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Post by blossom1 on Dec 13, 2007 9:03:36 GMT
I went in to see the boys this morning and found Birch's eye like this. What can I do? The nearest petshop to me is Pets at Home, will I be able to get some drops from there? Im very worried. Thanks, Jules x  |
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 13, 2007 11:01:55 GMT
Get some brolene or chloramphenicol eye drops from the chemist and put that in 3 times a day it will soon clear up. Just ask the chemist for drops for mild conjunctivitis if they ask who it's for say it's for your daughter always works for me  Dawn |
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 14, 2007 9:15:51 GMT
Oh fab Dawn, thanks ever so much. His eye has completely glazed over white now (like he is blind) is this just a defence mechanism?
Jules x
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 14, 2007 9:34:26 GMT
Yes they have a third eyelid that comes over when the eye gets damaged or sore. Have you checked there is no hay stuck in there? I had a piggy nt long ago get a piece stuck right in and the eye went like Birch's. I managed to get it out and within a few days the eye was back to normal.
Dawn
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 14, 2007 10:47:44 GMT
I cant see anything stuck in there, I will have another good look tonight. I will get my OH to hold him while I look as he likes to wriggle! You advice and help is so valuable, thanks Dawn x
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 14, 2007 10:48:18 GMT
p.s. how did you get it out?
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 14, 2007 12:18:57 GMT
Well I got a piece of tissue and sort of made it into a thin sort of pointy thing by folding it up and then I teased the piece of hay to the surface of the eye and then pulled it the rest of the way with tweezers. Be careful near the eye though if he is wriggling not to poke the eye. I find wrapping them in a towel so that only their head is showing helps with wriggle bums |
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 14, 2007 13:16:13 GMT
Thanks again Dawn, I got some Brolene at lunchtime so hopefully that should do the trick! x
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 14, 2007 13:47:49 GMT
Oh good keep us updated wont you?
Dawn
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 14, 2007 16:09:36 GMT
I will, thanks again for all your help x
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Post by luvcats22 on Dec 14, 2007 19:29:05 GMT
hi, i work in a pharmacy and brolene is o.k for eye infections but if it doesnt start improving then definitely go for the chloramphenicol as that is much better, optrex do a version called optrex infected eyes and its about £4;50 and has to be kept in the fridge its excellent stuff good luck xx
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 14, 2007 21:33:31 GMT
Yes I agree optrex is a good one I have used that before too thanks Dawn |
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 17, 2007 9:05:14 GMT
Well, Birch's eye hasn't cleared up. A big white lump has now formed on it and the whites of his eye have turned red so I am taking him to the vet after work tonight. He is still fine in himself, eating, running around and chattering away, I just don't know what it is.
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 17, 2007 11:43:11 GMT
Oh dear I am sorry to hear this I hope the vet can find out what's wrong and give you some treatment for Birch. Good luck let us know how you went on wont you?
Dawn
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Post by gwen on Dec 17, 2007 18:53:23 GMT
Good luck with Birch. It could be something in his eye that is too deep to see. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him. Let us know how he is.
Gwen
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Post by guineapigjude on Dec 17, 2007 21:01:06 GMT
Get Birch to a vet as soon as possible. If there is damage to the eye, there is a very small window for treatment. Keep us posted.
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 18, 2007 9:06:07 GMT
Well the future doesnt look too bright for poor Birch. We took him to the vet last night and he has an ulcer in his eye. The vet said that there really wasnt too much he could do. He said he could remove the eye but it was a very tricky procedure as he would probably loose the other one as well, but he cant just leave the ulcerated one as it is. He has given us some drops to use 3 times a day and also gave him a painkilling injection. We have also got some oral painkillers to give him in the form of a liquid. We have to take him back tomorrow night for the vet to decide what to do, but I think he is going to suggest putting him to sleep. Oh I just dont know what to do. I dont want him to suffer, but if he has the op he could go completely blind too and then what quality of life would he have? He is still running around like a good 'un and eating all his food and licking our fingers which makes it so hard to know what to do as he is the same old Birch he has always been. We also face the possibility of his eye exploding which scared the hell out of us last night. Im just really confused...
