Ceramic heat instead of Lightbulb

[Vegun]

My Veiled is continuing to have an irritated eye ( squinting, closed at times, rubs it against the screen etc) so in thinking that the over head incandescent bulb MAY play a part in this, I switched over to a ceramic heating element.

I keep it on 24/7 as the cage is next to a window and it gets a bit too cold at night with out it. Still use a UVB bulb obviously.

I notice he does not bask as much and he sleeps in a bit longer in the AM..

Should I be concerned about this?

 

[camimom]

First stop leaving it on 24/7.
they need darkness to sleep.

they can handle temps down into the 50's at night.

second- they need a basking bulb to be able to know where to go for heatm they cant really absorb warmth through the air like people can.

third- it sounds like she may have an eye infection. in which case, she needs to see a vet.

 

[Solid Snake]

Its not the incandescent thats causing the issue.

The incandescent replicates the sun in an indoor setup.

This is very important, for them to be able to see, and acknowledge where heat is coming from. They associate the bright light with heat.

Id say if there is leakage from the eye, then yes you need to see a vet about infection.

 

[sandrachameleon]

My Veiled is continuing to have an irritated eye ( squinting, closed at times, rubs it against the screen etc) so in thinking that the over head incandescent bulb MAY play a part in this, I switched over to a ceramic heating element.

I keep it on 24/7 as the cage is next to a window and it gets a bit too cold at night with out it. Still use a UVB bulb obviously.

I notice he does not bask as much and he sleeps in a bit longer in the AM..

Should I be concerned about this?

A regular incandescent bulb for basking will not damage his eyes.

You should return to using a LIGHT for his basking needs as this is what they are used to (basking in a beam of sunlight). A ceramic heat emmitter may help to warm the cage, if extra heat is required (unlikely, if you are living in the same house), but it is not much good for basking. They want a drop in temp at night. But if it is too cold where he currently is, you might just be better off moving the cage away from a drafty window, and/or heating the room to the minimum temp at night.

You might like to start a thread in the health section, providing answers to the "how to ask for help" sticky questionaire, so that we can help you determine the reason for the eye issue.
Sometimes they rub them because there is something in the eye, too low humidity, infection, ....

 

[Vegun]

Its not the incandescent thats causing the issue.

The incandescent replicates the sun in an indoor setup.

This is very important, for them to be able to see, and acknowledge where heat is coming from. They associate the bright light with heat.

Id say if there is leakage from the eye, then yes you need to see a vet about infection.

no leakage at all, I'ts staying open much more now but the skin is wrinkled more than normal and he is rolling it around a bit as well as the rubbing.

Thanks for the light bulb info.

 

[Vegun]

The humidity, seeing how I live on the coast, is spot on as well.


Like I said in my other thread, he is eating well and is plenty plump.

 

[Vegun]

just got back from the Vet.

Under magnification the Doc sees remains of his last shed around both eyes

Advised to continue with the eye wetting drops and gentle wiping with a Q tip.


and hopefully his next shed (due soon) will help clear the issue

 

[lausnordah]

Thank you for taking the cham to the vet. I know it's your animal, your choice, the vet costs money, and admitting there might be a problem with your cham is hard; I have seen way too many threads where so much damage could have been prevented if people just did what you did.

On behalf of chameleons everywhere, thank you.

 

[Vegun]

thank you for the comment.

yep, the vet trip cost more than I paid for Bink but what are you going to do.

Good news is his eye is much better now and the whole process has gained him some trust with humans. He can tell we are trying to help him. He actually enjoyed having us lubricate and give a gentle massage with a Qtip.