Conjunctivitis still getting worse after two sets of antibiotics

[jsp]

Roc's eye looks much better this morning. It is half open and not red any more. I put more drops on.

[souffle]

That's great news. The eyelashes turning in are common in rex hamsters due to the curl in the hairs but less common in normal coats.
Hope they new drops keep it under control but it sounds as if the steroid is reducing the inflammation. Is it Maxitrol drops? We had those for a rex we had once who suffered with this.

[jsp]

Thanks, yes I'm hoping it keeps getting better. The eye was closed again last night.

The drops are dexamethasone.

[jsp]

I just checked and it is Maxitrol drops right enough. The hamster is about ready to sell me.

[jsp]

Hello

Here is what Roc looks like after 7 days of steroid drops.

[jsp]

Roc's face has swelled up from his ear to his nose now and he is going to the exotic vet this afternoon.

[Ria P]

Oh dear. That looks bad. I think there is something else going on but an exotics vet should be able to diagnose and hopefully be able to treat, fingers crossed.

[Engel]

Ouch. That looks painful! Has your vet checked that there's nothing trapped in the eye? Or has punctured the cheek pouch and travelled up? Hopefully you'll get some answers. Fingers crossed for Roc

[jsp]

Roc is coming home with more different antibiotics now. Apparently the photo made it look swollen but his face is not actually as swollen as it looks. The exotic vet checked and he still has an infection, and his eyelashes are still curled under and scratching his eye.

She said his teeth are fine at the front and not wobbly or anything (that must be a risky thing to check). She says she can't be sure that he doesn't have an abcess at the back, but we've to try different antibiotics first. She said they could send a swab to the hospital for £100, or take the antibiotics that they normally give for hamster, which are different from the ones that he's had before. We chose the antibiotics.

We've now to do antibiotics three times a day for two weeks, and really try hard to get them right in his eye. It was £60.

Really very very glad we don't have a horse now.

[jsp]

My husband says the vet had a special way of holding the hamster. She held it in her hand like a potato, but with her index and middle finger over his shoulders like a five-point car seat harness. She then was able to unstick his eyelid from his eyes. His eye is now fully open.

I am going to see if I can do open his eyes fully tomorrow as well. It seems as though I can get the drops in his eyes better if pinch the the scruff on the top of his head and lift, rather than just gripping his whole body, while he screws his eye tight shut.