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LIke to bring to your attention all-that there seems to me that collards may have a weakness when it comes to eye infections. I have already this month been in touch with 4 different people some on this forum with respect to eye infections. I have found that they can render the animal blind and if not treated early may end up in death. I don't know if anyone out there has seen this or experienced this but I have also sent this out to a few of you as well as some others and have not recieved a response, but I think this is worthy of concern and discussion. Your input would be invaluable, any one have a treatment regimium for an eye infection? Given good husbandry what would you think is the cause of an eye infection, or is this just the weak place that an infection would set in on a collard? My best advice is get him to a vet....Cheers!
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

I don't believe the infection starts in the eyes. I think it typcially starts in the upper respiratory tract and works its way through the sinus. No physiology to back this up, just my opionion. I know I have experienced it this way in one of my males.

Damp conditions, aspirating water into the lungs, too cool of temperatures, possibly dirty environment likely all play their role.

I think we tend to overwater the lizards, or dampen areas too often that pose breeding grounds for bacteria.

Definately sand in the eye can lead to this problem as well. We've all seen a lizard bulge its eyes and drag the eyes acrossed a rock to get debris out. Getting an irritations then dragging the eye across a moist bacteria infested area of a rock or sand could introduce a copious amount of bacteria directly into a cut. Simple remedies if caught early are antibacterial eye ointments like Neo-mycin. The lizards of course need to be on papertowel bedding while being treated as the oil-based meds will get caked with sand. Unfortunately, often the respiratory infection is so advanced the lizard is in too poor of shape to take oral antibiotics such as Baytril. Giving these meds will then creat havoc on the kidneys and lead to the ultimate demise of the lizard.

Just my thoughts,

John E.

For the most part most of the collard lizards I've seen usually don't have a problem expelling a grain of sand from the eye under normal circumstances, but I think you may have something there, as it seems once the eye is in trouble it's not something not to be concerned about. The sinus cavity and then up into the eye makes a lot of sense to me. So you've seen this as well. It would be intersting to get more information or input from others if they have experienced this as well. While I believe my husbandry techniques to be very high, it is very possible the spraying or misting, or even if they run there eyes across a rock where feces have been previously depositied could be a problem. What I am seeing is that if that eye doesn't clear up in a few days you better get him to a vet. When you examine them and there is no sand or debis apparently there but then the eye is closed or the animals keeps rubbing the eye-I think you have a serious issue that needs to be attended right away. In my situation, I have carpet instead of sand, but certianly it is possible for any one of the issues you mentioned to aggrivate or cause the problem. I appreciate your response which seems very insightful, in your case if this is a sinus infection, just treating the eye is not going to resolve the issue. As with mine I did what one would consider to take care of an eye and it got worse even with the meds. I hope others will chime in on this, it would be great to get a consenses from many of us who have collard lizards. Cheers and thanks for your considered input!!!!!!
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

IF one is convinced of the problem being a sinus oir respiratory issue then would injectable baytril be considered a possible treatment if cught before it gets too bad. Obviously these meds do have affects on the kidneys. Any other thoughts on meds!
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

My vet never considered injecting anyting, or taking a blood sample. I know John Castellanos has had injection on some of his lizards for various reasons under the armpit. My vet was not comfortable sticking the little collareds with anything.

JOhn is a real friend and actually has helped me through a couple issues in the past. I aksed the question becuase most of the time they just don't get better without some med.
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]