eye issue?

[OUchem]

Hi, I just got a female jackson chameleon today and she seems to be having issues with her right eye. It is usually squinting or completely closed. I also have seen her rubbing the eye on a branch like she was trying to get something out. What do you think I should do? I read something about a guy that put saline solution on a q tip and rubbing it on the eye and that worked for him. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks

EDIT: day two and still not opening it, i've tried using the saline solution a couple times and no help so far

 

[okiroo]

Hi, I just got a female jackson chameleon today and she seems to be having issues with her right eye. It is usually squinting or completely closed. I also have seen her rubbing the eye on a branch like she was trying to get something out. What do you think I should do? I read something about a guy that put saline solution on a q tip and rubbing it on the eye and that worked for him. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks

mist more often to give more chances of washing it out. welcome to the forums!! if you want sa more in depth responce copy and paste the how to ask for help from the health section on the forums. we can also critique(nicely) your care in order to prevent any illness

 

[OUchem]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Jackson, female, 4 months
Handling - Not often, when necessary
Feeding - crickets, feed them with some orange blocks the pet shop gave me
Supplements - flukers orange cubes
Watering - I've misted once so far, and i've got a cup dripping water in
Fecal Description - haven't seen any yet
History - don't really know anything


Cage Info:

Cage Type - screen 24" x 18" x 24"
Lighting - i have a heat lamp and UVB light
Temperature - not really sure what the temp is, i've got the heat lamp about 10" above the basking spot
Humidity - not good about 20 I think i need to mist more
Plants - no live plants yet but I'm planning on getting some
Placement - probably about 2 ft above the ground
Location - ohio

 

[suzi]

You can flush the eye with saline (the kind that doesn't have any moisturizers or anything else in it) with a eye dropper or I have even squeezed it right out of the bottle. Sometimes the closing of one eye is caused by vitamin A deficiency.

 

[suzi]

It could be a humidity issue, after now seeing your form.

Edit: I forgot to mention you should look up sandrachameleon, she has great blogs on gut loading your insects. I would also use the search engine for proper Jackson care. I don't personally have experience with Jacksons. Good luck and I hope it get resolved

 

[OUchem]

I'm not sure if the hygrometer even works, I just misted and it didn't even budge..

 

[suzi]

I would get yourself a digital one that reads temp and humidity. They have them in the garden center at home depot and lowes for like $10

 

[OUchem]

any suggestions anyone?

 

[ataraxia]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Jackson, female, 4 months
Handling - Not often, when necessary
Feeding - crickets, feed them with some orange blocks the pet shop gave meGut loading needs to improve. Check out sandrachameleons blogs or ferretsinmyshoes for some great gut loading tips.
Supplements - flukers orange cubes Pick up some plain calcium without d3 for every feeding.
Watering - I've misted once so far, and i've got a cup dripping water inShe needs misted 3 times a day for 2-5 minutes each session.
Fecal Description - haven't seen any yetHow long have you had your chameleon?
History - don't really know anything


Cage Info:

Cage Type - screen 24" x 18" x 24"
Lighting - i have a heat lamp and UVB lightWhat brand and types?
Temperature - not really sure what the temp is, i've got the heat lamp about 10" above the basking spotThis is a very important aspect in chameleon care. keep her at 76-78*. Buy some digital gauges to monitor.
Humidity - not good about 20 I think i need to mist moreThis needs to be much higher. You will need to go buy a ultrasonic cool mist humidifier or fogger.
Plants - no live plants yet but I'm planning on getting some
Placement - probably about 2 ft above the ground
Location - ohio

im sure your chameleon is lacking hydration, humidity and temps out of whack..

 

[OUchem]

im sure your chameleon is lacking hydration, humidity and temps out of whack..

I've had my chameleon for 2 days now, the uvb is a exo terra repti glow- 13 watt 5 uvb, and the heat lamp is 75 watt exo terra.

But you think this eye problem is from the humidity? I'm going to buy a humidifier tomorrow. I have misted twice already today and I also have had a dripper set up for some water.