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 18, 2007 9:52:51 GMT
He needs longer than one day see this post about when Beth damaged her eye is took months for it to get back to normal. www.cutiecavies.proboards61.com/index.cgi?board=eyes&action=display&thread=1191962145What drops did the vet give? I would definately not let the vet do an op just yet and why put him to sleep if he is otherwise healthy it doesn't make sense. If he is eating and playing normally try and leave it a bit longer the drops might do the trick Dawn |
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 18, 2007 10:23:14 GMT
His eye is very angry looking. The white of his eye is blood red, the pupil is black and very small and there is a white lump on it. It looks very nasty. I think the drops are those Chloramphenicol which you told me about. We love him so much and dont want to loose him. The vet scared us by saying his eye could explode too. He said it was like a big zit waiting to burst. He really is fine though. We give him his painkiller and then some food, and then do his drops and put him back to play with Joey and he is fine.
What do I say to the vet tomorrow then? that I just want to carry on with the drops and see how he goes?
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 18, 2007 10:55:31 GMT
Well it's up to you but that is what I would do. I think PTS is too drastic and surgery brings risk in itself. I would wait at least a week and then is there is no sign of any improvement then go from there but like I say the end decision is yours.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and whatever you decide I know it will be the right choice for you and Birch and that's all that matters.
Dawn
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 18, 2007 11:13:01 GMT
Im not prepared to have him PTS when he is such a healthy little chappy. The vet said he would be in pain, but he is showing no signs of it and has certainly not gone off his food etc. Im not saying the vet is wrong though. Im willing to carry on putting his drops in every day and also giving him his painkillers. Im just scared of the eye-bursting problem. I will keep you updated on his progress.
Thank you so much for you opinions and thoughtfulness, it really is truly appreciated. I would be lost without all of your help. xxx
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 18, 2007 12:54:17 GMT
Well I think is he was in pain he wouldn't eat, piggies tend to go off their food easily so as long s he carries on eating I think given time his eye mihgt have chance to heel. Keep us posted on his progress wont you?
Dawn
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 18, 2007 13:55:48 GMT
Well, I just popped home at lunchtime to give him his drops and it looked better. The big white lump has nearly gone which is great. Fingers crossed.
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Post by bloblover on Dec 18, 2007 14:45:06 GMT
Hi there..... I really am holding thumbs for poor Birch ! As a "human" nurse , I know that Chloramphenical drops are very good, but do take a few days to "kick in". I would also wait a few days to see how he goes on.... especially if he's not in distress in any other way... Let us know how he gets on....
Irene. xx
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 18, 2007 14:48:29 GMT
Oh that's just great news I am so pleased Lets hope he continues to recover. I can't tell you how pleased I am to hear this news of Birch blossom  Dawn |
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Post by gwen on Dec 18, 2007 15:16:42 GMT
Jules - I keep pug dogsd and they are very prone to eye problems as you can guess. I do have one little pug bitch who went blind about 2 years ago and she is a happy, well-adjusted little dog and the others all help her! I have had ulcerated eyes and I've never yet known one to burst. I know it is possible but it is an extreme situation. Believe me if he was in pain it would show. I also have had blind cavies and they compensate very well. Their eyesight is not as important as their sense of smell and all the while he is eating and running around I certainly wouldn't have him PTS. It's great news that the drops seem to have reduced the lump - we've all got our fingers crossed here for you.
Keep us informed please.
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 18, 2007 15:39:30 GMT
You guys are all so lovely, thanks for all your kind words and encouragment. Im going to do my utmost best to keep my little fella going and having talked to you all now, I dont understand how the vet said he would have to be PTS. Im quite upset at this. I will tell him tomorrow that I am going to fight for the little man and try and make him better. Even if he has to sit at my desk everyday! xx
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Post by blossom1 on Dec 19, 2007 9:40:11 GMT
Oh wow, Birch's eye looks 80% better this morning. You can now see the whites of his eye which is just amazing as they were red before. The big white lump has gone and he just has the white protective eyelid over his eye. Im so pleased with him, its amazing. I cant believe the vet would have put him to sleep there and then on Monday! Going back tonight and he will see how well Birch has done!
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Dec 19, 2007 11:11:52 GMT
Oh that's briliant news I am so glad. Vets what do they know Piggies have an amazing healing ability don't they? Dawn |
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Post by gwen on Dec 19, 2007 11:13:56 GMT
Oh I'm really pleased Jules! Vets are too keen to put cavies down - I think sometimes they aren't sufficiently knowledgeable about them, but through your perseverance you've saved Birch's life and he'll be doubly precious for that. Go back and show that vet what you've achieved. Lucky little Birch. Well done.
Gwen
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