Is this photo kerato conjunctivitis??

[Mercd]

Hi all!! So we are EXTREMELY new bearded dragon owners! As in less than 24 hours. So we picked up my daughter's dragon yesterday from Petco ( I do know this is a no no place. My husband's doing) and an hour later when we got home with him my daughter told me that he won't open his one eye. I looked at it and got into Google of course to see what's wrong. I also called Petco and they said we can bring him back in and they make a vet appointment and we leave him with them and we get him back when he is cured (that's exactly what they said) my 8 year old daughter is not to keen on this idea and I don't blame her. I am wondering what if anything I can do myself to help him. I do not have the uvb Light on in his tank and frankly I will be going and purchasing a new one after all the reading I have done.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi all!! So we are EXTREMELY new bearded dragon owners! As in less than 24 hours. So we picked up my daughter's dragon yesterday from Petco ( I do know this is a no no place. My husband's doing) and an hour later when we got home with him my daughter told me that he won't open his one eye. I looked at it and got into Google of course to see what's wrong. I also called Petco and they said we can bring him back in and they make a vet appointment and we leave him with them and we get him back when he is cured (that's exactly what they said) my 8 year old daughter is not to keen on this idea and I don't blame her. I am wondering what if anything I can do myself to help him. I do not have the uvb Light on in his tank and frankly I will be going and purchasing a new one after all the reading I have done. View attachment 68598 View attachment 68599 View attachment 68600 View attachment 68601 View attachment 68602

Welcome- what uvb are you planning to get? No coils please after reading your post I want you to get a good uvb please do not listen to the Petco people for anything on the dragons care- basking bulb should be a clear bright white bulb example Exo Terra intense basking but any clear bright white bulb will do one that keeps his temps 105-110 taken w a digital probe thermometer- surface basking temps-- a long tube uvb fixture I recommend a 24" fixture for a 40+ gallon tank - example zoo med or a Arcadia pro T 5 w/ a 12% bulb most pet stores do not carry these only T 8's - if you need help w/ this please ask-- as far as the eye please rinse w/ regular saline solution the apply some raw unpasteurized honey please do not leave any crickets in the tank they will go straight to the eye-

 

[Mercd]

Is what you suggested better than a reptisun 10? A lot of people seem to have recommended reptisun 10 in other posts but I am willing to get whatever is best. How often should I rinse with saline and apply the honey?

 

[KarrieRee]

Is what you suggested better than a reptisun 10? A lot of people seem to have recommended reptisun 10 in other posts but I am willing to get whatever is best. How often should I rinse with saline and apply the honey?

The 10 is the bulb they have 5.0 which is more for aquarium use- those will come w/ the 24" zoo med fixture - that is why we mention the 10.0 bulb-- I would rinse the eye 2 times per day and apply the honey 2 times per day- incorrect lighting will cause this along w/ sand or loose substrate

 

[Mercd]

The 10 is the bulb they have 5.0 which is more for aquarium use- those will come w/ the 24" zoo med fixture - that is why we mention the 10.0 bulb-- I would rinse the eye 2 times per day and apply the honey 2 times per day- incorrect lighting will cause this along w/ sand or loose substrate

I forgot to add that the bad eye feels very hard...is this a normal side affect?

 

[KarrieRee]

I forgot to add that the bad eye feels very hard...is this a normal side affect?

Not sure let me get some more help
@Drache613

 

[Mercd]

Not sure let me get some more help
@Drache613

Thank you!! I appreciate it!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That does look a bit painful for him! You are using the compact/coil lights?
For now, until his eye shows signs of healing up, use just a basking bulb while you are getting a new UVB light ordered.
As Karrie suggested, one of the tube bulbs would be a better choice & safer UVB source. The raw, unpasteurized honey
is great to use. You could also get some sterile saline solution to flush out his eyes daily also.
If it appears to be getting infected you could consider getting some antibiotic eye ointment to help clear up any infection.
Is he eating very well right now?
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

 

[Mercd]

Hello,

That does look a bit painful for him! You are using the compact/coil lights?
For now, until his eye shows signs of healing up, use just a basking bulb while you are getting a new UVB light ordered.
As Karrie suggested, one of the tube bulbs would be a better choice & safer UVB source. The raw, unpasteurized honey
is great to use. You could also get some sterile saline solution to flush out his eyes daily also.
If it appears to be getting infected you could consider getting some antibiotic eye ointment to help clear up any infection.
Is he eating very well right now?
Let us know how he is doing.