The thermometer is saying it's about 72.7 down at the very bottom of the cage but it's alot warmer up top by where the light is.

I just feel like it has something in it's eye because it keeps scratching it on vines like it's trying to get something out

 

[ataraxia]

Your bulb is also a coil bulb. They have been linked to eye issues including infection. I would start buy replacing that bulb as soon as possible, misting more and adding a humidifier also.

where the light is...the basking spot should be around 76-78*

 

[OUchem]

The UVB one? What would you suggest i use?

 

[ataraxia]

fluorescent type. reptisun or reptiglo 5.0

humidity is best at around 60-80 percent on one side of the cage. Do you have a humidity gauge?

edit: also it makes it easier for others and for you to keep all the same issues under one thread. otherwise others will ask the same questions again as well as you answering them.

 

[OUchem]

yeah the uvb one is repti glow 5.0 made by exo terra

 

[JackP308]

yeah the uvb one is repti glow 5.0 made by exo terra

that light is fine, both exo terra model 5.0 are ok to use.

 

[thephotoprincess]

Hi, I just got a female jackson chameleon today and she seems to be having issues with her right eye. It is usually squinting or completely closed. I also have seen her rubbing the eye on a branch like she was trying to get something out. What do you think I should do? I read something about a guy that put saline solution on a q tip and rubbing it on the eye and that worked for him. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks

EDIT: day two and still not opening it, i've tried using the saline solution a couple times and no help so far

Strangely enough, I just got a young male veiled with the same issue. I'm giving him daily showers and vitamins. Also run a humidifier. I've seen limited improvement in the 5 days I've had him. It seems better right after showering and misting.

I don't have any answers for you as I haven't really figured it out yet either.

 

[Elizadolots]

Hi!

I wouldn't use a q-tip to rub anything on his eye.

He likely does have something sticking somewhere. I would suggest upping the length of misting. Keep it dripping in the cage for at least 2 minutes, preferably 3.

 

[UrbanChameleon]

No one else has mentioned this.. so I thought I'd throw it out there. Could it be your tap water? Depending on where you live it can be really harsh and full of harmful materials.

If both of your Cham's are having eye issues, it must be something they are both exposed to. Either from your house, or the place you bought them from. It could be multiple things, so I'm not saying this is going to fix it. But try using Distilled or RO water to mist. Of course, it might be the lights or something else. You did mention it happens worse after misting, so that could be the cause. We won't know until you can rule a few things out though. You're going to need to change a couple of things and look for improvements. I'm sure the more experienced Chameleon owners can help you on this one. Just wanted to throw in my two cents. Good luck to you and your Chameleons.

 

[Elizadolots]

Natalie, that's a good idea.

It's an inexpensive thing to try and it can't possibly hurt. Kudos!

 

[thephotoprincess]

No one else has mentioned this.. so I thought I'd throw it out there. Could it be your tap water? Depending on where you live it can be really harsh and full of harmful materials.

If both of your Cham's are having eye issues, it must be something they are both exposed to. Either from your house, or the place you bought them from. It could be multiple things, so I'm not saying this is going to fix it. But try using Distilled or RO water to mist. Of course, it might be the lights or something else. You did mention it happens worse after misting, so that could be the cause. We won't know until you can rule a few things out though. You're going to need to change a couple of things and look for improvements. I'm sure the more experienced Chameleon owners can help you on this one. Just wanted to throw in my two cents. Good luck to you and your Chameleons.

Since we both got the chameleons this way it's not anything we are doing ... it's something we are trying to undo - and mine is better after showers/misting, not worse. Mine has changed hands about 3 times in the last month before he ended up with me so I don't know who did what and when it happened.

I also have 14 adult chameleons and a bunch of babies using the same water and lights with never any problems.

My best guess for my guy is an injury/something in the eye caused irritation. I think it is just a matter of time for it to heal and if there is not increased improvement it might need a vet visit.