eye

[NondoMateo]

so i just got my first bready a couple day ago, he keeps his eye shut all of time so i took him back to were i purchased him and they flushed his eye out it was open for a little while after, but now he still is keeping it closed. he will scratch it on the ground so it obvisouly bothers him! does any one have suggestions on what to do?

Another thing i was wonding is it normal for him to chill with his mouth open alot?

Thank
vinny

 

[haleygirl272]

Is he shedding?

What kind of UVB do you use?

 

[nikkicostello89]

And do you know what UVB the place you brought him from was using? As it could have been their UVB that has hurt his eye.

Also what are you using as a substrate?

Nikki

 

[NondoMateo]

he has a 7 percent uvb slim line reptile fixture! not sure what kind of bulb they used i will call and ask! it seems like there is something in it because hes scrating at it!

 

[nikkicostello89]

What do you use as substrate? And do you know what the shop used? It may be sand stuck in there, you will need to get an eye solution and wash it out. PM Tracie - Drache613 to find out what's best to use.

Also is there not a brand name on the tube? The most recommended bulb is a MVB, but these can be quite pricey and are only suitable for 40gallon+. So next in line is a repti-SUN (not GLO) 10.0. Are you in the US?

Nikki

 

[NondoMateo]

i use newspaper on the bottom for right now. some on teling its not good to sand because of them swallowing and mites is that true

 

[nikkicostello89]

Yes very true, some people use washed playsand once they reach one year, but most stick to tile, shelf liner, lino, or newspaper/paper towels.

Sand harbours bacteria from their food and it's poo, and from their own poo, which can be very dangerous to them. It can cause parasites, bacterial infections, mites etc etc...

Did the pet shop have him on sand? Do you have any rough wood or rocks he could have scratched his eye ball on?

Do you know what brand of UVB you're using yet?

Nikki

 

[haleygirl272]

Yes, I use sand and have to replace it every 6 months. do not ever use playsand! Only reptile sand. Carpet and tile is so much easier though. :roll:

 

[baby_geek]

haleygirll272 I think you might have it backwards. You should never use the caci-sand or any reptile sand as they harden and can cause impaction. Play sand that has been washed is ok for adults but still isn't recommended as it harbors bacteria and mites as Nikki said.

It sounds like he has a piece of sand in his eye or something like that. If you have sterile water or saline (available at pharmacies) you can flush his eye 2-3 times per day and see if that helps.

Is he sitting with his mouth open only when he is basking? Sometimes they will do that to help regulate their body temps. If he is making any sort of noises when he is breathing tho (such as crackling or popping) then he needs to go and see a vet about a possible respiratory infection.

 

[haleygirl272]

haleygirll272 I think you might have it backwards. You should never use the caci-sand or any reptile sand as they harden and can cause impaction. Play sand that has been washed is ok for adults but still isn't recommended as it harbors bacteria and mites as Nikki said.

Calci-sand is terrible. I only believe in using reptile sand, but I thought if you changed it often enough, It wouldn't harbor much bacteria. :?

 

[baby_geek]

Hmmm... what kind of reptile sand are you using? there are quite a few that say they are safe for beardies but in reality they aren't. I know the calci-sand is horrible... I use it for grout between my beardie's tiles so the superworms don't get between them because it hardens when it gets wet...

Changing it often is a must tho' so that is good.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

You are using a 7% Slimline UVB light? That would be an ESU light which I hate to say is not a good one. It emits virtually no usable UVB light at all. You can use it as a regular flourescent to brighten up the tank with though, but you do need to get the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb so he can get some good UVB exposure. You can get that from http://www.petmountain.com much cheaper than at the petstore. You will also need to use a bright white basking light such as a halogen, alongside of your UVB light to help encourage basking behavior. That way he can get UVB & heat all in the same area.
How is his eye looking today? If it is still irritated, you do need to take the sand out until it is better. Try getting some turtle eye wash at the petstore, or some regular saline eye wash to help with his eye.


Tracie

 

[haleygirl272]

Hmmm... what kind of reptile sand are you using? there are quite a few that say they are safe for beardies but in reality they aren't. I know the calci-sand is horrible... I use it for grout between my beardie's tiles so the superworms don't get between them because it hardens when it gets wet...

Changing it often is a must tho' so that is good.

I didn't even read the package because like you said, "there are quite a few that say they are safe for beardies but in reality they aren't."

 

[Kite]

I didnt see anyone answer his question about his mouth. So i will. Its normal. They do that to release heat if i am correct.

 

[nikkicostello89]

haleygirll272 I think you might have it backwards. You should never use the caci-sand or any reptile sand as they harden and can cause impaction. Play sand that has been washed is ok for adults but still isn't recommended as it harbors bacteria and mites as Nikki said.

Calci-sand is terrible. I only believe in using reptile sand, but I thought if you changed it often enough, It wouldn't harbor much bacteria. :?

I have actually never come across ANY reptile sand that doesn't cause impaction. Most of them are dyed which can irritate their skin, and causes them to go a funny colour, which can take forever to get off of them. The only sand that should be used for them is washed playsand. It is very important that it is washed.

However, even changing it 'often' it will still harbour bacteria. You would need to completely change it everytime they pooed for it to stay bacteria free, and if you put food in their you would need to completely change it after each feeding as well. Sand isn't practical. I'm sure i've read a paper on how using sand increases the risk of parasites dramatically. Tile, papertowels, newspaper, lino, shelf lining etc is much much easier to clean, cheaper and healthier for your beardie.

I tried sand for 2 weeks, and i changed it after one, completely changed it, i also ensured that i cleaned out the sand surrounding the poo whenever they went, and i didn't feed them in their viv. At a regualar checkup at the vet after 2 weeks of using sand, they all had parasites. They've never had a problem with parasites before. That sand was outta there quicker that the vet could say ££. It cost me £10 for the sand for 3 vivs, and then £60 to get rid of the parasites in all three beardies.

I personally, wouldn't risk using sand.

Nikki