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Post by AndreaS15 on Jul 17, 2005 16:53:23 GMT -8
I just adopted my first Argente (Shelby) on Wednesday night, she' so wonderful, sweet and curious, But also an escape artist! I caught her Friday morning on the other side of the split cage, her in one corner my spotted burmese (Mazerati) in the other. I rushed to get her out, and saw the bottom of her left eye lid was cut. There wasn't really any blood, but you can see the cut quite clearly. First I though Mazerati attacked her, but now I'm not so sure, they haven't shown any aggression towards one another throught the split cage. I'm thinking when she squished herself through the mesh she probably cut it on some sharp part of the metal. I feel like a terrible mom, but I never would have guesed she could find a way through (they always do don't they?). Is there anything I can do to help make sure it heals ok, being it is SO close to the eye? Here's a picture of her "good" side
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Post by meganb52 on Jul 17, 2005 16:59:31 GMT -8
I would make sure to keep her on clean, soft bedding (toilet paper, facial tissues, etc.) and just let it heal on its own. The eye itself secretes lots of natural antibacterial enzymes and such, so I wouldn't be too worried about infection if you keep her in a nice, clean environment. If you see swelling in the area, or excessive redness, or she seems especially uncomfortable, I'd take her to the vet to get some eye medications. You shouldn't use over-the-counter triple antibiotics like Neosporin that close to the eye, so you'd have to get a prescription eye ointment from your vet. From the pics, it doesn't look that bad, so I'd just keep close tabs on her and it should heal up fine. If possible, I would hold off on the split-caging unil she is healed, and you may want to find a new material for the next go 'round! She certainly is a cutie though! Good luck! -Megan
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Post by AndreaS15 on Jul 17, 2005 17:23:20 GMT -8
Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, i didn't do anything but give her eye a slight whipe and check it out, being it's her eye I wouldn't put anything near it unless given to me by a Vet. She's on Corn cob right now with Tissue. I'm switching all my tanks to Corn Cob because it dosn't add to the dust we allready have in this house like the other beddings I've used, I actually don't even really like corn cob, but I have so many gerbils half my males with allergies It's the only one every tank can be happy on. I've fixed where she got over the top, this is the first split cage I've ever made I'm not thinking there will be another time I'm up to 13 gerbils.. this will be my limit for a few years for sure lol Being they are doing so well, I think I'm not going to have to keep the split up for very much longer
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Post by sandy on Jul 17, 2005 18:15:24 GMT -8
Oh, no, poor little thing! Luckily it doesn't look too bad, and I agree with Megan, it looks like it was just a scrape of the skin around the eye, not in the eye itself and should heal quickly without intervention. Good luck with the intros!
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Post by AndreaS15 on Jul 17, 2005 18:38:46 GMT -8
Thanks Sandy. I feel so bad, i take a gerbil home from you and now look! I agree, the eye hasn't be hurt, i checked it our real good and there is no marks or anything on the actual eye. I've been watching it these last few days, and there is no swelling, nor does she seemed bothered by it. Both gerbils are sleeping beside the mesh now
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Jul 17, 2005 23:53:46 GMT -8
it looks worse than it is I agree it's probably from the wire. I too find it difficult to get split cages right, I now use a commercial one sold for hamsters! Leave well alone and I am sure it will heal by itself. Good luck.
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Post by RyanF on Jul 18, 2005 4:42:52 GMT -8
She is quite the beauty, isn't she! Anyway, it doesn't look too bad, so good luck with the recovery!
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