Red Eyed Rat?

Question
Hi Sandra,

I previously asked you a question about spaying female rats. The answer you provided was fantastic.

I just came in the door and checked on my rats and noticed one of them has a red eye! I checked her and it appears she is otherwise fine, but her eye appears to be slightly bulged and filled with red liquid (possibly blood or porphyrin). I just finished treating her and her sister for URI's and both seem fine otherwise; they are active, curious, eating well and drinking enough water. What's happened to her eye, though?

Answer
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY it took me so long to get to you!! I just was told by allexperts I had several unanswered questions sitting and I was like....whoa....I hate that, esp if its urgent!  This is urgent. Not sure if you went to the vets yet but if you did, please let me know what happened.  Sounds like she has possibly a nasty eye infection and the red you see is Hyperemia,which is blood in or behind the eye.How is she now and do you have an exotic vet you can see?  I had this occur with my own rat, and it is from infection but it could be from something else such as trauma to the eye.  Either way, it should be treated right away to prevent possible permanent blindness, which may occur.
I have a rat that is permanently blind in both eyes and he does well (the little trooper survived a brain infection last year) but his life did change drastically .  If you need an exotic vet let me know and I can give you names.  I think you have one though ....cant recall out last conversation...errr....message, that is.  ;)  winks winks


let me know how she is today....