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My guinea pig has hay in its eye and it's red. What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Unknown - Small Animal | Male | unneutered | 1.9 lbs

My Guinea pig has a small piece of hay in his eye. Its been there since Friday aug. 17 around noon. Eye is a bit red. Tried flushing the eye. Hay piece is Still on his eye what should i do?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 18th, 2018

You should take him to the vet, they will manage to take it out without damaging the eye, if you have not been train to do it you are likely to either fail or harm the eye which will end up in a condition even more severe.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 16th, 2017
This would be very unlikely and you would see an injury or bleeding. However there is always a possibility of a guinea pig getting a retrobulbar abscess , ie an abscess behind the eyeball. This would likely be caused by an infected cheek tooth (molar). If you suspect an abscess or swelling behind your guinea pigs's eye, you will need to take him to a veterinarian for an exam.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on April 14th, 2017
Hay could eventually scratch the surface of the eye ball causing a superficial ulcer, but it is rather rare to penetrate the eyeball completely. In both cases a check up is needed to assess eye function and integrity and give you appropriate treatment. Antibiotics may be needed and the hay, if still there, could be removed under local anesthetic.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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