Lethargic Baby Bluetongue
Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:44 am
I’m new. If you decide to judge me, please keep in mind that I want only what’s best for this adorable little baby.
My neighbour found a baby bluetongue (approx 4 weeks old) cold and completely unresponsive in a local park. He brought her home and warmed her up. He decided not to take her to the RSPCA as she has an eye injury (one of her eyeballs is a dark colour) and they almost always euthanise ’difficult’ small animal cases. We took turns syringe feeding her and, after 24 hours, she was much improved. When in the sun, she basks and then crawls around quite fast. We try to limit this, though, to allow her to conserve her energy. When in her heated enclosure, she is listless and does not feed. She much prefers fruit and at the moment we feel that that is okay. Happy to have someone give suggestions on how to incorporate more protein. Egg yolk (ours is safe) is something she does enjoy syringed into her mouth and every now and then she will accept a gel premix. Her toileting is near perfect although the solids are on the smaller side (and a little soft on account of the fruit).
We are happy to take her to a vet but first wanted to know if anyone thinks we’ve missed anything obvious? And can bluetongues have eye drops/ointments used on them (like chlorsig)?
Thank you
My neighbour found a baby bluetongue (approx 4 weeks old) cold and completely unresponsive in a local park. He brought her home and warmed her up. He decided not to take her to the RSPCA as she has an eye injury (one of her eyeballs is a dark colour) and they almost always euthanise ’difficult’ small animal cases. We took turns syringe feeding her and, after 24 hours, she was much improved. When in the sun, she basks and then crawls around quite fast. We try to limit this, though, to allow her to conserve her energy. When in her heated enclosure, she is listless and does not feed. She much prefers fruit and at the moment we feel that that is okay. Happy to have someone give suggestions on how to incorporate more protein. Egg yolk (ours is safe) is something she does enjoy syringed into her mouth and every now and then she will accept a gel premix. Her toileting is near perfect although the solids are on the smaller side (and a little soft on account of the fruit).
We are happy to take her to a vet but first wanted to know if anyone thinks we’ve missed anything obvious? And can bluetongues have eye drops/ointments used on them (like chlorsig)?
Thank you