Eye infection (i think)

Question
QUESTION: Hi, ive had my male rat for about 4 months but about a week ago his eye began looking swollen, after a few days it was all puffed up and red, I left it as I read it could be stress and will go down, and he doesnt appear to be in any pain, however now the redness has gone down but its all white and looks deformed, its really not pleasant to look at but he doesnt seem to be in any pain and eats as normal etc. Would it be ok to leave it? will he get better on his own? there's no vets around here that will deal with small animals. What exactly could he have?

Many thanks in advance
Bryan

ANSWER: Hi Bryan,

From what you described it as it sounds like he has an eye infection or irritation. Animals are very good at hiding the fact that they are in pain so it can be hard to know if he is in fact in pain. If he is eating, drinking and defecating all normally he should be okay but you may risk loosing the eye if it is serious. Your right it could be stress or irritation on the eye. Dont use pine or cedar in his cage because those types of bedding cause many problem on being eye irritation.the biggest thing is keeping the eye clean of debris.so try to keep the eye clean and if it doesn't go down in a few days I would take him to the vet. If you would like you could take a pic and send it to me and Ill give you a better detailed opinion.

Good luck,

Emily Harris

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


rat   QUESTION: Hi

I have sent a photo taken just 10 mins ago, what do you think?

Thanks again in advance

Answer
well it looks to me like he has no sight in that eye. try moving your finger or hand closer to the rats effected eye and see if he has any reaction. This could just be that before you got him he somehow did something and it caused him to have blind eye. your best bet would to try asking your vet. they can examine him and test him for infections.
My best bet though is that he is most likely blind in that eye. If its not causing him problems I would wait a few days and just keep and eye on it. If it starts to bother him I would take him to the vet Asap.

I hope I helped!

Emily Harris