Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My adult, 17 years old, Yacare caiman has a problem with her right eye. On the rare occassion that she opens it it is milky or foggy. If she were human it would look like a cataract.
Their is no obvious injury. Left eye is fine.
Anyone seen anything like this?
Thanks
Danny Conner

We have a Chinese alligator at my buddy's zoo that has a bent spine and a milky eye hes been like that for years he was a gift to the zoo, but he still eats like a champ. How long has yours had that prob?

We run into a lot of deformities and problems with animals we take in. Anything from horrendously malnurished animals to animals held in the wrong conditions and it deforming them.

You need to find a good vet who can handle reptiles and diagnose/treat the problem.

A vet is the best but its just hard to get one who really knows anything about crocs. I had a gator that had a bad fight with a nasty female and had his leg busted bad, I called vets and zoos from the north coast to the south and racked up a high phone bill no one could really help me I just got some advise from vets and zoos, His leg got better over time he never even stopped eating gos to show you how incredible these guys are. Good luck and dont stop asking questions

I got her in '94 she was a yearling. The problem just started this winter maybe a month ago.
Thanks
D.C.

94 thats great you have had her that long. Sometimes they get injuries you never see. My friend that owns a small zoo has had the same vet for over 10 years so he must be good if you want to call and just ask what he thinks, his # is(978)486-3101 Dr William Sager. I know how stressful it can be so hope this helps. Hugo B

np

17 years is still very young, they can get a cataract at that age but it's what I would consider a young animal for that but of course that doesn't rule it out.

I had a spec with a similiar problem once. It occurred in the winter and went away on it's own when spring and high temps arrived. It was a whitish film that covered the eye. My guess was a bacterial infection that the caimans immune system was having a difficult time with due to cool temps. Once the immune system reached an optimum temperature it beat it back.

JMHO
-----
CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

That's what I think to. This winter has just been extra cold and she is pissed.
My electric bill said that avg. temp last year was 56. This year 47. 9 degrees makes a big differance.
The 2 specs with her are okay. It is only bothering the 1 eye.
And she still hauls out to bask on nice days, like today.
I'm hoping she'll be fine once spring finally gets here.
My pear tree thinks it's coming but it was fooled last year.
Danny