Sore eye

herbi7 · 05-27-2018, 07:32 AM

Bailey my little Chinese dwarf who is now over 4 has what looks like an eye infection, his eye was gummy at the end of last week and he kept fiddling with it to the extent his fur has come out round it. I took him to the vet and he gave me some eye drops but when I read the leaflet they were drops meant for humans! Is this normal? They contain two antibiotics and a steroid. I think he may have made do because it was an out of hours call over the bank holiday. Anyway today Bailey's eye looks bad and there is pus coming out of it although the skin round it isn't so red, I guess due to the steroids. The leaflet for the eye drops say not to use them if the infection isn't being treated by antibiotics so I'm not sure if I'm helping Bailey with them or not. What would you guys do? Oh, also his eye looks like it's sticking out further than it should. The vet wasn't sure if it was an infection or a tumour

cypher · 05-27-2018, 07:37 AM

Really sorry to hear this herbi, I have some steroid antibiotic drops the vet gave me for Tin's eyes & it says not to use with soft contact lenses so I guess they must be for humans too! How long is the course, I was told due to the steroids they shouldn't be used for more than five days.
I think the drops you have should be ok to use but it does sound as though it may be worth going back to the vet or at least calling them if Bailey's eye seems to be getting worse.
Hope he's going to be ok.

herbi7 · 05-27-2018, 07:50 AM

Thanks cypher, yes these say about contact lenses too! Glad yours are the same. I'll keep using them then. I was worried as he's not actually on antibiotics they might be making it worse. He's quite a frail little scrap now, the vet was very thorough yesterday and took ages examining him and I was worried he may not even survive the visit!

Charlie Dunn · 05-27-2018, 08:16 AM

Dear herbi, i am sorry to hear about Bailey. I hope that he starts to recover soon. I am also having problems with my dwarf hammys eyes and it is so worrying. Good luck to you both and Bailey is lucky to have an owner like you to look after him.

herbi7 · 05-27-2018, 12:50 PM

Dear Charlie D, thank you. How old is your hammy? It is a worry when they're not well isn't it and something like an eye is stressful for them when you try and treat it. Bailey is very gentle and never bites but he has been very upset with me putting his eye drops in and tries to bite me, I feel bad having to do it especially when he is so old

dreamtree1234 · 05-27-2018, 01:42 PM

I am so sorry that Bailey is having eye problems. I have never had to give my hamster eye drops before, but I can imagine that it must be extremely stressful for both of you. I do hope that he will start adjust to having them put in his eyes so he won't be as stressed, and I will be praying that his eyes fully recover. Hugs to you, Herbi7, and cuddles to your little one.

Charlie Dunn · 05-27-2018, 02:42 PM

Dear herbi we are not quite sure how old Boris is but we think about 1.5/2 years old. It is very worrying when they are not well and administering eye drops is really tricky as they are so small and wriggly. Boris was as good as gold though and seemed to forgive us for putting them in. He is very food motivated (!) and so we would distract him with one of his favourites. Keep us updated as to how you get on. I am wishing you both well.

Charlie Dunn · 05-27-2018, 02:45 PM

ps I understand about you feeling bad about administering the eye drops. I felt so mean and they don't understand why you are doing it ☹️

herbi7 · 05-28-2018, 02:04 PM

Thank you dreamtree and Charlie D. Bailey seems to be perking up quite a bit and his eye looks clearer and less sore. It doesn't have stuff coming out of it any more which is a relief, it looked awful the day after the vet examined him. It still sticks out more than it should though. At least he seems stronger and is eating well. I'm glad Boris got used to the eye drops Charlie D! I don't think Bailey ever will, he was almost impossible to keep still this evening he was so wriggly and I had to wear a glove because he's learnt if he nips me I put him down quickly! Poor soul he's a gentle boy really. I will take him to the vet again later in the week, I know a nice lady vet who is good with hamsters and she knows Bailey so hopefully she'll be able to tell if it's a tumour or just an infection.

Charlie Dunn · 05-28-2018, 02:10 PM

Thank you for the update Herbi. I am glad that Bailey is improving - that is really good news. Good thinking on the glove- I'm not surprised he was a bit nippy. I think I would be!! Do keep us posted as to his progress and I hope it is good news with the nice lady vet.