BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

After all the responses I got to recent thread "Its the Law" I called my pet store and inquired about any reports of problems with Zilla T5 Desert Series florescents and found the answer to be yes. Apparently because the bulb is small it has it's own built in reflector. Some reptiles have experienced something akin to snow blindness. After hearing that I left work at noon and headed home to yank that bulb and then off to the pet store to rig up a replacement. I had actually called Zilla when I saw Hijinx's post in the summer about burned eyes and enquired about the bulb I had. Two tech support guys told me it was the correct choice for my set up and pet.

I have e-mailed the manufacturer and you guessed it ... now they say the bulb is probably too strong. They suggest I get one from T-Red or Zoo Med. Hmmm. Sounds like they have had some enlightenment of late.

I was debating on whether I should even say anything because I've missed some posts last month...glad I did!

This is so upsetting to hear. Poor Tattoo! Ping was very badly affected by that ReptiSun compact fluorescent. It took him only a day to develop the snow blindness, and by day 3, when I removed the bulb, his eyelids had sustained enough damage that they stiffened to the point where he could not completely shut his eyes. He still has scar tissue on one eye.

It's hard to get people to believe that something that seems so neutral, A LIGHT BULB, can do this damage. All I can say is:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_ ... ssage/5225
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/reptisuncompacts.htm
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9190

Here is a post relevant to your bulb:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/UVB_ ... ssage/5209

ZooMed knows they messed up. They gave me a refund, given the "circumstance." It is worth trying to get your money back from Zilla too. They don't deserve to have it.

It can be difficult to watch and wait since they heal through sheds. What I did during the healing process was remove dusty substrate and instead use shredded paper towels. I was worried he would get dust into his eyes, since he couldn't effectively close them. I was afraid to interfere by wetting his eyes on my own, but I let him self medicate so to speak by always providing a humid hide. He would go in there and rub his eyes on the condensation on the sides. This helped him to at least be able to blink. I washed and disinfected the humid hide each morning and evening and replaced the wet paper towels inside. The vets I spoke with said that a little saline solution would have been fine, though. When he began rubbing his eyes raw, I removed everything rough from the enclosure (log, fake plants, bricks).

I am sure it has been annoying that I keep mentioning the UV thing, since I'm no expert or anything, but, I mean, come on, word really needs to get out about this. THIS can't keep happening:



Then again, everybody knows what hot rocks can do, and THEY are still on the market.

Now I'm worried. I have a Zoo Med Repti Basking Spot Lamp. 50W

Thanks guys. I will keep everyone posted as to the changes I see in Tattoo. It's hard to believe that even after doing months of research before bringing my skink home something could go so wrong. The guilt sure has been a bitter pill.

mom22wins wrote:Now I'm worried. I have a Zoo Med Repti Basking Spot Lamp. 50W

Don't worry about that, the culprits here are compact UVB bulbs.

The bulb I had was not compact. It was 36 inch florescent tube. It was however a florescent bulb.

Oh. Hmm...

Well, at least we still don't have to worry about incandescents.

Well, at least we still don't have to worry about incandescents.

Well, that's a relief.

Tatoo, I'm glad you thought of this before it was too late though. Good catch.

Diane