Syrian with eye infection?

goldenkimono · 02-02-2019, 02:13 PM

Hello! I'm new here - and will introduce myself in a second

- and have a question about my Syrian. She's 1.5 years old, otherwise seems healthy (she's eating, playing, still cuddly as ever), but seems to have developed an eye infection. We first noticed it on Sunday, got an appointment with the vet on Tuesday, who initially thought it was pink eye and gave us medication accordingly. It didn't help and it didn't look like pink eye, so we went back this morning and were given Maxitrol (two drops a day). Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? And is there anything else we can do?

Thanks!

souffle · 02-02-2019, 03:28 PM

It does look quite sore. I've had maxitrol several times for my hamsters and it has always been effective. It contains an antibiotic plus a steroid to reduce the inflammation. There is a limited time you can use it for though (about 5-7 days ) I think as you cannot keep putting a steroid in the eyes too long. Follow the vets advice on that.

goldenkimono · 02-03-2019, 02:27 AM

Ah, thank you! I got worried because my wife had to sign a release form for the medication and wondered what it'd do. How long does it usually take before you can see improvement?

cypher · 02-03-2019, 02:55 AM

I think it usually takes about a week to really get to work (can't remember exactly how long mine took) but it can make the eye look better sooner as the steroids reduce the inflammation, that doesn't mean the infection has cleared though so you do need to finish the course.

dreamtree1234 · 02-03-2019, 07:42 AM

I hope that Rookie's eye improves and her infection is completely cured very soon. Best of luck.

goldenkimono · 02-03-2019, 07:51 AM

That's good to know! It still looks quite bad, but she's only had two treatments so far, so I guess that's normal?

goldenkimono · 02-03-2019, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamtree1234

I hope that Rookie's eye improves and her infection is completely cured very soon. Best of luck.

Thank you so much.

dreamtree1234 · 02-03-2019, 08:01 AM

I'm sorry that I can't be of much help as I luckily have never had any experience with a hammy having an eye infection. As far as I understand from others who have had their hammies with this ailment, it often does look quite irritated and sore for a little while until a few more doses of the medicine has been applied first. Therefore, I think it is normal for Rookie's eye to still look like that after only having two treatments thus far. Wishing you and your precious Rookie the very best.

goldenkimono · 02-03-2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamtree1234

I'm sorry that I can't be of much help as I luckily have never had any experience with a hammy having an eye infection. As far as I understand from others who have had their hammies with this ailment, it often does look quite irritated and sore for a little while until a few more doses of the medicine has been applied first. Therefore, I think it is normal for Rookie's eye to still look like that after only having two treatments thus far. Wishing you and your precious Rookie the very best.

I'm glad you've never had to deal with it! And thank you so much, you actually reassured me quite a bit.