Upper Respiratory Infection--Bleeding eye

[Sadie]

There should be no clear plastic cover over the bulb as well --- your going to want to eventually upgrade the T 8 to a T 5 they are a stronger bulb for UVB but the T 8 will do for now - please change the T 8 bulb out in approx 6 months I recommend 5 -- w/ a tank of good size like a 75 or 120 gallon you want the 24" fixture Zoo Med w/ a Reptisun 22' 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb --- those are good fixtures and bulbs --

 

[LindaSees]

There should be no clear plastic cover over the bulb as well --- your going to want to eventually upgrade the T 8 to a T 5 they are a stronger bulb for UVB but the T 8 will do for now - please change the T 8 bulb out in approx 6 months I recommend 5 -- w/ a tank of good size like a 75 or 120 gallon you want the 24" fixture Zoo Med w/ a Reptisun 22' 10.0 T 5 or a Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb --- those are good fixtures and bulbs --

Yes. The bulb has nothing over it. The screen is open and directly shining into the tank with no obstruction.

Update on the eye and honey: Ugh. He ripped the eye again. I put some more unpasteurized honey diluted with the water on a gauze pad, gently went around the eye, and he twitched and then I blocked him from scratching it with his foot. But when I left, he rubbed it and it's bloody again.

I just don't know what to do. Anything near that eye just makes him freak out and scratch or rub. Even if I can stop him when I'm there, once I leave the room, he just attacks his eye.

 

[Sadie]

Yes. The bulb has nothing over it. The screen is open and directly shining into the tank with no obstruction.

Update on the eye and honey: Ugh. He ripped the eye again. I put some more unpasteurized honey diluted with the water on a gauze pad, gently went around the eye, and he twitched and then I blocked him from scratching it with his foot. But when I left, he rubbed it and it's bloody again.

I just don't know what to do. Anything near that eye just makes him freak out and scratch or rub. Even if I can stop him when I'm there, once I leave the room, he just attacks his eye.

Ok let me get some help-

 

[Sadie]

Ok let me get some help-

I am going to email your post to a vet tech -- she helps out on another board and is in Texas -- she is currently working on the adenovirus doing research lets see if she has any ideas or advice as how to proceed further -- I have another person who had responded earlier here is what she has said
Poor beardie, I know this is very difficult to see him do that to his eye. It needs a patch on it like I described, whether it's put on by the vet or the owner. Try to make one for him or have the vet do it. The alternative is to stop putting anything in it because he's just reacting naturally to the slight sting of the drops or the honey. The eye drops weren't bad, they just cause a sensation that makes him automatically scratch at it. The honey does as well.

 

[LindaSees]

I am going to email your post to a vet tech -- she helps out on another board and is in Texas -- she is currently working on the adenovirus doing research lets see if she has any ideas or advice as how to proceed further -- I have another person who had responded earlier here is what she has said
Poor beardie, I know this is very difficult to see him do that to his eye. It needs a patch on it like I described, whether it's put on by the vet or the owner. Try to make one for him or have the vet do it. The alternative is to stop putting anything in it because he's just reacting naturally to the slight sting of the drops or the honey. The eye drops weren't bad, they just cause a sensation that makes him automatically scratch at it. The honey does as well.

Just wanted to give an update after all your suggestions. And say thank you again for all the help.

It seems like the new UVB light is working well. Rumpsy (I realize I never used his name on here!) is doing great eating a lot, drinking a lot of water during his bath every 48 hours, and the eye is looking so much better! Basically, now there is just a big scab on the bottom portion, interior of the eye. I attached photos for you.

He was pooping some of the healthiest poops I've seen, but then I accidentally poured too much electrolytes powder into his bath. So I think that gave him a bit of diarrhea. And then his next bath after, he refused to drink, black bearded and wanted OUT. Other than that, he's acting normal. Eating a bit less after his diarrhea. But he's eating.

Anyway, I'm just keeping an eye on him still. He really seems to have done a complete turn around after being on death's door! Some moments of deep breaths on occasion, the scab on his left eye, and the new pooping issues are all that remain. I brought him to the emergency room over a month ago, so it seems like the injections are still settling in and killing whatever is left of the URI.

Let me know what you think of the eye now! It's great to finally SEE his eye.

 

[Sadie]

Just wanted to give an update after all your suggestions. And say thank you again for all the help.

It seems like the new UVB light is working well. Rumpsy (I realize I never used his name on here!) is doing great eating a lot, drinking a lot of water during his bath every 48 hours, and the eye is looking so much better! Basically, now there is just a big scab on the bottom portion, interior of the eye. I attached photos for you.

