piggies eyes

Question
is it common for the eye to fill with white runny liquid if it is can i do anything to help my pig

Answer
Hi Nicola,

Your piggy might have a cold. Have you noticed him/her sneezing at all? If so, then runny eyes and a runny nose will be part of it. Whilst unpleasant, guinea pig colds are the same as human colds and are nothing to worry about. You should always wash your hands before/after touching your piggy or its food when you have a cold, or it will catch it from you. Treat your piggy the same as a human with a cold; lots of cuddles, extra hay at night to keep warm, and lots of vitamin c (prevelant in carrots, brocolli, and dark green cabbage). If you don't notice any improvement within 3-4 days, take your piggy to a specialist small animal or exotic pet vet as the cold may have developed into an infection and your piggy will need antibiotics.

If you don't think your piggy has a cold, it could be an allergy. Is your piggy's breathing laboured? This will usually only be the case if its a new piggy or you've recently changed the brand of bedding or hay you use. If so, try switching back to the stuff you used to use, and keep a close eye on your piggy.

If you don't think it's a cold or an allergy - it's better to be safe than sorry so book an appointment for your piggy at a vet. If your piggy stops eating, drinking, pooing or weeing, then you'll need to rush him/her to see a vet. It's worth taking the time to find a good one; specialist small animal/exotic pet (guinea pigs fall under both categories) are experienced with piggies and will me much more likely to diagnose and treat yours effectively. They often also charge lower fees.

Hope this helps and good luck.
If you have any other questions; just ask!

Jenny.