Another closed eye thread - update

[DonnaB]

My newly rescued Syrian seems to be having a little problem with her right eye, I noticed the first day (saturday) it didnt seem to be opening fully. I left her in peace til Sunday when I could see it still didnt open fully when she woke, though after about 15 minutes she did seem to be able to open it, as much as the left one. I gave her a quick wipe with cooled boiled water (I seem to remember having a previous hammie with a sticky eye and was advised to do this).

Tonight, on waking I can see she is still having problems, the eyelashes or fur on her top lid seemed to be stuck to the eye so I had to give her a better clean to release them... I think the quick wipe I gave her last night actually made her worse by wetting any crust and helping forming a glue, if that makes sense.

So my question is... is it possible to have a sticky eye without any infection. Could it be the sawdust she was kept in? There is no redness, or obvious discharge and if she is still having problems I'll definately get her to the vet, but as she has only just arrived I dont want to stress her out unnecceasrily, if a couple of days cleaning may do the trick.

Anyone else had this problem? Thanks

[Jane]

You said "the eyelashes or fur on her top lid seemed to be stuck to the eye" If so then she will probably need some eyedrops from the vet to help this..

[souffle]

This is not uncommon but we usually find it happens in elderly hammies. She is still a younster. If there is a sticky discharge gumming the lids is is likely an infection or possibly a scratch to the eyeball and I think it would be best treated as if it gets deep in the eye it can cause glaucoma which causes the eyeball to swell and can rupture. It is usually treated with eyedrops or cream. You will need to wrap her in a towel to keep her steady then either drop in the drops or smear the cream on with a cotton bud if necessary. Immediatly you have done give her a yummy treat like a raisin as she deserves it.
Take her to the vet in her cage covered with a towel to lessen the stress but for now you can dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a pint of cooled boiled water and use this to bathe it open. I hope she gets well soon.

[DonnaB]

Thank you. I've put her back in her cage now her fur has dried and she looks fine, but I'll see how she is in the morning (I guess that means waking her up to look ) and I'll ring the vet if there is any sign of stickyness... though knowing me, I'll ring the vet even if she still looks fine, best to be safe than sorry.

[DonnaB]

Well, I woke her up this morning and her eye was stuck together again, so I rang the vet and took her down. I'd had a good look at her eye last, when I put her back in her cage, and I was a bit concerned that she looked like she had very slight entropia (where the eyelashes curve round and rub the eye). Both my children had this and so did my dog but luckily grew out of it and didnt need surgery!

The vet agreed but wasnt sure its true entropia, as if the eye had been irritated, it doesnt bulge as much, and gives the impression of entropia... if that makes sense. He did say it was slightly red and has given me oitment, which I'm sure will be an absolute joy to apply!!

So I have to apply the medication twice a day for a week then see how she is.... hopefully it will just be an irritation or scratch that has caused a slight infection.... but.... worst case, if it is entropia, she may need eye medication all her life (unless she grows out of it too) as it would be virtually impossible to operate on a hamster as you would a cat or dog. Or would it be kinder to risk an op to remove the eye, rather than have permanent meds... dunno, lets hope I dont have to make that decision and its a simple infecion.

As things stand, little Luna (I think thats going to be her name) has probably been one of the most expensive hamsters ever. Considering she only arrived on Saturday, I'm down over £85 already (cage and stuff included).... but hey, its only money and I'd rather me have her, and know she gets the correct treatment..... must remember to shred the vet receipt before my husband see it!

[Jane]

Glad you took her to the vet Hopefully the eyedrops will help and if not then I hope you can think of something to help her.

I'm sure a few people here have had hams go under operations, maybe have a chat with them if it comes to it. (can only think of Spud's Mum at the moment)

[souffle]

Jane has experience with eye infections and her hammies cleared up very well with treatment. It took a few weeks did it not Jane? Get well soon little Luna (is that from Harry Potter?) and hey what is money for if not to treat out little ones both human and animal. Our dogs 'tummy' bill is over £600 now. Eeeek!

[Jane]

Originally Posted by souffle

Jane has experience with eye infections and her hammies cleared up very well with treatment. It took a few weeks did it not Jane?

Yep, it did. Tic had conjunctivitus and his eye lids were really red and inflamed (when he actually managed to open them). I had to apply the drops twice a day and I ended up doing it for about two and a half weeks, it was clearing up before then but I wanted to make sure it was all better. It got easier to apply the drops as time went one. I just did my best to hold him still and open his eye then put them in. Then I kept him out for about 20 minutes watching him VERY carefully because otherwise the cheeky little thing would rub it all off!

[DonnaB]

Her eye is less sticky tonight, but it definately looks like the eyelashes are touching the eyeball, it could be because they're wet, or they've been stuck in that position its bent them slightly... Ior that could be wishful thinking, dunno, fingers crossed she'll be ok. The poor little mite has had such a bad start and now shes been examined at the vets, which wasnt easy, and this 'stranger' has to put cream into her eye. Having said that, she was a bit calmer as I cleaned it tonight, and she even took a raisin from my hand, so theres one improvement.

Oh, I've not seen Harry Potter... My favorite cat was called Luna, he was a wonderful cat... I said a few names of previous pets, to the children and thats the one they picked, Luna, because she comes out at night.

[Basia]

Hope all goes well with the eye drops and her eye clears up. I spend a fortune on my animals too.
I think Luna is a lovely name.