Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Mom of baby Egyptian Uro Silver here-

When I got him just over a week ago I fell in love with his eyes, they are a beautiful amber color.

Now, his pupils are always dilated and/or half closed (or all the way closed as he rests a lot).

I aksed this question to one of the experts on allexperts.com and she said this was likely due to the fact that the UV bulb I was sold is a coil bulb--she said these could damage their eyes and maybe even cause neurological damage and the safest UV's are the long flourescent bulbs (I think that is what she said) and to never use a coil.

I have a reptile basking lamp, 100 watts to use in the day time, and one of those red lights, 75 watt to switch to at night when the tank doesn't need to be as warm.

I want to know if the general consensus agrees with this expert-what she said seemed to make sense. At any rate I switched off the coil bulb earlier today when I received her reply. I miss being able to see Silver's beautiful amber eyes and I am hoping beyond hope I haven't caused irreparable damage to his eyes out of my sheer ignorance.

I am trying!

Any thoughts you have will help greatly.

Thanks!

There is a chance of the coil being the problem. Here's some more information on that:
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

Read the "special report" sections and see if the bulb you have is one on the list and if your uro's symptoms seem to match what is mentioned there.

There's also the chance (and probably more likely) that something else is going on. You don't mention the size of your tank (in inches) or the temperatures - basking, warm side, and cool side. Measure those with a reliable digital or IR thermometer. If something's a little off in his caging, that could explain the resting with eyes closed. He could also have parasites - has he had a vet check yet? Did he have a fecal sample run? You've only had him a week, so he's dealing with acclimation stress as well.

Check out that link, then give us an update with more information on his housing and history - we can help you figure out what's wrong.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Thank you so much.

His enclosure is too small, I am getting a bigger one this week.

I will check out that link.

I am going to order the digital thermometers, one for warmer side one for the cooler side.

I think the temps are ok but maybe basking light is too close as the tank is not that high.

I am sure he is acclimating--but mostly he is relaxed, loves being held, stroked on head and back, etc.

I will have it all more together by the end of this week. And I do need to have him checked by a vet, but I am afraid to keep him out of the heat for that long in the Chicago winter--will have to take a cab and carry him in his little carrying case, etc. Any hints on how to keep him warm during such a trip?

Thanks!

You can get those little hand warmer packs and wrap one in a towel to keep in his carry box with him.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Ah that is a great idea.

are those the same as those cloth covered rice packs that you heat in the microwave, that can be used as a heating pad?

Anyway I am sure I will find something like this soon.

Thanks!

You can get the handwarmer packs just about anywhere, like Target, Walmart, or sporting good stores. I use them to transport my Uros to the vet, and I also use them during power outages. They work great for keeping the heat up for a while

Andi

Ok--thank you!

I will look for those asap!

Found a nearby vet too specializing in exotics.

Getting more and more settled in with the new baby.

baby uros also love to snuggle up to your chest under your shirt collar. they draw heat off your body warmth.. but the tail gets spikey after a while..

ok i know you'll think i'm wierd but it's true ..aww..

love the instant hand warmer idea... those don't get above 110 do they? I've never had em before..
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4.1 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
(Papa Kunja and Uri have recently passed..we love you)

Thank you for your advice!

Holy crap... I have a baby egyptian too!! and many beardies..

I've been to multiple "exotic" vets about this problem my lizards have had for MONTHS and one told me it was nothing just eye irritation b/c I have them on sand! I'm so glad now I know that the UV bulb is too close. I have got the info in the reptisun package but I haven't measured it exactly,... just eyeballed the distance so It's probably wrong. I feel better now I know what the cause is.

My last exotics vet...i go to multiple ones b/c they never seem to know what to do my guys always stump them... he gave me a antibiotic eye ointment that I used and his eyes have gotten better but I think it's just b/c he's been keeping his eyes shut.. it said in the report when the lizard shuts their eyes the conjuncitivitis will naturally heal. I can't believe I just spent $150 on that visit and the vet didn't even KNOW what was wrong!! But I didn't care, I just wanted my boys to get better, they are very well loved. This eye thing was just discovered then jeez.. Funny it is called "photo-kerato-conjunctivitis" b/c I had described it to my vet as looking "like conjunctivitis." Does anyone know if it can spread like human conj. or if it's only caused by the UV light? If the light causes it I wouldn't think it could spread by touch.
Plus I just bought 6 brand new reptisun bulbs about 6 mo. ago and thats when this started so i had the lights too close. It all makes sense now.

wow,

kristen
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4.1 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
(Papa Kunja and Uri have recently passed..we love you)

Thank you for your advice!