UVB questions

[SycoSquirl]

Hi I have the 24" tropic blaze t5 lighting system with a 6% arcadia bulb, its on from around 7:30 am -7:30 pm everyday.

I was wondering how often should I be replacing this light and are there any other brands of UVB that you would suggest that work with my lighting system?
I want to get a different brand, because im worried the arcadia possibly caused an eye issue in my cham, and figured it was probably a good idea to change it out, and see if that helps in any way besides the vet.

Thank you so much in advance everyone for any and all information =D

 

[NHenn]

Arcadia bulbs will last a good 12 months if not longer. The Zoo Med 5.0 bulbs will also work in the fixtures but not sure if they last as long.

As for the eye issue, I'm sure it isn't caused by the bulb. I use and have been using the 6% bulbs and the 12% which are twice as strong for years. Something else is causing the issue.

What exactly is the problem with his eye?

 

[SycoSquirl]

Arcadia bulbs will last a good 12 months if not longer. The Zoo Med 5.0 bulbs will also work in the fixtures but not sure if they last as long.

As for the eye issue, I'm sure it isn't caused by the bulb. I use and have been using the 6% bulbs and the 12% which are twice as strong for years. Something else is causing the issue.

What exactly is the problem with his eye?

the vets think its an eye infection, they cut into it already once and pulled out a hard thing that was in there but it hasnt gotten better, my breeder mentioned that other owners had eye issues who had arcadias and had suggested I switch, i just want to cover every base I can to try and get his eye better. I'm switching to a different vet soon since my chameleon was borded with my vet right now for over a month and he still hasnt improved so I just want any slight idea of what could have caused it to be fixed.

These were taken on Thursday at his last vet visit (8-13-15)

 

[NHenn]

Ouch, I don't know what could be going on in his eye. I would be very surprised if it had anything to do with lighting as these lamps are nothing compared to natural sunlight.

Has your vet ran any tests to see if it is indeed an infection?

 

[Carlton]

the vets think its an eye infection, they cut into it already once and pulled out a hard thing that was in there but it hasnt gotten better, my breeder mentioned that other owners had eye issues who had arcadias and had suggested I switch, i just want to cover every base I can to try and get his eye better. I'm switching to a different vet soon since my chameleon was borded with my vet right now for over a month and he still hasnt improved so I just want any slight idea of what could have caused it to be fixed.

These were taken on Thursday at his last vet visit (8-13-15)
View attachment 110982 View attachment 110983

I have read here that some of these swollen eye issues were actually caused by sinus infections, not eye infections. If the eye was only treated with an optical antibiotic it may not have much effect on that. If it was lighting (really doubt that) he would probably be keeping both eyes shut or avoiding the light.

 

[SycoSquirl]

I believe they did tests and i've been giving him oral antibiotics. He was on one type of antibiotics for over a month, and we just switched to another one since the older one wasnt helping him improve =/ I just want him to get better and be healthy again =(

 

[Venutus1]

I believe they did tests and i've been giving him oral antibiotics. He was on one type of antibiotics for over a month, and we just switched to another one since the older one wasnt helping him improve =/ I just want him to get better and be healthy again =(

One thing here I wanted to know--
does this animal have a basking spot where they can get hot enough to fight off an infection?

This is important:
I would "up" the wattage in the basking bulb in a dome light or basking light to the next level...
say...
if it is a 60w bulb- go to a 75w bulb. Make sure the basking area can get to 90 - 92 degrees.

And make sure they are not getting "drafted" in the room they are in..... by fans or any a/c unit.

Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Todd

 

[SycoSquirl]

One thing here I wanted to know--
does this animal have a basking spot where they can get hot enough to fight off an infection?

This is important:
I would "up" the wattage in the basking bulb in a dome light or basking light to the next level...
say...
if it is a 60w bulb- go to a 75w bulb. Make sure the basking area can get to 90 - 92 degrees.

And make sure they are not getting "drafted" in the room they are in..... by fans or any a/c unit.

Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Todd

I don't use my AC or Fan unless his cage gets to 93 degrees at his basking branch so all my temperatures are good, and my water resivore has a 10 gallon fish tank heater in it to make sure the water isn't freezing when it rains in the cage

 

[JoeVet]

These are often due to vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is needed for the lacrimal glands to form tears and it is needed to maintain tear ducts. The epithelial metaplasia of the glands and ducts can lead to infection. The bilateral nature suggests a metabolic disorder like vitamin A deficiency. It could be due to a too dry environment but that is less likely. It is not likely the lights.

 

[kinyonga]

What specific supplements do you use and how often for each?

Is it only one eye that's affected?

In the past, some lights have caused photo-kerato-conjunctivitis due to the phosphors used in them. It was supposed to have been corrected....but it seems now that it might be continuing for a different reason...
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor-info.htm
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor-discussion.htm

Hope you figure it out.

 

[Venutus1]

I don't use my AC or Fan unless his cage gets to 93 degrees at his basking branch so all my temperatures are good, and my water resivore has a 10 gallon fish tank heater in it to make sure the water isn't freezing when it rains in the cage

OK, that sounds warm enough.
Just checkin'

 

[SycoSquirl]

What specific supplements do you use and how often for each?

Is it only one eye that's affected?

In the past, some lights have caused photo-kerato-conjunctivitis due to the phosphors used in them. It was supposed to have been corrected....but it seems now that it might be continuing for a different reason...
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor-info.htm
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor-discussion.htm

Hope you figure it out.

I use herptivite, calcium with d3 and calcium without d3, ive tried to have him on a strict schedule but he only eats when he feels like eating and not one second before and has gone days without eating any of the food in his cage so his dosing could definetely be off, but at the vet they said they got him eating fairly well so not too sure the difference besides he was in a smaller cage at the vet then here at home..

OK, that sounds warm enough.
Just checkin'

Thanks for doing so, its always nice to rule something out!