Dirt in Eye??? Should I go to the Vet?

chrispaine · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-2006, 09:57 PM

Alright well I have had my argusXflavi for around 6 month now. He was in a 30g tank for awhile while I was building a large cage for him... I just picked up some new dirt mix yesterday for the new cage and he spent his first night in it last night.

-I just have a few questions about the dirt. First of all and most important is his eye. When I came home from work today his eye looks like the skin that when they blink was kind of open over his eye a little. I cant see any dirt in his eye but somthing has to be making it like that. I know they love to dig and I want to keep him on the soil but I dont want him to get all kinds of crap in his eye all the time from it. Do you think I should take him to a vet and see what they say? Or should at wait a few days as see if goes away? Also When he goes for cricket he gets some dirt in his mouth. I know a little dirt isnt going to kill him but i dont want it to get him all impacted from eating alot of it. Should I feed him out of the dirt?

My main concern right now is the eye, has anyone else ever seen anything like that... sorry I can't explain it better but I think you can get what I mean. Not his eye lid that he closes when he goes to sleep but the thing that they just blink with (I wish I knew what it was called so I dont sound stupid). I can try to get a picture if anyone might think they would know what is going on.

Thanks... Chris.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #2 (**permalink**) 01-16-2006, 10:12 PM

I can only help you about him eating the dirt. As long as the basking temps are up where they should be he shouldn't have a problem with the dirt. My sav eats dirt quite a bit with her crickets or ger rodents. She has not had a problem yet. I will try to help about his eye. If I were you I would give him a bath and hopefully it will help his eye.

Dachande · #3 (**permalink**) 01-16-2006, 11:50 PM

it may help to soak it, but naturally in the wild they're gonna get stuff in it.and there's no one to help.wait a day or 2 if you want, or fill up the tub.good soaking never hurts.
mine gets dirt in her nose most of the time.she's an argus as well.never have any trouble.
Pork Chops N' Corn Bread is right about the temps.my surface temps (taken w/ a temp gun) are 125-130F.she ate 4 adult mice yesterday and it doesn't show.mostly because of 3 eggs i found in a burrow.so i have to up the next feeding to 6.her metabolism has shot up.and argus are known for being voracious eaters.

chrispaine · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2006, 10:43 AM

Ya, I did try to soak him.. but he just likes to swim around and keep his head above water. But it did kind-of seem to help. I tired to use a q-tip and help get it out but he didint like that at all. My guess is thats what the vet would do also. He just tried to bite the q-tip. I did get a little out but some is still there. I didnt want to keep bothering him. Any other ideas? I am just going to see what happens in a day or two. Thanks.

Dachande · #5 (**permalink**) 01-18-2006, 01:10 AM

let him sit a few days.then try soaking again.maybe lightly pour water over his head.but give it a day or 2.
i'm sure it happens to mine, i just never see it.she's been nesting so she's moved 200lbs of dirt around the cage for the past week.i'm sure it's happened, but they have a way of getting by it.or else they wouldn't be such aggressive diggers.

chrispaine · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dachande

let him sit a few days.then try soaking again.maybe lightly pour water over his head.but give it a day or 2.
i'm sure it happens to mine, i just never see it.she's been nesting so she's moved 200lbs of dirt around the cage for the past week.i'm sure it's happened, but they have a way of getting by it.or else they wouldn't be such aggressive diggers.

Ya.... they are know for getting dirty... so I will give it awhile it looks better today so we will see.. thanks for the replys and help man.

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