eye "glued" shut

[Babyangel122985]

Hello,
When I checked on my chinchillas today I noticed one is holding one of her eyes shut. I was just wondering if it was glued shut somehow or if she could be in pain. I also was wondering how I may be able to fix it. Would a warm wash cloth do the job? I know you arent supposed to bathe them with water so I was just wondering what options I may have to do a at home treatment. I'd rather not have to take her to the vet. She doesnt really like to be held so that adds more to the problem for me.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Stackie]

Usually when the eye is shut there is either an infection or an injury. You can use a warm wash cloth to compress and to gently open the eye. Squirting a bit of saline on it may help, too.

Even if you don't want to go to the vet, you'll have to. It's part of being a pet owner. They'll need to do a dye test to check to see if she scratched her eye. If not, it is probably an infection cropping up. Both of which will require medication.

 

[lauralynne]

I'd rather not have to take her to the vet.

Why?

 

[tunes]

You can try flushing it as Stackie suggested and getting it open. But if it isn't compeletely clear and doesn't stay open overnight, then you are going to need antibiotic drops at the very least, and that means a vet visit.

There could be several reasons this could be happening. It could just be irritated and flushing it out will help, but it could also be something more like a bacterial infection or a scratched cornea. The only way to know for sure on the second two possibilities, is to see a vet.

The chin will get over being held. If I paid any attention to that, half the chins here would never get handle. Generally once you get them out and hold them securely, they are fine.

 

[Babyangel122985]

vet

I have no problem taking her to the vet, but I just stated I do not want to if I dont have to since it costs money. If I can fix it on my own I will, I just was asking for other options.

 

[caiti]

So how is the chin doing? Is her eye still shut or did you get it open with a warm compress?

I think people were just concerned you might be one of those people who are never going to bring their pet to the vet. But I think everyone can understand that going to the vet is stressful for the pet and yes, is costly (god, how costly...).

I've only ever seen people give honest advice here, so if someone says you can try to manage the problem on your own or if someone says you need a vet asap, I would consider their advice unbiased and logical. That being said--I have no advice/information to give you just my sympathies on your chinnie. Hope she gets better soon!!

 

[Babyangel122985]

Doing good

She opened her eye last night on her own w/out any compress or anything but I did put one on it once very gently to wipe around it while she was being held. I'm hoping she is finally getting over being held, she did pretty good with it last night. We looked at her eye and it is clear, just a little tiny bit of mucus which was probably why it was glued shut. She probably just got dust in it. She is doing better and I can breathe a sigh of relief. If it doesnt return to normal completley in a few days I will take her to a vet, Trying to find one in my area at the moment incase any other accidents arise. I am just so overjoyed that she is ok. Thanks for all of the advice given.

 

[caiti]

Yay good news! I would do what you are doing, just keep a close eye on it. There's a list of good vets in the Health & Hygiene section I think. It's in one of the sections. There might not be one listed close enough to you, though. Googling "veterinarians in [your town]" works too or phone book if you have one.

 

[sunny]

Be on the lookout for others to have the same problem. IF it's an infection, it may spread, even if she recovered. Eye infections can lead to more serious problems quickly. And, DO find a good vet in your area now, before you need one. I lost a dear chin friend yesterday before I could even drive the 1 1/2 hrs to get to the vet! I had to find the vet on-line before I could call, etc. Look NOW! If you're in the Houston area, Dr. Larry White is awesome with all kinds of exotics.