BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Over the last few days My bluey's eye's, one in particular have looked crusty with the skin around them flakey. One of the eyes sometimes appears to have a skin or film over it. Often the next morning it'll be gone and she'll be right as rain again. But she keeps rubbing the side of her face a lot. Any idea what could be wrong?

Pictures are helpful, and it sounds as if a vet might be even more helpful. Any time there's any type of discharge happening with an animal, it's time for an expert. A situation with the coming-and-going of symptoms is even more a reason to go; a lot of people will look at the "bright side" of coming and goings with sickness and end up with a sudden life-or-death scenario and feel pretty awful when the cards were played wrong.

KW

ditto

Sounds like 1 of them forein bodie,s .. I say it sounds like a foriner has stuck in for the ride , prolly just dust . I know what ya mean i get real big things in my eye ...Like Dr,s with torches scratching there heads ..
W.T.H

Goodluck after antibiotics the eye ball sinks back on baytril and the eye lids become swollen. And were using out of date cream , but yere does the eye ball gell apear to move ? And looks abnormal , just out of interest . or is this diferent ?

Yeah, eye problems are nothing to mess with; particularly if it's crusting.

probably conjunctivis.

try wiping gently with a cotton ball soaked in a very dilute, tepid salt water solution.

..and a vet visit if it continues.

Whatever it is is affecting both eyes. She's been on a course of antibiotics, the guy from the local reptile centre wrote out the requirements and the vet made them out accordingly. It was a five day course and initially it seemed to help. But now its back. She's been scratching the side of her face on her logs. The skin around her eyes is flaky and there is frothyiness in her eyes this morning. I'm going to have to take her back to the vet.
I wish I could show a photo but my digi camera is on the blink.

Yep. conjunctivitis.

It's amazing what a difference heat makes though, she hadn't been out for a couple of days so I took her out of her favourite resting place and put her under the basking lamp. We went out for a walk {Looking for lizards as it happens, didn't see any} when we got back she's almost back to normal. Interested in what's going on and wanting the top of her head stroked. She's always been very sociable. I think I might have to crank up the heat a bit at night for her I wonder if it's something along those lines. I notice that her favourite sleeping area is quite cold.

Dead sea-surfer, have you disinfected the cage whilst under treatment, could of got re- infection if scratching in the same place.

Good point, no I'm afraid I didn't. Will do so now though.

Geoff Gates wrote:Yep. conjunctivitis.

Does heat or cold play a part?

I thought conjunctivitus affected the eye itself rather than the surround? It's her lids and the scale around it that are affected.

Zach wrote:

Geoff Gates wrote:Yep. conjunctivitis.

Does heat or cold play a part?

Zach,

Not that I'm aware of.

Usually it is debris causing an irritation.

Deadsea,

In humans it affects the eyelids too, often they are stuck together after sleeping..... That's why i suggested the diluted saltwater eye bath.

Hopefully it would flush the eye if that was the issue. Otherwise your bluey might needs some oitment or other meds.

Just to let you all know, and particular thanks to Geoff, that McGrew is back to normal again. We got some eye drops for conjunctivitus and they've done the trick!
Many thanks

Deadsea,

My pleasure! Good to know all is well again.

Just out of interest what ointment did you use?

deadsea_surfer wrote:I thought conjunctivitus affected the eye itself rather than the surround? It's her lids and the scale around it that are affected.

Conjunctivitis is one of those catch all phrases that people use to mean "inflammation of the eye". Officially it is inflammation of the conjunctiva membrane. There are many causes. Foreign bodies, allergies, irritation and viral. (The infamous "pink eye" in humans.) Antibiotic eye drops are usually prescribed, but do NOT use older versions that contain steroids. They have been recalled.

As a general rule, eyes should be flushed with dilute salt water as Geoff said and a close inspection made to determine the cause. Be sure to check for mites or skin irritations around the eye which might be the reason an animal swipes its head and damages the eye itself.

Heat and cold don't play any part in the cause, but additional heat can help boost the healing process just by making the animal more comfortable and upping the metabolic temps.

Warm tea bag compresses can also help reduce eye inflammation and simple irritations.

It sounds like he is well on his way to recovery already. Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the tank and objects inside as Leigh mentioned.

Great!

Thanks all.

Geoff it was genticin. We have a very good Reptile Shop in a nearby town who will discuss problems with our local vets when necessary. They recommended it.