Eye stuck closed--- Help!
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:18 am
My rescued Northern has some chronic eye issues which are likely due to allergies. He does best in a dust free environment and seems to only be comfortable with a tank of blankets. Even loose "dust free" bedding doesn't work. If he is exposed to dust/loose bedding etc, his eyes immediately start to seal shut. Either because of these allergies or because it is difficult to keep a blanket tank humid (and not moldy), he often has shed that forms over his eyes. About twice a month, his eyes become sealed shut and he needs to have the loose scales carefully and gently massaged off his eye area. If I don't remove them, his eyes remain shut. Once opened, his eyes are completely fine. I have taken him to the vet before who saw no signs of infection. No discharge, irritation or other things of concern... I don't really understand why his eye area sheds more than the rest of him.... The vet at Cornell didn't really have an explanation for that either.
Last week...well, almost two weeks ago now, when I did the regular routine to get his eyes open, I removed the shed from both eyes but still couldn't get one eye to open. The lids seem to be stuck together. Per my vet, I have been applying warm compresses and massaging the area with antibiotic eye ointment daily with very little improvement. I have an appointment for him to go in for 2 appointments, 1 exotics and 1 opthalmology at Cornell on Monday, which is the soonest they can have both exams, which is the most effective way to do it (the exotics doctors don't deal with significant eye issues and the opthalmologists don't usually deal with reptiles). It is likely that he will need to be sedated for treatment, which carries additional risks.
I am making additional efforts to increase the moisture in his tank and have started soaking him twice daily in addition to the compresses & antibiotic ointment....Does anyone else have additional suggestions, experience or advice? He is great otherwise; eating, drinking, basking and seems to be compensating with his good eye to get around. I wish they could see him sooner, but it seems like they really can't. If he goes in as an emergency they can hospitalize him but would likely just give him the supportive care that I am already giving, until they can get an opthalmologist to look at him on Monday.
Last week...well, almost two weeks ago now, when I did the regular routine to get his eyes open, I removed the shed from both eyes but still couldn't get one eye to open. The lids seem to be stuck together. Per my vet, I have been applying warm compresses and massaging the area with antibiotic eye ointment daily with very little improvement. I have an appointment for him to go in for 2 appointments, 1 exotics and 1 opthalmology at Cornell on Monday, which is the soonest they can have both exams, which is the most effective way to do it (the exotics doctors don't deal with significant eye issues and the opthalmologists don't usually deal with reptiles). It is likely that he will need to be sedated for treatment, which carries additional risks.
I am making additional efforts to increase the moisture in his tank and have started soaking him twice daily in addition to the compresses & antibiotic ointment....Does anyone else have additional suggestions, experience or advice? He is great otherwise; eating, drinking, basking and seems to be compensating with his good eye to get around. I wish they could see him sooner, but it seems like they really can't. If he goes in as an emergency they can hospitalize him but would likely just give him the supportive care that I am already giving, until they can get an opthalmologist to look at him on Monday.
