Milo keeps getting Scratched Ulcers!

[Milo10]

Some how she keeps getting a scratch on her ulcer! This is her second time now with it. I went into my room lastnight and her left eye was sealed shut with puss. I did warm compresses on it and got it open and put some Neomycin ointment in it. I'm wondering how she keeps doing this! The shavings are all out of her cage. She hasn't had them in there since she got the critter nation. Could her nails do this? I just cut them lastnight just in case. Anyones help would be great!

 

[mishellyshel]

i have never once cut my chins nails. my guinea pig requires trimming but not the chins.
is she on antibiotic? maybe its infected?

 

[Milo10]

Its not infected.. Took her to the vets already and its another scratched ulcer He said to keep her nails short just incase she is scratching her eye with her nails. Hes not putting her on a antibiotic because its not really needed with a ulcer on the eye. He said to use the same stuff we used last time 3 times a day.

 

[caiti]

Well, pus usually indicates infection. She might be fine on her own, but maybe whenever the scratch is healing it is itching her and then she reopens it. I don't have any experience with a situation like yours but the only thing I can think of is maybe put a collar on her until the scratch heals. Might be worth it to ask your vet about.

 

[Milo10]

I will talk to the vet about that! Thats a good idea!

 

[Riven]

If it's possibly I would try to get a second opinion. As Caiti said, puss is ALWAYS a sign of an infection because it is discharge of dead cells used to fight infections or tissue damage. Anytime is there is tissue damage there is a chance for infection. It is possible to have discharge without infection, but usually it's easy to tell the difference.

It is very possible for her to be scratching it with her nails. Trimming them actually makes them sharper unless you took and rounded them down carefully with an emery board, because naturally the edges wear smoother, cutting them makes the edges sharp and more... edgier. I understand this is what the vet recommended, and I took this into consideration when I suggested a second opinion unless this is the only vet available that has any exotics experience.

 

[Milo10]

Actually I'm thinking about changing my vet for milo! We have a new vet thats 10 mins away from my house. Hes been dealing with exotics for 30 years! So I will talk to him about it But for now I have the ointment! Thanks!

 

[Chinmama]

As my vet explained to me when ZZ scratched his cornea years ago, corneal scratches can heal or they can become chronic.

The ointment was impossible for me to get into his eye, and terribly greasy, so I opted for drops. He went in for repeat stains once a month until it had healed completely. His took around 8 months to heal and hasn't happened again.

 

[Milo10]

I don't know if I would want to do the drops. The ointment is easy to get into milos eye. Its not greasy for me. Idk! I'll talk to a different vet tomorrow!

 

[cremellomare]

You may want to see about going to a specialist that just does eyes, there is an excellent one near lansing that does all species as far as I know, depending on what the other vet thinks.

 

[Milo10]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I will let you know what I find out!