Tyaeda
Established Member
Mr.Pink was having eye trouble yesterday : https://www.chameleonforums.com/veiled-sudden-eye-problem-115984/
Last night I went to the pharmacy to find saline. The pharmacist and I could not find a pure saline solution for eyes / contacts. They had ph balanced formulas, and they all seemed to have extra chemicals in the ingredient list. We did find one for wounds with the only ingredients being Water and 0.9% sodium chloride (saline). I rinsed the outside of his eye with it, using a liquid medicine syringe. He wouldn't sit long enough, or keep his eye open long enough to get any inside.
We just got back from the vet, and he seems to be doing better. The vet said that there are no signs of infection, and believes that Mr. Pink is having a hard time shedding. He wiped his problem eye with a cotton swab to rub the loose shed from it. Mr.Pink responded well by opening his eye for the first time this morning. On the way home he only closed it occasionally.
I'm hesitant to listen to some of the advice he gave though. I told him about the gutloading we do (Carrots, Oranges, Strawberries, Romain, Collard Greens, Oats, Kelp, Sesame Seeds, Basil, and Garlic Powder) and he said that the crickets (and thus Mr.Pink) were not getting anything from it, and that we should switch to a commercial gutload. He said all that we're doing is pleasing the crickets.
He mentioned that crickets do not gutload well at all, and that mealworms are much better for him. This contradicts a lot of what is common knowledge on these forums. I want the best possible gutload for him, and so I'm going to try and feed him and his crickets the most nutritious fresh food as I can. If there is a supplement or commercial gutload that I can add to my current menu, I will, but I've heard nothing but good things about fresh diets here to get rid of them completely. Unfortunately, I live in Canada, making roaches inaccessible, otherwise I'd be getting some right now. (I'd glady rid my house of the constant chirping )
He also prescribed some drops for his problem eye. It's called Ciloxan .3%.
(Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride) Ophthalmic Solution, Antibacterial Agent. There is no infection, but he told me to try and get 3 drops a day in there, to prevent a possible infection, or to treat anything that may have started (before symptoms show up). I haven't been able to get any in there yet, but I thought I'd talk to you guys about it before I start traumatizing Mr.Pink... again. He also instructed us to stop using the saline, saying that if it's not for eyes, don't use it. And that the stuff with all the extra chemicals (because it's for eyes) is probably the best bet. I thought the ingredients were the most important aspect, but I don't have enough eyeball washing experience to argue.
Other than that, he tells me to up his humidity, which is something we're definitely doing. It can sometimes get low in there (around 20-30 % ambient) and usually only climbs to 40-60 during mistings. We'll probably resort to a cool mist humidifier, or a fogger, whichever Mr.Pink is the most ok with.
I'm anxious to see how he's like after the shed is complete. Some symptoms are what I see when he sheds normally (minus the closed eye) so it's hard to see if his behavior is shed related or not. I'm wondering if I should do what the vet did, and occasionally, and lightly rub some of the really loose skin off for him? It might keep him from grabbing at it with his feet.
Thanks everyone for the advice yesterday! It really calmed my nerves! I'll let you all know how he's doing after his shed, which should be done by the end of the day
Last night I went to the pharmacy to find saline. The pharmacist and I could not find a pure saline solution for eyes / contacts. They had ph balanced formulas, and they all seemed to have extra chemicals in the ingredient list. We did find one for wounds with the only ingredients being Water and 0.9% sodium chloride (saline). I rinsed the outside of his eye with it, using a liquid medicine syringe. He wouldn't sit long enough, or keep his eye open long enough to get any inside.
We just got back from the vet, and he seems to be doing better. The vet said that there are no signs of infection, and believes that Mr. Pink is having a hard time shedding. He wiped his problem eye with a cotton swab to rub the loose shed from it. Mr.Pink responded well by opening his eye for the first time this morning. On the way home he only closed it occasionally.
I'm hesitant to listen to some of the advice he gave though. I told him about the gutloading we do (Carrots, Oranges, Strawberries, Romain, Collard Greens, Oats, Kelp, Sesame Seeds, Basil, and Garlic Powder) and he said that the crickets (and thus Mr.Pink) were not getting anything from it, and that we should switch to a commercial gutload. He said all that we're doing is pleasing the crickets.
He mentioned that crickets do not gutload well at all, and that mealworms are much better for him. This contradicts a lot of what is common knowledge on these forums. I want the best possible gutload for him, and so I'm going to try and feed him and his crickets the most nutritious fresh food as I can. If there is a supplement or commercial gutload that I can add to my current menu, I will, but I've heard nothing but good things about fresh diets here to get rid of them completely. Unfortunately, I live in Canada, making roaches inaccessible, otherwise I'd be getting some right now. (I'd glady rid my house of the constant chirping )
He also prescribed some drops for his problem eye. It's called Ciloxan .3%.
(Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride) Ophthalmic Solution, Antibacterial Agent. There is no infection, but he told me to try and get 3 drops a day in there, to prevent a possible infection, or to treat anything that may have started (before symptoms show up). I haven't been able to get any in there yet, but I thought I'd talk to you guys about it before I start traumatizing Mr.Pink... again. He also instructed us to stop using the saline, saying that if it's not for eyes, don't use it. And that the stuff with all the extra chemicals (because it's for eyes) is probably the best bet. I thought the ingredients were the most important aspect, but I don't have enough eyeball washing experience to argue.
Other than that, he tells me to up his humidity, which is something we're definitely doing. It can sometimes get low in there (around 20-30 % ambient) and usually only climbs to 40-60 during mistings. We'll probably resort to a cool mist humidifier, or a fogger, whichever Mr.Pink is the most ok with.
I'm anxious to see how he's like after the shed is complete. Some symptoms are what I see when he sheds normally (minus the closed eye) so it's hard to see if his behavior is shed related or not. I'm wondering if I should do what the vet did, and occasionally, and lightly rub some of the really loose skin off for him? It might keep him from grabbing at it with his feet.
Thanks everyone for the advice yesterday! It really calmed my nerves! I'll let you all know how he's doing after his shed, which should be done by the end of the day