Tegu's eyes

g-rex · New Member Joined: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 4

I recently noticed that my tegu's eyes don't appear to wide open when he opens his eyes. His substrate used to be cypress mulch and I think that maybe some particles got into his eyes. I took a wet q-tip and tried to wipe out anything that was in there but all I removed was just dust. His eyes seem to look the same. If there is some stuff caught in his eyes that I can't see, what's the best way to flush them out? I want to help him as much as I can before I take him to the vet. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

txrepgirl · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:39 am Post subject:

I don't know much about Tegus yet,but what I would try is use a dropper (you can get that at the pharmacy,2 for about &2,I just bought some).Don't get to close to his eye just in case he moves.You don't want him to get hurt by the dropper.Squeeze a drop or two of water in his eyes.It should flush every thing out that is in there.I wouldn't put any thing hard in his eye.You could scratch up his eye even more by what ever is in there.Hope it helps.Please keep us posted on how things are with your Tegu.Good luck.Oh,I have two Tegus my self but I'm still learning about some things,too.

greentriple · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:58 am Post subject:

For redundancy, I think Texrepgirl is right on. Be very careful not to touch the eye in any way, that last thing you need is to scratch it. If you cage is too dry and very dusty that could be causing the irritation if any.

dpjm · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:25 pm Post subject:

This might sound like a funny question, but what type and brand of UVB bulb are you using? I just read an article about some of the newer fluorescent bulbs that advertize high UVB output actually emitting energy in the UVC spectrum and causing a condition called photo-kerato-conjunctivitis. Early symptoms include severe eye soreness. If you tell me which bulb you are using, I'll check if it was on the list.

greentriple · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

How about posting what bulbs are said to cause this and a link to the article. It would be great to read it myself, thanks.

dpjm · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

Sure, here's a link to the article:
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

All the problem lamps are listed in the article. Good for everyone to read.

txrepgirl · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:45 am Post subject:

wow that is scary.I guess I better start writing the things down that I bye for my pets.So in cases like this I know if they are in harms way or not.Thank you so much dpjm for the list.G-rex is your baby doing any better yet ?

g-rex · New Member Joined: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 4

scrap went to the vet today. damn, it was expensive but worth it. he's got an infection in his eyes and hope to clear up soon. i have to medicate them 3 times a day. hopfully within a week he'll be ok. wish me and him luck.

greentriple · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Luck to the two of you. All will be well.

txrepgirl · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:54 am Post subject:

I will keep the two of you in my prayers.Don't worry things will be just fine.Just hang in there.Be prepared that your Tegu might not act the same way for a little while after he gets better.Because you have to hold him kind of tight when you have to give him his meds and he will not like that.I had to put butt medicine on my Tegu about just 2 or 3 weeks ago and had to give him meds by mouth and force feed him.But he turned out great.Just a little skittish at times and some times he acts like my good old Leonidas.

g-rex · New Member Joined: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 4

it's been about a month since i posted about my tegu's eyes. at one point, they seemed to be fine but he just can't opent them all the way. he definitely has some type of infection that needs a bit more of the eye drops that were given to me by the vet. it looks like i'll have to bring him back to get re-evaluted. anybody have a similar problem? i just hope he gets well soon.

txrepgirl · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:23 am Post subject:

Hi g-rex.Sorry to hear that your Tegus eyes are still having some problems.Did you check about that lighting thing that was mentioned in this post ? did you try to use a different mulch ? I was just thinking since he still has that problem and the eye drops didn't help much he might be allergic to some thing.Just a thought

.I wonder if the vet can run some tests to see if he has any allergies from some thing.Thanks for keeping us posted.Good luck and take care.

Cowher · Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

Try to keep up the humidity to keep the dust down. that will help some if that is what is causing it.
_________________
Arg. B+W Tegu 1.0.0

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