He was pooping some of the healthiest poops I've seen, but then I accidentally poured too much electrolytes powder into his bath. So I think that gave him a bit of diarrhea. And then his next bath after, he refused to drink, black bearded and wanted OUT. Other than that, he's acting normal. Eating a bit less after his diarrhea. But he's eating.

Anyway, I'm just keeping an eye on him still. He really seems to have done a complete turn around after being on death's door! Some moments of deep breaths on occasion, the scab on his left eye, and the new pooping issues are all that remain. I brought him to the emergency room over a month ago, so it seems like the injections are still settling in and killing whatever is left of the URI.

Let me know what you think of the eye now! It's great to finally SEE his eye.

Let me get some suggestions on the eye as far as treating it but yes it does look alot better-- please tell what you got for the uvb and what is your screen like on the tank -- a fine mesh like a screen door or a wide holed type? Distance and placement will be determined by your screen

 

[Sadie]

Let me get some suggestions on the eye as far as treating it but yes it does look alot better-- please tell what you got for the uvb and what is your screen like on the tank -- a fine mesh like a screen door or a wide holed type? Distance and placement will be determined by your screen

I got w/ the person I had emailed to and she has recommended this
You can wash the eye out with sterile saline solution daily. If you can get antibiotic eye ointment,
that can help also.
What was the eye drop given?

 

[LindaSees]

I got w/ the person I had emailed to and she has recommended this
You can wash the eye out with sterile saline solution daily. If you can get antibiotic eye ointment,
that can help also.
What was the eye drop given?

I'll send photos of the screen when I get home. As for the eyedrops, the ones he was prescribed are: Ofloxacin 0.3 % Ophthalmic Solution

 

[Sadie]

I'll send photos of the screen when I get home. As for the eyedrops, the ones he was prescribed are: Ofloxacin 0.3 % Ophthalmic Solution

Ok I hope she gets back w/ me --- I PM'd her

 

[Sadie]

Ok I hope she gets back w/ me --- I PM'd her

I heard back finally from the vet tech

How is the eye doing?
That particular solution sounds fine to me. How long does the vet suggest using that for?

I was wondering how the eye is doing as well ?

 

[LindaSees]

I heard back finally from the vet tech

How is the eye doing?
That particular solution sounds fine to me. How long does the vet suggest using that for?

I was wondering how the eye is doing as well ?

Hi!

The vet just said to use it for two weeks, but of course, I stopped once it made things worse. Anyway, his eye was healing nicely, so I thought. It was just a scab underneath (previous photo I posted) and it seemed like he was getting better every day. I'm still giving him a soak every 48 hours as the vet told me to do, but the last week or so he has been hating it. Not drinking. Trying to get out. ANYWAY, after yesterday's soak (no water got into his bad eye) he just was not happy. And then later that night.........

HE SCRATCHED HIS EYE AGAIN. Blood everywhere. I was so upset. It was healing.

This morning, I noticed his eyes are shedding. So I think with the shed coming, he felt very irritated and uncomfortable. That caused him to scratch. This is what his eye looks like right now. As you can see, his eye just started shedding today.

Again, I feel like I have to take him to a different vet, but as I said, I spent over 1000 dollars on vet bills at this point. I know that I have to do all I can, but things are hard. I will take him again if I must, but the eye seemed like it was healing nicely. This came outta nowhere again.

 

[Sadie]

Hi!

The vet just said to use it for two weeks, but of course, I stopped once it made things worse. Anyway, his eye was healing nicely, so I thought. It was just a scab underneath (previous photo I posted) and it seemed like he was getting better every day. I'm still giving him a soak every 48 hours as the vet told me to do, but the last week or so he has been hating it. Not drinking. Trying to get out. ANYWAY, after yesterday's soak (no water got into his bad eye) he just was not happy. And then later that night.........

HE SCRATCHED HIS EYE AGAIN. Blood everywhere. I was so upset. It was healing.

This morning, I noticed his eyes are shedding. So I think with the shed coming, he felt very irritated and uncomfortable. That caused him to scratch. This is what his eye looks like right now. As you can see, his eye just started shedding today.

Again, I feel like I have to take him to a different vet, but as I said, I spent over 1000 dollars on vet bills at this point. I know that I have to do all I can, but things are hard. I will take him again if I must, but the eye seemed like it was healing nicely. This came outta nowhere again.

Ok I am so sorry- I will see what the vet says -

 

[LindaSees]

Ok I am so sorry- I will see what the vet says -

I should also probably add that today he ate a lot! 2 dandelions and nearly half a pack of Hikari Bearded Dragon gel. So even though he is currently refusing to drink, he's eating super moist food. Poop also looks great. I really do think the shedding in his eye contributed to his discomfort. Let me know what your vet says!

