GliderCENTRAL

Swollen Eye

Posted By: Anonymous

Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 10:22 AM

hi guys our breeding male (skid's suggie dad) isn't feelin too good. About 3 days ago we noticed his eye was swollen, we started washing it out with some saline solution that night and have since then. Giz (skid's suggie mom) had something that looked exactly like it a few months back and when james had nick (his vet friend) check it out he had said it was just a minor irritation and to do the saline wash out once or twice a day. The difference is that blaze's eye looks more swollen than her's did and now were getting worried. We plan on taking him to nick or another vet soon if the situation does't start getting better very soon. The only reason we have't so far is he is being his active self and eating just fine and his eye seems to be more open now then it was. Just looking for any words of wisdom.

here are some pix of him

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/JBirk/DSCN5749.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/JBirk/DSCN5746.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/JBirk/DSCN5744.jpg
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 10:30 AM

From looking at the pictures, it appears that the swelling is in the facial tissue below the eye, not the eye itself. This is indicative of a facial infection that may be an abscess. It definitely needs to be seen by a vet right away. If the vet determines that it IS an abscess, it will need to be lanced for drainage and PLEASE have the vet collect a sample of the drainage fluid and abscess tissue to send out for Culture & Sensitivity (C&S) to determine the specific type of infection and the necessary antibiotic to heal it. Facial abscesses can be a recurrent problem unless a C&S is done. Until C&S results come back from the lab (usually takes 5-7 days), a prophylactic treatment with a broad spectrum antibiotic should be used.
I have been through this exact issue with my Pika and with my Cricky in the past, so please listen to my advice on this as "been there, done that"...
Posted By: hipbchik

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 10:32 AM

That is an abcess in the cheek, and your glider needs to see the vet ASAP so it can be drained and cleaned properly. I had this problem with one of my gliders a long time ago. If left untreated, it can rupture, and your glider will begin swallowing toxins that will cause further harm. Please get this little one to the vet...
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 10:33 AM

Although I don't have any pictures of Cricky before treatment was started, I do have some of him during treatment:




This picture shows the fistula (drainage passage) that formed on its own during treatment:


Hope these help...
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 10:35 AM

I agree with Suz, also having been there-it's facial. If left, however, it could eventually affect the eye. You also need to have the vet check those upper teeth in case one or more is the source of the infection, as with my Lyah. They need to get in the glider's mouth and check each one to see if it moves, as sometimes it's not visible to the eye when it's up inside the gums. I wouldn't wait to schedule the vet, and doubt saline will be of any help.
Posted By: glidrz5

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 12:45 PM

Please get this little one into the vets office. I agree with Suz & Jen, this looks like an abscess and it needs to be lanced and drained. Then the cleaning & meds will be able to work on it. Also abscesses are insideous, tricky boogers. Just when you think they are gone they can come back as nasty as before. That is one reason that having the C&S is so important, because by knowing what bacteria is causing it, you can better prevent it from reoccuring.
Posted By: Jackie_Chans_Mom

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 01:44 PM

Nothin like saying the same thing over and over. BUT, you have been given the very best advice. I concur with everyone so far. Can you tell how many of us have seen this VERY thing?

I am so very sorry that you are now experiencing this. However, I cannot stress enough the need for immediate vet care. Suz, Jen, Chris.... we have all been there - repeatedly, so the need for C&S is not a ligthly thrown out suggestion.

PLease update us after your vet visit.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/05/08 01:57 PM

Again I have to agree with everyone on this. Spike actually died while he had a similar problem. I can't say for sure that it was the cause of his death or not, but it certainly didn't help. Make sure you can get the poor guy to a vet as soon as you can!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/06/08 01:33 AM

Thanks for all this info. I believe you are all right about it being facial. That actually occured to me today at work. We've never had one have swelling like that. We have an appt. tomorrow at 1. Unfortuantly I won't be able to go cause I work, so James is taking him. I'll let you know as soon as I can what is wrong. I'm sure it'll be lanced and drained. Poor Blaze : (
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/06/08 02:31 AM

Don't forget to have them run the culture and sensitivity too!

hug2 hang in there
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/06/08 03:30 AM

Ya I'll def. tell them. I'll also make sure they check in his mouth too.

And thanks : ) at least he's playing and eating. He's got a joey on the way too. I'm expecting to see a tail within the next week or so, so hopefully he'll be all better by the time the little guy (or girl) gets here
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/06/08 09:56 AM

Man, I hate seeing fistulas. They can be treated though!
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/06/08 12:56 PM

I only mention this because I have been THERE, too-occasionally, with facial swelling, there is nothing to get a sample of, because the infection is diffused in the tissue and not a pocket. That happened with Riker. Lyah's had something to drain. IF they can't get a sample they may have to 'shotgun'-or try for the broadest possible spectrum. Baytril, Clavamox, or Clindamycin in combination with Flagyl is what we used on my guys.

