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Guinea Pigs/Guinea pig has milky eye and crust

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Expert: Nicole Bury - 10/23/2009


Question
Help me!!!  I have two guinea pigs, just over a year old. One of them has A SINGLE milky eye, and some crust around the same eye. Otherwise, they both seem fine, eating and playing just normal.

Answer

Eye milk
Hello Janna,
I have a definition of the milky eye and the crusty eye here for you:
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

What it most likely sound like is an injury, from a fight or a fall or just a piece of Hay in the eye. I suggest A warm cloth with a little bit of salt or polysporin eye drops (safe for pigs).
The link to the site I got this from is: http://www.guinealynx.info/eyes.html

Nicole Bury

Expertise

I can answer every question anyone has! I am always willing to hit the books for other owners! I and my husband between me have 6 guinea pigs and one expecting, that we intend to keep 2 of. I can help with idle questions, everyday problems to serious health problems but I always suggest seeing a vet!

Experience

I have had 14 guinea pigs in my life with more to come. I have volunteered at the local shelter just to work with the small animals on a weekly basis and I have been to countless vets to soak up there advice, as well as looking in my 50 something books on guinea pigs. I know almost everything I can wrap my head around about guinea pigs! Sometimes my husband, who is an exotic bird vet/guinea pig fanatic helps me with the questions to!

Organizations
None. Unfortunately ;)

Education/Credentials
I have taken community courses for pet care, including small animals, but I have not been to school formal education (I am not a vet). Currently I am in the process of becoming a published author and I have my degree in creative writing. Someday I will have my masters. I teach local classes for advanced creative writing and literature for teens.

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