>I'm writing to find out if my gerbal has a cold in his eye! I noticed
>a few days ago, some dry redish crust in the corner of his eye. Ive
>left him alone because I thought he might have scratched his eye.
>But since, his eyelid looks a bit lazy, and it looks like the hair has
>come off his eyelid as well. Does he possibly have like a cold in
>his eye?? If so, whats the best thing to do for him?? Thanks!
>
>Dan Lawson
"Sticky Eye" can have several causes. He could have injured it,
or the lid (scratch) and it is irritated and that is causing him to
scratch at it or rub it on something, and causing the hair loss.
There is no such thing as a 'location cold'. If the animal has a
cold, it will have discharge from the nose, a clicking sound as
it breathes from congestion, and usually both eyes get crusted.
Gentle washing with a clean cloth wetted with warm water usually
will soften and remove crusts.
It could be something is in the eye yet, causing it to be gummy.
A gentle cleaning may be all that your gerbil needs. If there
seems to be puffiness or fiery redness or pus (whitish, light
yellowish, or greenish yellow) discharge, then you should
take the animal to a vet for treatment. Right away.
It could be that something in the cage is causing irritation
(beddng or dust or hulls from the feed).
Examine the animal closely for any sign of the other eye matting
or any discharge from the nose or a clicking noise when it breathes.
If that is going on, take it to the vet.
Good luck.
Deb
Rebel's Rodent Ranch
