Eye problem and unwell, but don't think it's a bulb issue!

[beckyp]

Hi everyone,

I'm really very worried about my two year old boy Stumps, and am hoping that someone can offer some advice.

He's been absolutely fine and healthy up until 3-4 days ago, when all of a sudden he started to keep his eyes closed all day. He was walking around and bumping into things

He's been really sleepy for the last two days (not moving at all), and tonight I honestly thought he'd died - I sat watching him for a few minutes and couldn't see him breathe at all. When I picked him up he didn't move and felt really cold. I held him in the bath and even then he didn't move a muscle for about 5 minutes, then opened one eye. He did move a little bit after that, and did a MASSIVE poo in the bath.

His other eye will not open at all, and if I try to look in it all I can see is white. The skin has shed around the eye, and it looks swollen compared to the other one. I've searched on the forums, and most of the eye problems that have been posted seem to have been due to bulb issues. I use a Reptisun 10 fluorescent tube bulb, and his basking light is an Exo Terra 75 watt Sun Glo spot lamp. The tube is approx 8-9 inches away from him? The Reptisun does need changing - it's coming up for 8 months old now, and I'm just about to order a new one.

I'm going to call his vet tomorrow, but to be honest, he's so out of it that I'm worried he won't last that long. Does anyone have any suggestions for what might be wrong with him, and if there's anything I can do before then?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Sorry Stumps is not doing too well. The Reptisun 10 tube bulb is definitely not the culprit of the eye issues, especially with it being a little older. Do try to replace that when you can. The Sun Glo is fine for the basking light, as well.
What are the temperatures in the tank currently? Could he have a respiratory infection possibly? Sometimes those types of infections do affect their eyes & cause some swelling. Getting him to the vet is a good idea.
Other things that could be the culprit is renal or hepatic problems. That will cause an imbalance of water retention & pressure of the eyes. If you can financially manage it & you feel it could shed light on what is going on with him, a blood test would give a lot of information but if he is crashing, it needs to be done immediately & they need to get the results back ASAP to diagnose if possible.

For now, just keep an eye on him, & try to get some food into him, if at all possible or at least some oral fluids. Is his beard black?

Tracie