Rudis eye issues??

[Kat H]

I have a baby rudis chameleon about 4-5 months old and he just started having eye problems. His right eye stays closed when i take him out to feed and then just today he started using my finer to rub his eye on and then used his leg to scratch it. Included are some pictures of his left eye which looks normal and then his closed right eye. What could be causing this?

 

[junglefries]

The usual culprit is too much UVB emitted from a bulb. A 10.0 or a 12% on a small cage or inadequate foliage. I would first test my bulb and then follow up with lab work (vitamin deficiency) if bulb isn't the culprit.

 

[Kat H]

okay ill try that first I'm not sure what kind of uvb bulb i have on there now it says UVB200 26w. Should i also try to flush the eye out with saline solutions?

 

[Kat H]

Should i be looking for a uvb 5.0 for a small cage? Not too sure what i should be looking for

 

[junglefries]

Should i be looking for a uvb 5.0 for a small cage? Not too sure what i should be looking for

16"X16"x20" - 18"x18"x36" cage should have a Reptisun 5.0 or Arcadia 6% linear UVB bulb.
24"x24"x48" cage can use either the 5.0 or 10.0 depending on the foliage and chameleon type and sex.

 

[junglefries]

okay ill try that first I'm not sure what kind of uvb bulb i have on there now it says UVB200 26w. Should i also try to flush the eye out with saline solutions?

If you have the experience, it is possible. If not, I wouldn't recommend. I would let a vet do it.

 

[JoeVet]

It wouldn't hurt to flush his eye with normal saline eye drops. Don't use Visine or anything designed "to get the red out". There is no test for vitamin A deficiency and a diagnosis is based on reaction to treatment. I would follow Junglefies advice about the lights first. If no improvement then a one time dose of a supplement containing preformed vitamin A. If you are already using a supplement with preformed vitamin A then that is not likely the cause.

 

[Kat H]

I ordered a new reptibreeze cage and also a 5.0 uvb bulb so hopefully that works. Do you think purchasing a humidifier is necessary if i mist often?

 

[CarlC]

This species is prone to eye issues because they very seldom are misted for long enough or the humidity is kept to low. This is a high altitude species that is always in a humid enviorment. Daytime humidity should stay above 50% and at night it needs to rise as high as you can get it.

Along with the higher humidity a proper drop in temperature at night is required. A drop of 20+ degree's is essential.

Being a livebearer is an adaptation to the harsh conditions they live under.

Carl

 

[Kat H]

I spray about every three hours give in take if I feel that it doesn't seem wet or humid enough. During the day the highest his basking temp gets to is about 85 degrees F no higher and at night it drops to about 68 to 66 degrees F. Once the new cage comes in I will look into getting a proper humidifier. Is there one in particular you would recommend?

 

[ponders]

Did you turn off the bulb you are using? Usually, if it is the bulb and they haven't been exposed too long, they will improve quickly.

 

[Kat H]

I lifted the bulb about four inches higher than it originally was and I also shortened the amount of time to about 10 hours instead of twelve that it is on. I ordered a 5.0 bulb and it should arrive early next week. When I took him out to eat today he wasn't rubbing his eye and it stayed open the majority of the time.

 

[ponders]

That's great news!

 

[Kat H]

I'm trying to be as diligent as possible because at the wildlife sanctuary that I work at received 12 of these newborn Rudis chameleons and unfortunately the others did not make it. This is the last guy left and he's surpassed his siblings by almost a month so I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that he gets the attention he deserves.