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Swollen eye and redness

Posted By: Anonymous

Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 01:17 AM

I came home from work today and was switching the boys' pouch as I usually do on Monday's. I usually take one of them out with me while I'm doing it as well. Today I took my 9 year old Spike out. While putting in the clean pouch I noticed that his right eye was swollen at the top and red was showing where our tear ducts are (by the nose). What's wrong with my old man? confused I kept him out for awhile and just kept petting him. He seemed to be acting normal and running around on me, but he looks pretty awful with half of his face looking swollen cry Anyone have any suggestions or at least an idea of what might be wrong or caused this?
Posted By: BeckiT

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 01:20 AM

It could be anything from an infection to a scratch. Being so close to the eye, a vet visit would be your best bet to make sure it isn't anything major and to get meds if needed wink
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 11:51 AM

Definitely get him to a vet for treatment. Most likely scenario is that there is a facial abscess causing the eye to protrude from the socket.
If the vet determines that it IS an abscess, then he/she needs to try to get a tissue/fluid sample from the abscess to send out for Culture & Sensitivity (C&S). C&S is very important in treating a facial abscess! Without one, the vet has to guess which antibiotic to prescribe and although it may clear up the infection temporarily, the infection usually will recur until a C&S can be done and the specific infection and antibiotic to treat it can be determined. In the meantime, while waiting for the C&S results to come back, a broad spectrum antibiotic should be prescribed.
Please keep us posted on your little one's progress. If you need help finding a vet, please let us know... You can check the GC Vet Database, but if you don't find one in your area, we can help try to find one for you...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 12:45 PM

Thanks for the info Becki and Suz! The poor little guy looks so helpless frown I've been unable to find a vet here so far, but I'm still looking around. There's one I've found that deals mostly with small animals and I'm hoping to get in contact with them today to see how if they have a sugar glider knowledgeable vet. If you happy to know any in the Albany area I'd really appreciate it (you'd think being the capital of NY I'd be able to find one...).
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 01:14 PM

If you can find any Vet who will look at his eye would be better than waiting. Eye infections are typical in animals. The only draw back for a sugar glider would to be able to know the proper treatment and medication dosage. Here are a couple of Vets who are more than willing to do phone consultations. Maybe this will help speed things up for you.

Dr.Tim Tristan at 361-994-1145 – Peggy Brewers Vet

Dr. Teresa Bradley at 816-331-3120. She'll do consults during clinic hours. (You can see the clinic hours at the bottom of the page here: Belton Animal Clinic )

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 01:23 PM

Oh I do hope this little guy gets the help he needs ASAP! I'm praying for that eye and you too! Hang in there! smile hug2
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 05:31 PM

Boy it really hurts calling vets and asking if there's a vet there that would be willing to see him and get a "no" as a response frown Who could say no to these cute guys?
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 05:51 PM

I found a vet in Saratoga Springs, NY who does accept/treat sugar gliders! It's about 40 minutes away from Albany, but that may be your best option at this point in time...
Dr. Lucas
415 Maple Ave.
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518)583-0609
hug2
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 06:01 PM

Wow that's a lot closer than anything I've found! Thanks again Suz!
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 06:06 PM

You're very welcome! hug2 Please keep us posted on his progress...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 07:08 PM

Well they're busy until Thursday evening. I took that appointment and will post here again I guess when I get some news.
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 07:13 PM

Brian, If that's the soonest they can get you in, then just keep a close watch on his swelling. If it is an abscess, it may form a fistula and start draining on its own. In that case, a C&S will be out of the question, but a broad-spectrum antibiotic can still be prescribed. If you notice the eye margins getting crusty, you can use a warm compress to soak it and then remove the residue by gently wiping the area with a wet cloth.
Thanks for the update hug2
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/10/08 07:59 PM

Just wondering if this could happen... Is it possible that it swells too much and that can't close his eye? I assume that would mean the eye drying out and that probably wouldn't be too good for the poor guy. Is there something I should be doing to make sure that his eye stays moist?
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/11/08 12:30 AM

Brian,
Is he not shutting his eye at all? Even when my Pika's eye was severely swollen, she could still close it. If he can't close it at all, then you need to call the vet's office back and insist that it's an emergency and try to get him in sooner. In the meantime, you can put a drop or two of sterile saline solution on his eye periodically.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/11/08 03:22 AM

I'm pretty sure his eye is gone at this point. It looks dry and crusted over, nothing like his other eye cry I had him with me all day today at work and I don't know for sure if he can shut it or not. The good news is that he doesn't seem bothered by it at all and he's not picking at it or clawing it at all.

He is 9 years old and I did want to get him out of the rescue before his health started going bad. I just thought it would last longer than this. I'm also wondering if he would've been better off at the rescue, at least they probably could've gotten him to a vet... Don't mind my guilt trips, I do this to myself when I'm stressed and sad. need_hug
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/11/08 04:01 AM

hug2 hugs and prayers to you and spike. i hope all will go well.
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/11/08 10:20 AM

Brian,
Please call the vet's office back this morning and tell them that the eye, itself, appears to be getting dry and crusty. Tell them it's an emergency and he needs to be seen right away! If they still say that they can't get him in until Thursday evening, then ask if they can recommend an emergency vet that may be able to see him sooner. Be persistent! If they still won't help, then insist on leaving a message for the VET to call you back ASAP - then call back every hour until the vet returns your call. Please don't passively accept their putting you off - your little man is depending on you to get treatment for him heart
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/12/08 03:03 AM

Has spike seen a vet? Just waiting for an update.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/12/08 12:39 PM

Unfortunately no... The vet I was going to take him to doesn't work on Wednesdays so when I called to get him rushed in, they obviously said no. I have an appointment today but I think Spike is getting ready to cross the bridge so to speak. He pretty much just stays curled up in a ball trying to sleep all the time. I'm going today expecting to hear the worst, and hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/12/08 02:15 PM

Well Spike just convulsed a couple times and then stopped breathing while he was in my hand. cry I'm sorry to say Spike is gone, but at least he's in a better place and no longer in pain. heart
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/12/08 02:32 PM

hug2 I am so sorry for your loss of Spike. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers. God speed sweet little one. gangel
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/12/08 07:18 PM

Oh my God how i understand You:( Sending you lots of hugs too
Posted By: kthiessen

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/12/08 11:10 PM

I'm so sorry. hug2
Posted By: sweetReaper

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/13/08 03:58 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of hugs and prayers your way hug2
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/13/08 12:49 PM

Oh no, Brian! I just saw this and am in shock cry I'm so very, very sorry hug2 hug2 hug2
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/13/08 01:24 PM

Thanks everyone for the support and hugs, they're VERY appreciated!

Now I'm afraid my other gliders are sick of me since I was paying so much attention to them last night smile

On the bright side, Spike lived a good 9 years, and there must have been something else wrong with him as well since he went downhill so fast. I just keep telling myself he's in a better place and no longer in any pain.

My other boys were barking a lot last night, I'm pretty sure they were missing him too.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/15/08 01:46 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories of him comfort you in the days to come.
Posted By: sugarlope

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/15/08 03:01 PM

hug2 I'm so sorry for your loss hug2
Posted By: pappy1264

Re: Swollen eye and redness - 06/15/08 07:03 PM

I am very sorry for your loss. God bless and Godspeed.
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