Good evening everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I have a Red Bar Panther whom was brought into my place of a work (an exotic pet store) about two months ago. He was blind, thin, and extremely dehydrated. I've gotten quite a bit of weight on him and hydration is no longer and issue. My question now is whether or not I can save his eye. His left eye is almost completely gone and I know I can't save it, however his right eye is structurally intact from what I can see. It is covered by a yellow fleshy substance that looks dry. Does anyone have any advice? The reptile "expert" I work under think that Poe doesn't have long and his eye is beyond saving. However this expert is 19, so who's to say whether or not he knows his stuff. Please help!
Can my sight be saved?
- Thread starter Doc
- Start date
Thegreatfonz
Member
Looks like an eye infection which is easily treatable..so whats wrong with his other eye how do you know its gone. If you could fill out the how to ask for help form https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Also here is a link to eye problems https://www.chameleonforums.com/eye-problems-76636/
Also here is a link to eye problems https://www.chameleonforums.com/eye-problems-76636/
I have a Red Bar Panther, Male, who I've name Poe and I'm not sure about the age because of my adoption circumstances but he is 14 inches long from nose to tail tip. I handle him daily as his lack of sight make it impossible to eat on his own. I feed him gut loaded crickets, dusted every third or fourth feeding with calcium from georgiacrickets. com. His watering consists of me carefully spraying very slight amounts of water at the tip of his tongue, NOT down his throat, and then I wait and observe his swallowing of said water to make sure he is receptive of it. I mist him 3 or 4 times daily. My cage is a well ventilated plastic and screen cubic foot terrarium. I have a Reptiglo 5.0 13 watt and a Zoo Med 25 Watt Basking lamp. I don't think at this point a large set up will help as he doesn't move on his own at all. Humidity is usually kept at 60 percent naturally because I live in Florida. No live plants, and the terrarium is not in a location where vents are an issue. We do take him out on our screen in Lanai to enjoy natural sunlight and temperatures on very warm days.
His left eye is completely flat in shape, and the area that his pupil should be was scabbed over when I first got him and now ha a solid black bit of flesh where his pupil should be. I will attach a picture. His right eye is infected I believe.
His left eye is completely flat in shape, and the area that his pupil should be was scabbed over when I first got him and now ha a solid black bit of flesh where his pupil should be. I will attach a picture. His right eye is infected I believe.
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ataraxia
Avid Member
Hi, this chameleon is very ill. The eyes sunken, cheeks sunken, lobes sunken, etc can be from multiple reasons.
The yellow substance you are seeing in the eye is more than likely an infection.
Im going to be completely honest. He is more than likely going to perish BUT as long as he has a fight in him i would try.
1. Get him in a shower chamber a couple times a day. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/594-shower-chamber-treatment.html
2. Need to get him into a vet that is experienced with chameleons asap. You will need to see why, what is the cause of the illness. Could be organ issues, could be parasite infestation, other infections within the body, etc..
The yellow substance you are seeing in the eye is more than likely an infection.
Im going to be completely honest. He is more than likely going to perish BUT as long as he has a fight in him i would try.
1. Get him in a shower chamber a couple times a day. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/594-shower-chamber-treatment.html
2. Need to get him into a vet that is experienced with chameleons asap. You will need to see why, what is the cause of the illness. Could be organ issues, could be parasite infestation, other infections within the body, etc..
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Were your pictures from when you first got him or are they current? If they are current I agree he's still extremely dehydrated...just depleted. This is part of the eye problem, but not all of it. We can't tell if his "good" eye is even functional really. Does he move the orb around under the skin or try to open the lid? Does he show any reaction to light on that side? When he is misted does he attempt to clean the eye by pushing it out or rolling it around? If not he may well be permanently blinded. One-eyed chams do eventually learn to hunt OK.
If he takes food from your hand and drinks OK he might hang in there a while, but if he is already in organ failure (a result of severe dehydration and starvation) probably not. Poor guy!
melble68
Established Member
Daniel where are you at in FL? I'm in Tampa. Below is the address for a reputable reptile vet in Clearwater area.
Avian and Animal Hospital
11405 Starkey Road
Largo, FL 33773
(727) 398-1928
[email protected]
Avian and Animal Hospital
11405 Starkey Road
Largo, FL 33773
(727) 398-1928
[email protected]
mrchameleon
New Member
I also use Dr. Zellner but make sure you book with her . She is very nice and will take the time to answer all your questions. All the staff are wonderful. I live an hour away and she is worth the drive.