Possible side effects if either A-not treated, or B-not treated with the right med...meaning if there isn't significant improvement in a few days on meds-CHANGE THE MEDS, and make SURE the course it for at LEAST 14 to 21 days long....anyway, what CAN happen, is infection going into the eye, rupturing or causing blindness, or the loss of the eye, infection going down into the neck or up in the head or bony structures (where it has the potential to attack the brain) or going systemic (fatal). I know you're getting treatment, just tossing that out there for newer people, etc. Those are just some of the reasons why the right meds are important, and so is the length of treatment.

Waiting on an update.
Posted By: MatchMakerMagic

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/06/08 11:03 PM

Any update on this little one?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/07/08 01:51 AM

Hey there, yep I got an update. You were all right- the vet saw Blaze today and it is definately an abcess of the face. We're taking him back in on friday morning for further examination. He said it could have been caused by a clogged tear duct and that the drained fluid will be sent to the lab
Posted By: pappy1264

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/07/08 02:05 AM

Did they send home antibiotics? Prayers continue. Let us know when you know more.
Posted By: MatchMakerMagic

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/07/08 02:10 AM

Im glad to hear it was drained and the fluid will be cultured. It will be much easier to treat once you know what your up against.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/07/08 03:29 AM

yes they did. i dunno what they are cause he's with James right now and I haven't seen him since yesterday, but i'll let you know once i do : )

thanks for all the advice and support
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/08/08 06:10 PM

ok complete update- when we were at the vet they thought it might be cancerous since abcess usually rupture once they get that big, so they put blaze under and lanced it and it was just pussy. They said when they pushed on it it actually started to come out his poor little eye. Anywho, it was caused from one of his teeth and he's now on Baytril twice a day for 21 days and should be just fine : D so glad it's not cancerous
Posted By: pappy1264

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/08/08 06:14 PM

That is good news!! Prayers continue!
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/08/08 06:15 PM

That is great news. Hopefully things will start to get back to normal for your little one.
Thank you for the update!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/10/08 11:36 PM

Any update on this little one?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 08/12/08 03:49 AM

Here are pics of his eye after the treatment. It is looking tons better and he hasn't given us any issues when we give him his meds. He's being such a good boy. He gets half of a treat after he takes his meds : D

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/JBirk/DSCN5771.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/JBirk/DSCN5773.jpg
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/07/08 02:53 AM

well, blaze finished his meds last week and it swelled back up again, but this time it was a little lower on his cheek. we took him in today and the vet releaved some of the pressure by pinchin it and getting some of the puss out. poor blaze was crying and it was so sad to hear. i hated it. we are bringing him back in early monday morning and they are gonna take some x rays and put him under again and probably pull the tooth and make sure there's no bone damage. if it doesn't get better then, he said something about periodic medicine treatments. i wish they had checked the tooth thing the last time he was under : ( poor guy
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/07/08 03:04 AM

~~hugs~~ im sorry your little guy and you are having to go through this. Im sure your vet will have him back to normal in notime~
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/08/08 06:21 AM

thanks, i hope so. his surgery is in a few hours, so i'll post how it goes tomorrow afternoon
Posted By: SugareeErin

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/08/08 06:59 AM

hug2 Good luck! I hope everything goes okay in surgery!
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/08/08 07:01 AM

I will be sending Blaze lots of hugs and prayers. I'm so sorry that this is happening to him. Many hugs to you too. hug2
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/08/08 09:55 AM

Jordan,
This is very important: Make SURE they send out a tissue and/or fluid sample for Culture & Sensitivity. If they don't find out the specific antibiotic needed to take care of the specific type of infection, the infections will continue to recur worried I really can't stress this enough! Please ask them about it. He will need to be off of antibiotics for at least 3 days before they can take a sample for a C&S.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/09/08 08:13 AM

Ok so they were wrong about it being an abcess of the tooth. turns out in was in infection in the zygomatic arch, which is the cheek bone. They drained the fluid and put him on meds again and depending on how he reacts to the treatment, he may have to be on meds periodically for a long time.



Originally Posted By: sugarglidersuz
Jordan,
This is very important: Make SURE they send out a tissue and/or fluid sample for Culture & Sensitivity. If they don't find out the specific antibiotic needed to take care of the specific type of infection, the infections will continue to recur worried I really can't stress this enough! Please ask them about it. He will need to be off of antibiotics for at least 3 days before they can take a sample for a C&S.


Unfortunately, I didn't read this til tonight, after his surgery, so we didn't even think to ask. We were just going along with what the vet was saying. I don't think they could have done it since he put blaze on meds over the weekend and you said he had to be off of it for 3 days. They got him in the soonest they could, so I was under the impression they didn't want to put it off. But, I will talk to the vet and see if he sent the sample off just in case he did...
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen Eye - 09/09/08 10:24 AM

Jordan, since he was on meds over the weekend then there would be no point in sending a sample off at this time. IF there's a recurrence (and I really hope there won't be) then insist on a C&S next time. It's really very important. I went through this with both my Cricky & my Pika, so I know what you're going through hug2
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