Tracie

I'm not sure what light type Petco was using. I did research right away so I actually never put any uvb lights on him at home. Yep I got the honey and sterile saline and started that yesterday! He did eat a few crickets finally yesterday evening so that was good to see.

 

[KarrieRee]

I'm not sure what light type Petco was using. I did research right away so I actually never put any uvb lights on him at home. Yep I got the honey and sterile saline and started that yesterday! He did eat a few crickets finally yesterday evening so that was good to see.

You do not have a UVB? Please get one as soon as you can if this is the case-- your dragon will not live w/out UVB

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

at this time he is developing MBD and thus the issue w/ the eye

 

[Mercd]

You do not have a UVB? Please get one as soon as you can if this is the case-- your dragon will not live w/out UVB

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood

Efficient and sleek t5 UVB light fixture for reptiles terrariums and more! Order your lighting and supplies today from Pangea Reptile.

www.pangeareptile.com

22" Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood

Arcadia ProT5 12% UVB Bulb With Hood is a highly adaptable lighting kit with high-quality internal electronics designed for optimal reptile husbandry. Get yours today from Pangea Reptile!

www.pangeareptile.com

at this time he is developing MBD and thus the issue w/ the eye

No I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it confusing. I do have one but haven't turned it on for him because he had this condition with his eye when I picked him up from Petco on Tuesday. As in a couple days ago. I got a coil uvb Light that came with his tank but never used it on him because we have only had him a couple days and I read on here that with this eye condition, you are to turn off the light for a bit so his eye can heal. Because his tank came with a coil one and I read those are horrible, I have ordered a new light. The reptisun 10 one. He has only been without a uvb Light for 2 days. I hope this made sense...

 

[KarrieRee]

No I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it confusing. I do have one but haven't turned it on for him because he had this condition with his eye when I picked him up from Petco on Tuesday. As in a couple days ago. I got a coil uvb Light that came with his tank but never used it on him because we have only had him a couple days and I read on here that with this eye condition, you are to turn off the light for a bit so his eye can heal. Because his tank came with a coil one and I read those are horrible, I have ordered a new light. The reptisun 10 one. He has only been without a uvb Light for 2 days. I hope this made sense...

Ok so when you get the new 10.0 bulb is it the T 5 you ordered or the T 8 ? You want to get it on him as soon as you can they will help heal the eye - distance and placement is different for the T 5 and T 8 - you dont want the coil on please leave it off ---

 

[Mercd]

It's the t8. So your saying I should turn the new light on as soon as I get it and it will help heal his eye? I'm sorry to sound so confused. If it is photo kerato conjunctivitis, wouldn't turning it on before it heals, continue to make it worse? Drache613 had mentioned to just use the basking bulb until it shows signs of healing.

 

[KarrieRee]

It's the t8. So your saying I should turn the new light on as soon as I get it and it will help heal his eye? I'm sorry to sound so confused. If it is photo kerato conjunctivitis, wouldn't turning it on before it heals, continue to make it worse? Drache613 had mentioned to just use the basking bulb until it shows signs of healing.

ok then do what Tracie said - leave it off for now- the T 8 is going to need to go inside the tank approx 6-8 inches directly above your basking decor piece - I am thinking she was talking about the coil UVB but I could be wrong-

 

[Mercd]

Actually your probably right. I re read what she said and I'm thinking she also meant the coil light. The new light will be here tomorrow!