HELP - tiny baby veiled rescue

[CLP]

I was at the dreaded pet store yesterday, and they had 2 very young female veileds - I would guess about 5 weeks old. One of them was very thin, but both had both eyes completely shut. I couldn't leave them there! The assistant manager admitted they were in over their heads. He said they were not expecting them to be so young, and so didn't have appropriate sized feeders. They got some in, but by then the girls had already shut their eyes. I'm pretty sure the bulb in the tank was a 10.0 UVB too (it was VERY bright).

Anyhow, I got them to drop the price on both, and took them home knowing they are in a lot of trouble, but they were doomed if I left them there. So, this is where I'm at the point of asking for help. I've put them in a smaller exo-terra tank for now. There are some branches and a pothos, but not too much "stuff" as I'm trying to keep the setup simple. The branches are close to the floor as one of them insist on walking around, but since she can't see, she's fallen a few times. The humidity averages about 50%, average temp is mid 70's, and about 82 right under the light. I just have a regular bulb there for now, no UV as I was concerned part of the problem with their eyes may be because the bulb at the pet store was too strong. Paper towel on the floor.

This morning when I misted them they started opening their mouths like they were smacking their lips, so I managed to drop in a little bit of bug juice (I made it with some crickets, butterworms and silkworms blended wth water and multi vit powder). Last night and several times today I dropped some saline onto their eyes. I also put some Polysporin eye drops in (I read somewhere on here that they seemed to work well). They're squeezed tight so I don't know if I got any in or not. Tonight I managed to get some more bug juice into the bigger girl, but none into the smaller (skinnier) one. They both opened one or both eyes about half way for a few minutes this afternoon, but then closed them again. I have also seen one of them rubbing her eyes on the branches several times.

I realize I need to get their eyes to open, and I'm doing everything I can think of and have read on this forum. Does anyone have ANY other suggestions??? I really want these girls to make it, but I'm afraid they don't have a lot of time left

 

[nightanole]

Odds are they are vitamin deficient even while in the egg if mom wasnt housed properly. Im guessing its a vit A deficiency, however you can OD them easily at that age with a direct supplement. I would get some human beta-carotene gel capsules. The lizard will convert that to vit A as needed.

I dont think it has anything to do with the light, and you should really never have a baby with out a UV light (hey they double in size each month). That reptisun is fine unless the cham was constantly within 6" of the bulb and couldnt ecape, and the bulb was brand new (how many times do you think a pet shop changes a $20 bulb?). Get them a reptisun or reptiglo that you are comfortable with, and put them in a 18" tall tank with some big leaf plant like a potho (they dont even need sticks a that age). Then the little guys can dicide to go all the way up to 4-6" away from the bulb, or all the way at the bottom under a leaf with no exposure what so ever. Your cham will regulate its own UV just like it will regulate its own heat, if you setup the tank properly.

Im also assuming your doing the normal supplement and gut loading plan. PS they love flys at that age. You can gut load the flies with bee pollen and a few other things.

 

[CLP]

I appreciate the response and agree it may very well be a vit A deficiency. I understand that the UV bulb is crucial to their health, but to be on the safe side, I am going to leave it out for a few days. I assume a few days without will not cause long term issues. The bulb in the enclosure they were in was VERY bright as I said and because of the way those tanks were built, I expect they couldn't get more than about 6-8 inches away. The bulb hung down into the enclosure (it was screwed into a fixture built into the top of the enclosure) which was only about 12" x 12" x 18" long, so it was very close to them all the time.

Although I understand the choosing where in the enclosure to be and how close to the light issue, they can't see, so really can't find their way around. I put them in under the warmer spot in the tank, but the fumble around and usually end up back on the floor.

Thank you for your input - I would appreciate more ideas/feedback too. Anybody?

 

[Kate]

Thank you for rescuing them. You have a good heart. I think you are doing gteat so far conidering that you dont know their history. Would they be safe to put on a plant in the shower? Have warm water bouncing off the wall lightly splashing them. This hopefully will hydrate them and the steamy air may help them to open their eyes. I would continue with what you are doing until they are strong enough for a vet visit.

 

[laurie]

You could try touching a very small cricket to their mouths to see if they will eat. It is a long shot but it could work.other than that just keep them super hydrated, the shower it really good. Also getting the bug juice in will help. Best of luck.

 

[nightanole]

I havent found a sick lizard yet that doesnt like peach baby food in a dropper. Might help just for some calories and hydration.

 

[CLP]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions! I love this forum for that! The store gave me a 15 day guarantee so I can get my money back if they don't make it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I know the odds are probably against them, but I have to try! If I can save them both, my plan is to nurse them back to health and eventually keep one and sell the other. I had always planned on getting a female, but not this soon Of course, if they both make it, I know I'm going to be so attached to them I'll have trouble giving one up. Might need a bigger house

I will try the baby food too. I tried rubbing a small cricket on their nose, but is just startled them and they ran away . I have "showered" them using a spray bottle filled with warm water while sitting them on my hand. I'm worried about the chlorine in the tap water as there is quite a lot where I live. I used bottled water for the spray bottle. That got a drinking response from the skinnier one this morning so I got some bug juice into her.

What are your thoughts on temps? I know the young ones should be kept cooler, but would a slight increase in temps be recommended given their condition? I'm especially concerned with night time. Being in Canada, it's getting pretty cold in the house at night, so I'm wondering if I should get a small ceramic heat bulb to keep it from cooling off so much. Right now, it's dropping to about 65 at night. Any thoughts?

 

[nightanole]

You can raise the evening temps to upper 70's if you want. Day time i wouldnt let them hit 85 since the little guys cant regulate yet. Just keep them hydrated and make sure the tank dries out inbetween mistings.