Eye issue persistent

[Mama B]

Hello,

That is great he is eating & more active as well as basking too. I hope his eye is feeling better. A shedding
issue seems the best scenario instead of some clogged duct!
At least the boiled water seems to be working a little better than the sterile saline solution right now.

Tracie

Still waiting on the lab results. Exotic thought it was going to be back today but not yet. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It seems like it takes forever when you are waiting on test results! Hopefully they will be in soon.
Keep us posted!

Tracie

 

[Mama B]

Hello,

It seems like it takes forever when you are waiting on test results! Hopefully they will be in soon.
Keep us posted!

Tracie

Good news!
Update: if your reptile has an eye issue, please push for getting a simple corneal culture from ann exotic vet asap. After months of back-and-forth $$$ , exotic vet visits & referral to a specialty opthalmologist who swore there was no infection and it was most likely a tear duct issue, I finally pressed for a corneal culture when I had him back in two weeks ago. Kicking myself because this poor guy has been suffering since January and this should’ve been done back in the beginning. I spent so much and the poor guy has had conjunctivitis that was misdiagnosed. I have no idea how he got it my husbandry is immaculate. Regardless, even with perfect care things can happen.
Back in the beginning, they initially treated him with Ofloxacin which did nothing. Now I know why it did nothing because it was resistant to the bacteria that grew in the culture, Aerobic Actinomycetes. He had conjunctivitis I feel so awful that I did not push from the beginning for that corneal culture. We just needed an antibiotic that was not resistant. We immediately started him three days ago on a real oldie but goodie Gentamin (generic gentamicin sulfate) and the improvement is marked. The eye looks less irritated, no am mucous, discharge or crusting, his appetite has improved and his whole performance status/mentation has turned around 180. Sharing for information purposes.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is wonderful news to hear! It definitely helps to get an eye culture to see exactly what type of
bacteria is present. Gentamicin will target a different bacteria than the Ofloxacin will target. It's great
to hear he is already improving now!
I would say since his eye is looking better in appearance, & his appetite has improved he should be
well on his way to full recovery.

Tracie

 

[Mama B]

Hello,

That is wonderful news to hear! It definitely helps to get an eye culture to see exactly what type of
bacteria is present. Gentamicin will target a different bacteria than the Ofloxacin will target. It's great
to hear he is already improving now!
I would say since his eye is looking better in appearance, & his appetite has improved he should be
well on his way to full recovery.

Tracie

I hope so. I really do. Saying a prayer that this gets healed.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It sounds like it is targeting the issue much better now, thankfully. It is very challenging to find things
that work for them sometimes!

Tracie

 

[Mama B]

I always like to share here because maybe what I have learned can help someone else. I would definitely advise to anybody that has a bearded dragon with an ocular issue presenting similarly to get the culture done right away and rule out bacteria/fungal or determine what pathogen you are dealing with to target it quickly. Even broad spectrum antibiotics don’t cover every pathogen. Lesson learned here. Just because someone has a DVM and they are exotic vet they don’t always do what should be done or do it in the correct order.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Thank you, that is very important I agree. It is very difficult to find a good quality vet who is knowledgeable in reptile care.
We all are here to continue learning & provide a good
resource for people to come for help as well as education.

Tracie