab for analysis. Medications like Chloralean can clear up ulcers very quickly. Application of a sterile ophthalmic triple antibiotic eye ointment 2 or 3 times daily may help reduce redness.
Veterinary ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat difficult eye problems.
DON'T DELAY SEEKING VETERINARY TREATMENT.
EYE PROBLEMS CAN RESULT IN PERMANENT DAMAGE OR EYE LOSS IF NOT TREATED.
guinealynx.info
Eye Color
Guinea pig eyes come in a variety of colors. Breeders identify these colors as dark, dark with a ruby cast, and pink. Dark eyes can be further described as brown, black, or blue. Healthy eyes reflect red in a strong light. This is especially noticeable in ruby pigs, whose dark looking eyes have a pronounced red cast to them, especially noticeable when photographed with a flash. The cavies in the top row have pink and ruby eyes respectively.
Eye Discharge
Normal Cavies excrete a milky white liquid which lubricates their eyes and is used to help them clean their faces. After the eye fills up with the white fluid, the cavy will then take their front paws and make washing motions. This may happen several times per day although you may never even notice. VC Richardson describes a "milky ocular discharge" as "a normal fluid which is released from the eye as part of the grooming process."
Abnormal These signs warrant an examination by an experienced veterinarian.
Signs:
Crusty eyes
Watery eyes
Cloudy eyes
Receding eyes
Protruding eyes
Ulcerated eyes
What these signs may mean:
Upper Respiratory Infection
Injury
Abscess
Tooth Problem
Dehydration/Illness
Cataracts
Diabetes
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
Crusty eyes can be a sign of an upper respiratory tract infection. A cavy with a respiratory infection may also have a snotty nose, be lethargic, and may not be eating. Respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics. Read the Dangerous Medications list before you see a vet.
IF A RESPIRATORY INFECTION IS SUSPECTED, SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY.
Injury
A single watery or cloudy eye may be the result of an injury. Abrasions, cuts, or punctures of the eye can result from accident, hay pokes, or fighting. Examine the eye closely, especially around the rims. Sometimes a bit of hay will work itself up behind the eye and if it's partially visible can be pulled out by tweezers. If the eye shows signs of abrasion or clouds over in any way, or looks red in the white area, or seems to be swollen or sinking or squinting - get your cavy to an experienced veterinarian.
TREAT EYE INJURIES PROMPTLY TO PREVENT EYE LOSS.
Other
Protruding eyes can indicate an abscess, elongated roots, or other problem. An x-ray can often help diagnose these conditions. Conjunctivitis, foreign items stuck behind the eye, dry eye, ulcers, and tumors can be the cause of a swollen eye. Often eye infections or damage will result in a general cloudiness of the entire eye. Watery eyes may be the result of a plugged tear duct.
What the vet will do:
A vet will check the eye for signs of damage or disease. He/she may flush the eye and stain it to look for abrasions or ulceration and then prescribe eye drops like Chloralean or Gentocin. If the eye seems dry, the vet may perform a tear test or send a sample of the fluid to the lab for analysis. Medications like Chloralean can clear up ulcers very quickly. Application of a sterile ophthalmic triple antibiotic eye ointment 2 or 3 times daily may help reduce redness.
Veterinary ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat difficult eye problems.
DON'T DELAY SEEKING VETERINARY TREATMENT.
EYE PROBLEMS CAN RESULT IN PERMANENT DAMAGE OR EYE LOSS IF NOT TREATED.
guinealynx.info
