Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I rescued a 2 1/2 ft water monitor yesturday. The animal was not very well taken care of. He is an absolutly gorgous animal. He is on the thin side. He was fed earlier in the day and fed like he has not been fed in weeks. He has one slight issue that I am not quite sure what to do. He has been keeping one eye closed on and off. I have have been soaking him trying to clean it out. He is very active, shows all the signs of a healthy monitor, besides being thin. When I woke up this morning he was wide awake and keeeping his eye open. When I came home from work he had busted out of the temperary tupperware where he was being kept and found him sleeping in my closet. When I woke him up to put him back he was keeping the eye closed . I am curently soaking him again and he is going back and forth between open and closed. Any ideas? I have been raising waters for years , and have not encountered this problem. Any help would greatly be apprecaited.

When the eye is open, do you see any cloudiness? Also, is there any pus or discharge coming from it? If the animal wasn't very well cared for there is a chance that it could be infected. I've seen mistreated Bearded Dragons with eye problems from crickets munching on them.. As far as what to do? I would take it to a vet to get it checked out. My girlfriends cat lost an eye because the previous owner didn't treat an eye infection...I know a cat and a monitor are slightly different.. but you get what I'm saying right? Good luck.

Joe

You might want to see a vet to verify there isn't some sort of eye infection. They are fairly easy to treat.

But, I have found keeping eyes closed to be very indicitave of chronic stress levels and/or sickness. Since it is a "rescue", it may be important to get a full checkover by a qualified vet.

While soaking may be a good idea, make sure it has adequate humidity during the times it isn't being soaked.

Good Luck,

--Robert