Runny Eye

Question
Hi Andy,

I looked in the cage one of my guinea pigs, Butterscotch (a 2 1/2 yr. old male), about 10 minutes ago, and discovered that his right eye has sort of milky-colored tears under it. He does get "eye boogers" (tiny crusty white things in the corners) from time to time, and yesterday the "eye boogers" were a little gooier than usual, but this is more like little white pools of water under his eyes.

Is this serious? Does it require treatment? Does it have to do with his diet or something? (If this is helpful, I feed him hay, fruits & veggies and a little more dry food in his bowl twice a day.) I may be overreacting; just wondering if this is very out-of-the-ordinary.

Heidi

PS: I saw pictures of "Pea Eye" (I think it was called) in a guinea pig book, and this isn't quite the same. I'm pretty sure Pea Eye is inside the eye and a little gloppy, this is more running out the corner of the eye, and a lot more watery.

Answer
Hi Heidi

Actually, piggies produce white "tears" that they use to clean their purr on their face. It sounds like this is all that is happening here.

Let me know if anything else develops but otherwise I dont think it is anything to worry about.

Andy