Bearded Dragon Eyes

Question

Bearded Dragon Eyes   QUESTION: Hi Tracie,

I added another question to your last response, but I couldn't add a picture.  I have them here now.  I also forgot to mention her supplements.  I am giving her rep-cal with d3 twice weekly added to her veg and reptivite dusted on her superworms twice weekly (not the same days as the calcium).  Thanks.

Jeannine

ANSWER: Hello Jeannine,

She is an adult, right?  She should get rep-cal calcium 3 times per week & the reptivite only once per week.  
How long have her eyes been like this?  
The Reptivite has vitamin A in it which can become toxic over time.  Maybe until we figure out exactly what is going on, try cutting that one out right now just to make sure she isn't getting too much vitamin A.  A better choice is herptivite vitamins.  They have beta carotene in them instead of synthetic vitamin A so it doesn't build up in the system.
How many superworms does she have per week?  An adult on superworms as a staple, can have around 25-30 superworms, along with greens & veggies for weight maintenance.
Which UVB were you using again?

Tracie


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

QUESTION: Hi Tracie,

She is an adult.  She measures around 18 inches long and weighs 525 grams.  She wasn't receiving any supplements in her previous home, just superworms and veggies, so I don't think it's vitamin a toxicity.  Her eye has been like this for about three weeks.  I got her a little over a week ago.  You can't see in the picture, but it is bloodshot as well.  I am using the repti-glo 10.0 bulb.  I just purchased a new one on Tuesday.  Her appetite seems diminished and she is becoming lethargic.  I have removed the sand substrate and rinsed her eyes with sterile water.  I have been using antibiotic eye ointment daily since Sunday, but it's not getting any better and now I have noticed her gums are very pale.  I will probably have to take her to the vet, but as I mentioned, there is no herp vet in this area, so I would like to have good advice before going in to see someone who may be uninformed about reptile health.  Thanks again.

Jeannine

Answer
Hello Jeannine,

Ok, most likely it is not a vitamin toxicity. Do you know what type of UVB bulb they used over her?
The Reptiglo 10, is it the tube bulb or a compact/coil light?  Unfortunately, the Reptiglo 10 tube & compact/coil lights both, are not very good & have been known to cause eye issues.  It emits low wavelength UVB which is borderline UVC emissions.  They can cause a myriad of health problems such as lethargic behavior, loss of appetite, etc.  How close is the Reptiglo 10 to her?
Are you using a bright white basking light that is mounted directly beside the Reptiglo 10?  
Go ahead & turn off the Reptiglo 10 bulb, & just use the basking light.  If you are not using a bright white basking light, you will need to use a regular household bulb or a halogen bulb for basking.  If you are using a colored bulb, you will need to take that out & use a bright white light.
Great you have taken the sand out & replaced it with something else.  Are you using paper towels now?  Continue to use the antibiotic eye ointment.  Try to find some sterile saline solution at the drug store to help rinse the eyes out.
The best UVB light you can get that is a tube bulb is the Reptisun 10 & you can get it here:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-fluorescent-bulbs/504983/zoo-med-rept

Her gums may be pale due to being exposed to the bad lighting.  It causes stress which has probably increased her parasite or worm levels & that does affect iron levels.  She is most likely dehydrated as well.  You can try to get some pedialyte & dilute it down to 3 parts water to 1 part pedialyte & get several ml's into her daily with a plastic dropper.

Let me know how she is doing.

Tracie