 

[Sadie]

I should also probably add that today he ate a lot! 2 dandelions and nearly half a pack of Hikari Bearded Dragon gel. So even though he is currently refusing to drink, he's eating super moist food. Poop also looks great. I really do think the shedding in his eye contributed to his discomfort. Let me know what your vet says!

I will

 

[Sadie]

I will

Update on the dragon please

 

[LindaSees]

Update on the dragon please

Well, it got bad to the point where I was going to make an appointment with a new vet. Because he is currently shedding, he was going all over the enclosure literally rubbing his face and eye all over the floor, his basking log/tunnel. OOF. I caught him literally rubbing his whole eye, dragging himself around on the floor! There was blood all over the enclosure and he had blood on his head and legs. I gave it a day or so and gave him another soak. Still refuses to drink. However, he has consistently been eating his dragon gel and dandelions every single day. So I'm not worried about dehydration as of now.

THIS MORNING, however, I woke up and Rumpsy hopped right up onto his log to bask! First time he hasn't been sad or uncomfortable. AND HIS EYE! HIS EYE LOOKS SO GOOD. It was like an overnight miracle! Check it out. Obviously not 100 percent, but this last week it was just swollen shut and bloodied.

I guess my only thing is, he has had constant black beard since his Upper Respiratory Infection began over a month ago. So I know he's still not 100 percent better. Anyway, that's the update.

 

[Sadie]

Well, it got bad to the point where I was going to make an appointment with a new vet. Because he is currently shedding, he was going all over the enclosure literally rubbing his face and eye all over the floor, his basking log/tunnel. OOF. I caught him literally rubbing his whole eye, dragging himself around on the floor! There was blood all over the enclosure and he had blood on his head and legs. I gave it a day or so and gave him another soak. Still refuses to drink. However, he has consistently been eating his dragon gel and dandelions every single day. So I'm not worried about dehydration as of now.

THIS MORNING, however, I woke up and Rumpsy hopped right up onto his log to bask! First time he hasn't been sad or uncomfortable. AND HIS EYE! HIS EYE LOOKS SO GOOD. It was like an overnight miracle! Check it out. Obviously not 100 percent, but this last week it was just swollen shut and bloodied.

I guess my only thing is, he has had constant black beard since his Upper Respiratory Infection began over a month ago. So I know he's still not 100 percent better. Anyway, that's the update.

Ok mist him in the tank if the shed is dry and crackly then take a soft baby toothbrush and gently brush the loose shed it will come off-- try rinsing his eye w/ some regular saline no contact lens stuff- his eye will eventually heal when the shedding stops- try this website for a reptile vet www.arav.org
If your in a small area type in a bigger cities zip code closest to you- I have emailed the tech vet again

 

[Sadie]

Ok mist him in the tank if the shed is dry and crackly then take a soft baby toothbrush and gently brush the loose shed it will come off-- try rinsing his eye w/ some regular saline no contact lens stuff- his eye will eventually heal when the shedding stops- try this website for a reptile vet www.arav.org
If your in a small area type in a bigger cities zip code closest to you- I have emailed the tech vet again

I have heard back and I answered her question about how he did it - and this is what she has recommended

What did the dragon scratch his eye on, a rock?
I would use some sterile saline solution daily &
some terramycin on it also to help with possible
infection, too.

 

[LindaSees]

I really think he's getting better! Once he shed around his eye, he stopped scratching and it started healing. I think it's looking really good. I did put some diluted honey as suggested previously. This is just one week since he scratched it like crazy. (Left eye is the bad one. Good one included for comparison) ALSO: He had a raspberry treat with his dandelion. That's not blood on him.

After being sick for what seems like forever, I do think he's on the mend. Keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't scratch that eye again.

 

[Sadie]

I really think he's getting better! Once he shed around his eye, he stopped scratching and it started healing. I think it's looking really good. I did put some diluted honey as suggested previously. This is just one week since he scratched it like crazy. (Left eye is the bad one. Good one included for comparison) ALSO: He had a raspberry treat with his dandelion. That's not blood on him.

After being sick for what seems like forever, I do think he's on the mend. Keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't scratch that eye again.

Good I am glad to hear that--- the whole issue was caused by the UVB bulb --including the RI he had as well -- those coils are no good and cause so many issues w/ dragons and can lead to death -- as far as I am concerned vets and people that sell the dragons should be aware and up to date on this stuff -- it is unfortunate that most people are not aware of the coils being used are killing their dragon--- some dragons can go for years not showing signs of the coil effects - most can catch it in time because they will cause eye issues - quit eating -or they will start w/ the twitching which is a sign of MBD which is not good - there are many signs of MBD --