QLD Guinea Pig Refuge
Connect!
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Open Days
    • Instagram
    • 2021 Calendar Order
    • Newsletter >
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • Gallery
    • Companies that Support Us
    • Meet the Team >
      • Jodie
      • Rachel
      • Beth
      • Tabitha
      • Nicola
      • Tamara
      • Annett
      • Andrea
      • Kate
      • Grace
      • Ainsley
      • Amy
      • Bruce
  • Boarding
  • Adopt
    • Adoption Application Form
    • Guinea Pigs for Adoption
  • Surrender
    • Guinea Pig Surrender Form
  • How to Help
    • Foster Carer Application
    • Volunteer Application
    • Sponsor
  • Sponsor
    • Sponsor a Cage
    • Sponsor Medical >
      • Sponsor Noah and Comet
      • Sponsor Licorice & Hendricks
      • Sponsor Fuego
      • Sponsor Toby & Mitch
      • Sponsor Eddie
      • Sponsor Mia & Maisie
      • Sponsor Blizzard & Stormi
      • Sponsor Meghan and Alfie
      • Sponsor Peanut Butter
      • Sponsor Donut and Pretzel
      • Sponsor Deacon and Sasha
    • Sponsor Desexing
  • Care Guide
    • Diet >
      • Food Facts
    • Housing
    • Health Tips
    • Grooming
    • Companionship
    • Recommended Vets
    • Medical Database >
      • Fungal
      • Mites
      • Bumblefoot
      • Urinary Tract Infections
      • Ovarian Cysts
      • Dental Issues
      • Upper Respiratory Infections
      • Bladder Stones
      • Hay Poke
      • Cysts and Abscesses
      • Cheilitis
      • Heat Stroke
      • Bloat
      • Scurvy
  • Contact Us

How to identify and treat hay poke in guinea pigs

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
What is a hay poke?
Hay poke is an injury to the eye which could be an abrasion, cut, ulcer or puncture.

How does it occur?
Hay either comes into direct contact with the eye or becomes lodged. Lodged hay may work its way into the eye lids or behind the eye causing further damage.

How can you identify it?
Hay pokes generally cause a cloudy, blind-looking eye. In more severe cases you may notice an ulcer or protruding red flesh from the corner of the eye. Your guinea pig may also struggle to open their eye or hold it closed entirely. Its important you gently pull back the eyelids to check for a piece of hay in the eyelids. This piece could be less than a mm thick so it's important to check closely.

How do you treat it?
Once any remaining hay is removed, the hay poke can be treated with Murine eye drops or by using Colloidal Silver liquid as eye drops 2-3 times a day. We have found colloidal silver to work best. If the eye doesn't appear to begin healing after a few days, it's time to get a prescription eye drop or cream.

When should you see a vet?
Immediately if there is any blood or protruding flesh in the original hay poke, or if your guinea pig isn't responding to at home drops after three days.

Back to Medical Database
QGPR thanks
Albany Creek Veterinary Surgery
for their ongoing support. 

http://www.albanycreekvet.com.au
Picture


Contact   Adopt   Surrender​


© Copyright 2013. Qld Guinea Pig Refuge. All Rights Reserved.
ABN 301 664 918 09