Stubborn Eye infection a symptom for something else?

[Penn]

Hi all! I only ever seem to post on here when something is wrong =< I'm sorry about that, I'll try to do better!

My boy Errol is just over 2 years now (Actually nearing 2.5! Such an old man).


Recently he developed a bit of sticky eye and I took to cleaning it out with a microfibre cloth and just some plain warm water. It was strange because it's primarily in his left eye but one day he woke up and it was in his right eye, but only once, it shifted back to his left eye after that. After a week of me cleaning it wasn't shifting so a trip to the (non exotic) vet diagnosed him with conjunctivitis. The vet perscribed Isathal for one week and a follow up if he didn't improve. I cleaned out Errol's sleeeping area of his cage in case it was something in there, and removed his usual wooden house and replaced it with a plastic one.

The Isathal seemed to work at first but generally I didn't see any improvement, so a follow up appointment was made. The vet then perscribed Maxitrol(Dexamethasone) as a stronger antibiotic and anti-inflammatory.

And honestly? It seems to be getting worse. HE seems to be getting worse. His second follow up will be this wednesday and I'm worried that the infection is just a symptom of something much worse. So I'm going to request a referal to the local exotics

He's going from being a sleeping-more but still-bubbly ham to a doddery old man who just seems keen to flop as soon as he gets out the cage.

I've considered removing all the carefresh from his nest and replacing it with plain tissue paper to see if that makes a difference. I'm concerned that it's something to do with the Tiny Friends Farm bathing sand - which I was using up until January, because apparently the new formula contains clay and was causing all sorts of problems in hams, like respitory infections and in some cases death.

Does anyone know of anything about stubborn eye infections or anything to do with the Tiny Friends Farm bathing sand causing things like this? Do we think removing all of his carefresh with tissue would help?

Many thanks folks!

[WillowHamHam]

Whilst I don't have much experience with hamster eye issues, in regards to the TFF sand, the youtuber Victoria Raechel contacted the company and they said that the formula has not changed (You can check the video out here at 4:11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s6EBowqxac ). However, it is made of sepiolite mineral which is a clay mineral. I'm not sure if the sand may have caused Errol's eye issues, but perhaps the dust has irritated his eye? (it is very dusty sand!) However, this is just a thought, I'm not sure if that is likely to be the cause. I doubt it is if you stopped using it in January that it has caused this though. Sending healing vibes x

[Ria P]

Could it not be simply down to old age? Very old humans often have sticky eyes. My eyesight isn't the best because i'm getting on myself but Orie's eye looks alright to me.

[Penn]

Originally Posted by WillowHamHam

I doubt it is if you stopped using it in January that it has caused this though. Sending healing vibes x

I think my worry with the clay stuff is that there's something internal going on and the eyes are just a symptom =<

Originally Posted by Ria P

Could it not be simply down to old age?

I did consider that, but the decline has been so quick? We're talking less than a month and he's gone from being a nosey,zoomy little climber to doddering around with no balance and wanting to flop and nap everytime I get him out =< I get that with Hams it can be quick, but something doesn't feel right to me =<

[Penn]

So, a little update on Errol!

Out of sheer curiosity, on Tuesday I switched the bedding just in his nest (not the rest of the cage) from carefresh to straight up tissue paper, and his eyes almost immediately cleared up. Last night was supposed to be his last round of meds and his eyes were completely clear until today when I had a quick look and they were a little sticky. Not very, but a little! So I'm going to carry on with the meds for a little while longer and look into a carefresh alternative for him.

Can Hams develop allergies to bedding as they age? Is that a thing? O.o