|
Post by rowan on Feb 7, 2024 7:53:29 GMT -8
The last few days Daphne has been waking up with a lot of eye discharge. This morning I saw that her eye was pretty much glued shut by the eye boogers, so I picked her up. When I picked her up, she actually opened that eye, but I noticed that she had a little swollen spot on her eyelid (like a stye).
Is this an eye infection? How can it be treated? What may have caused it?
I’ll try to get a picture of her and post it later on.
|
|
|
Post by betty on Feb 8, 2024 9:19:05 GMT -8
Eye infections (and or eye damage from pokes or scratches) most likely need medication as they can be very painful - although if the eye itself isn't sore looking, isn't bloodshot or swollen and isn't discharging thick yellow discharge - it could be just an irritation from dusty bedding, substrate falling in the eye, or allergies.
Irrespective of whether you have arranged to attend a vets appointment, I would firstly strip back the substrate in the enclosure to as simple and as dust-free as possible - so perhaps simply shredded kitchen roll or chipped cardboard etc. If the eye is sore or irritated - then reducing further irritation is a must.
Regularly wiping the eye gently (with something soft and sterile that has been dipped in clean warm water) may help to soothe it and reduce build up of gunk. Always wipe one way only - from front to back - and only wipe one eye with one piece (don't wipe one eye and then with the same material wipe the other eye) as this wil reduce cross-contamination if it IS an infection.
How is she today anyway - I noticed it has been 24 hours since you first posted.
If you have seen a permanent growth or bump that is mis-shaping the skin of the eye lid - then medication from a vet may be the most productive treatment - especially if that lump/bump is causing most of the irritation for your gerbil - as no amount of just gentle wiping with warm water can clear an infection.
There are many non-prescription remedies that people may recommend for sore eyes in general, but almost all of these shouldn't be put in a place where they can actually touch the eyeball, so application can be tricky.
|
|