Swollen eye, dont know what it is or how to help.

[Shmugi]

My bearded dragon Smaug's right eye seems to be swollen, like there seems to be a build up of fluid above his eye, and I do not know what this is. All I found on the internet is that it could be just because he is shedding, or its an eye infection, or a stroke of some kind, or a vitamin A deficiency. I really dont know... he seems to be doing fine. He is eating, he is active, his beard is not dark or black, he seems to be completely fine except for his eye and I dont know what to do with it. I want to go to a vet but the nearest reptile vet is 4 hours away and do not want to subject him to that kind of stress without reason. Please respond if you have seen this before.

his normal eye

his swollen eye

 

[xp29]

My bearded dragon Smaug's right eye seems to be swollen, like there seems to be a build up of fluid above his eye, and I do not know what this is. All I found on the internet is that it could be just because he is shedding, or its an eye infection, or a stroke of some kind, or a vitamin A deficiency. I really dont know... he seems to be doing fine. He is eating, he is active, his beard is not dark or black, he seems to be completely fine except for his eye and I dont know what to do with it. I want to go to a vet but the nearest reptile vet is 4 hours away and do not want to subject him to that kind of stress without reason. Please respond if you have seen this before.

his normal eye
View attachment 92064


his swollen eye

View attachment 92065

@Drache613 or @AHBD might be the best to talk to.

 

[AHBD]

He might have bumped it on something that caused it to swell or maybe a tiny bit of debris is stuck in there [ less likely but still possible ] It wouldn't be a stroke or vitamin deficiency, that would affect both eyes. You can try some Terramycin eye ointment for reptiles or even some diluted raw honey , but it must be raw, unpasteurized and mixed with a tiny bit of lukewarm water. It works surprisingly well, used it myself for my beardie's eye infection.

Btw, can you post a pic of the enclosure and the lights ? Do you use a night light at all or red light ?

 

[Shmugi]

He might have bumped it on something that caused it to swell or maybe a tiny bit of debris is stuck in there [ less likely but still possible ] It wouldn't be a stroke or vitamin deficiency, that would affect both eyes. You can try some Terramycin eye ointment for reptiles or even some diluted raw honey , but it must be raw, unpasteurized and mixed with a tiny bit of lukewarm water. It works surprisingly well, used it myself for my beardie's eye infection.

Btw, can you post a pic of the enclosure and the lights ? Do you use a night light at all or red light ?

I can't post a picture at the moment (its night time right now, want to let him sleep) I dont use a night light or red lights, his home is completely dark during the night.

Thank you for the advice, I will try to look into the Terramycin or raw honey. Could he have maybe scratched it? Since he does scratch his face sometimes during baths. Debris is possible, but I dont use any granular substrate because I am deathly afraid of him getting impacted.

 

[AHBD]

Hmmm, well they all scratch at their eyes sometimes but if he had scratched the eye itself it would be red or irritated looking or he would hold it shut most of the time. If he scratched the eyelid + surrounding area it would probably have bled a little bit but I guess you can't rule that out. If he jumped and bumped it hard against something it could have caused the swelling too. So it's a case of just guessing so far. So yes, try the honey or ointment, usually 3 X a daybut if it gets worse you may need to get to the vet. It's good that it does'nt bother him so far though !

 

[Shmugi]

Hmmm, well they all scratch at their eyes sometimes but if he had scratched the eye itself it would be red or irritated looking or he would hold it shut most of the time. If he scratched the eyelid + surrounding area it would probably have bled a little bit but I guess you can't rule that out. If he jumped and bumped it hard against something it could have caused the swelling too. So it's a case of just guessing so far. So yes, try the honey or ointment, usually 3 X a daybut if it gets worse you may need to get to the vet. It's good that it does'nt bother him so far though !

Thank you, I will try.