First time needing to go to vet

[wiszo1mt]

very nervous...

noticed my chameleons eye last night... i could tell it was irritated. her eye is swollen near where here eye and face meet and she is keeping shut. last night it was just a little swollen. well seeing her today made me call a vet before getting anyone's advice.

i wish i had a camera to show you all her eye and could get your input but the best i can do is describe it. im scared... now i wait anxiously for 2 hours until her appointment time.

 

[laurie]

I think every thing will be ok. That you are getting to the vet quickly is doing the best you can do. Let us know how it goes, most likely it is just an abscess and the vet will fix it.

 

[wiszo1mt]

well my vet visit was an hour long, most of which was paper work.

i didnt hear what i wanted from the vets, but it wasnt necessarily bad either. we talked long about how she is being kept in order to figure out what is wrong. after telling the doc how im feeding her and lighting and cage, she was unsure to why the eye would be swollen. She look in her mouth for an abscess, found nothing. looked into her eye and said it looked great in there except for all the swelling.

She prescribed some antibacterial ointment which i need to apply 3-4 times a day. I have a recheck up on friday to see if we need to go with any antibacterial shot.

the vet closed it by saying that it sounds like she may have gotten something flown into her eye or maybe it got wet with some bacterial water.... in any case i will update you all.

 

[morpheon]

Going to a specialized vet as fast as you can is definately the best thing to do, even before telling us what is happening! However, you are encouraged to take some pictures if you can and describe us what is happening, what is being done and how it ends up! We love to hear stories in detail!

By the way, make sure your vet knows how to threat chameleons! If it's a dog and cat vet, it won't be very usefull!

 

[morpheon]

As i said, is your vet specialized in chameleons?

Since you didn't get a very good answer, i now strongly suggest that you take some good pictures, and fill the "how to ask for help" form. This way you'll be able to get new opinions!

 

[wiszo1mt]

the vet i went to was a general vet, but they have specialized vets in the place. unfortunately, the reptile and exotic vet wont be in til friday, whom which i have my re check up with. today i got someone who was familiar with reptiles but friday i get the specialized lady.

when my roommate wakes up ill try to snag his camera to take a pic

 

[laurie]

We will hope all is well. Friday is only 2 days away so hang in there.

 

[panthercham]

Fingers crossed that all is well until Friday.

Not sure where you are in Michigan but if things take a turn for the worse and you can't wait here is a list of Michigan vets that have reptile experience.

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/michigan.shtml

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Have you tried misting the eye or giving your cham a shower?

 

[wiszo1mt]

hey all heres an update:

I was in my college town at the time of the incident and could only take her to an ordinary vet where i was prescibed eye ointment. It really didnt seem to be working, and knowing that i was going home, i was gonna wait so i could take her to a specialist.

today we went and the vet and she was very helpful and knowlegeable. still no known reason why the eye became infected but the eye looks 10 times better and i have only been back from the vet for one hour!

the vet drained her eye of the fluid that was building up which reduced the swelling tremendously. i was given eye drops to give her a drop twice a day. i was also given 3 antibiotic fluids which she will take orally once a day. my only problem is that shiva wont open her mouth for me so its hard to give her the medication. can anyone give me any tips on how i can give her the medicene!?

Im so excited for her to get better!!