Water Dragon Eye/Substrate Problem

Question
Santa brought my daughter a Chinese Water DRagon. His tank contained a dry dirt substrate that you soak in water prior to putting it in the tank. He digs like a dog and got some in his eyes. We brought him into PetCo and they swabbed his eyes. We changed to a small bark substrate but he still gets stuff in his eyes. He then scratches at them and they appear to bleed. This then dries and the eyes look swollen and a bit purple. I have tried to soak him in a warm water bath and flush his eyes but he will not open them. In fact, he keeps his eyes closed most of the time and I am concerned that he is not eating enough. Is there something else we can do? Is there another problem that is apparant to you? My daughter would be devastated if the dragon Santa brought her did not survive.

Answer
Hello Denise, Water Dragons often get these eye problems from their substrate. First I will need more information on your setup. It sounds as though he may be in an aquarium style tank? You need to get a larger enclosure for him to have room to climb. Minimum size is 4ft tall 4ft wide and 2ft deep. They love to climb and digging usually means that the enclosure is too small and he needs more space. I would get that taken care of as soon as you can. The bark substrate is often much worse when it comes to eye problems. Be sure to do your own research before taking advice from pet stores. Sometimes they don't know what they are talking about.

But for right now any particulate substrate (eco earth, soil, bark etc) needs to be removed to prevent further damage. For ill, young or injured dragons use paper towels or black & white newspaper. Reptile Carpet, tile or lineleum flooring, are also acceptable.

Go to the pet store and buy "Turtle Eye Drops" use as directed on the box for your water dragons eyes. This will not cure any present infection but will help lubricate the eye in order to get objects out. Water Dragons like many reptiles use their eye sight to hunt and without it have difficulties.

Try to hand feed him if he isn't eating, try a variety of foods.

Keep the heat up and humidity up dont let it drop too far. Make sure if he sheds that the skin around his eyes comes off.

It sounds like it is infected and if the turtle eye drops dont help you should take him into a vet.

So switch the substrate, get a larger enclosure, turtle eye drops, and if needed after all of that get him into a vet.


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Best of luck
Yexalen