Busted Tear Duct?

[Laurenk]

Hi guys, I was wondering, Cocoa sneezes a lot, but that isn't what is concerning me. Sometimes, when she sneezes, her right eye will get a little bubble of saliva like liquid. I have wiped it off her face before, and it feels like water. It has never happened to her left eye, and she breathes clearly, so I'm wondering, could she have an injured tear duct? If so, is that something that I need to be worried about? She is on carefresh bedding, but I will be changing soon due to the dust. Her warm side temp is about 100 degrees, and her cool side is about 70-75 degrees, if that helps.

[El Lobo]

Nasolacrimal ducts in particular can be prone to blockage but are able to be flushed by a competent vet.

[Laurenk]

Thanks for the advice. I won't be able to get her to the vet for about 2-3 weeks (maternity leave), should she be okay until then?

[Fatal_S]

Bubbles in the eye also occur with respiratory infections. Sneezing, bubbles, nasal discharge, and crackly breathing are all signs, but not all signs may be noticeable. I would say this is the most likely problem. Sneezing and bubbles are usually the first sign.

[Susann]

Amen to Fatal's statement! I've just been through the same thing. My little #2 baby wasn't bouncing back like the others with the inflamed feet of the "mystery illness", and I was keeping a close eye on him. His breathing has always been a little more strained because of nostril issues, but when I saw bubbles from one of his eyes it was a case of no hesitation, in the car we go to the vet's office. Suspected URI and on Baytril.

I don't want to scare you, but URI can go downhill quickly. If he gets any worse I would probably advice you to not wait and find another vet
Let's hope for the best though

[Laurenk]

My dad said he can't drive me any further than an hour away so, what if I can't find one quickly?

[Susann]

My dad said he can't drive me any further than an hour away so, what if I can't find one quickly?

Start searching the net for any vets within that hour drive that your dad is willing to do. Then start calling and ask if they can see a BTS with possible upper respiratory infection.

[Lea]

Find a specialist, make a phone all and ask them to consult someone closer to you to advise on appropriate medications or treatment. Most specialists should understand it's not always possible to have a face to face consult and should be happy to advise.

[Laurenk]

My dad said he can't drive me any further than an hour away so, what if I can't find one quickly?

Start searching the net for any vets within that hour drive that your dad is willing to do. Then start calling and ask if they can see a BTS with possible upper respiratory infection.

There are hundreds of vets around me, I just don't think they'll be able to help. She hasn't stopped sneezing completely, but not as much as before. do you think the dust from the carefresh could be making her sneeze?

[Susann]

Absolutely that could be the reason for the sneezing, but it's the bubbles from the eye that are much more concerning. They normally sneeze several times a day, but bubbles from the eye are not normal at all.

LeaBilby has an excellent point though about contacting a reptile specialist who could assist a "regular" veterinarian closer to you. It's worth a try in my opinion.

[Laurenk]

The reason I think it might be a damaged tear duct is that it is STRICTLY the right eye that bubbles, never the left, or the nose.

[Bluish]

The reason I think it might be a damaged tear duct is that it is STRICTLY the right eye that bubbles, never the left, or the nose.

Quite often when they have an r.i. it starts on one side. Bubbling through the eye or mouth are the usual places not the nose.
I've had this happen with a few species over the years, never taken one to the vet and never lost an animal from it. I've only had it happen in wild caught animals, not c.b. The key is to IMMEDIATELY alter it's environment to whatever the species needs. One thing that seems to trigger it in one of my Meraukes is if the night time temps are too warm for her. If the night temps are above 74F for an extended period of time she doesn't like it.

If you can't correct the situation quickly or it starts getting worse you should definitely see a vet. We both live in southern Ontario and finding a vet that truly knows how to deal with reptiles without making the situation worse while simultaneously draining your wallet is no easy feat. It seems that board members in other countries have better access to reptile vets.

[Lea]

Deep breath ... really, even if your vet is a little below par and you say they are literally 100's in your area, is that a good excuse not to seek veterinary help when your pet needs it? Even a bad vet will save his reputation by treating an animal and if you go with some knowledge from a phone consult to another vet, they will likely give you the respect, enough so to deliver good care to your skink. I know there are some shockers, but it's the same for people doctors. I work with them and that is very, very true. But it wouldn't stop me trying to get help if a family member needs it. Surely our pets deserve that same respect and love and get taken to a vet if necessary.

We can suppose and give advice, much of which may turn out to be very accurate, but we can not and do not replace professional help.

If there really are 100's of vets around you, there are likely to be at least few that care enough to treat your skink. Stop making excuses and make an appointment. If your pet dies and you sought no vet help at all, I'm sure you'll feel a heck of a lot worse than if you at least try and take it to a vet. Any treatment is likely to be better than none at all.

I am not targeting the OP, this is meant generally for all our site users.

[Laurenk]

You don't think I'm trying? I'm not allowed to make an appointment myself (not 16 yet), and my dad is making one tomorrow morning. Again, it's not easy when you can't drive and you have to go by someone else's time schedule, I'm trying, and not to let her die... I'm making an appointment as fast as possible!

I feel like I'm going to explode.

[Fatal_S]

Having a sick pet is a terrible feeling. I worried myself sick over my stupid dog recently (as in I really made myself quite ill). It was really serious, so the worry was well-founded, but thankfully the vet figured it out and she's home again bouncing around and stealing food

Try not to freak too much. If you're doing what you can to get the animal help, feel good. Thankfully RIs are usually easy to defeat with good treatments The other thing to do while waiting is to make sure the tank is in top-shape. If your setup is drafty and cold for example, the medicine won't be able to keep the skink healthy indefinitely. Check and re-check everything, then take a deep breath and think positive thoughts.

[Laurenk]

It annoys me so much, I keep saying how anxious I am to make an appointment and my dad keeps saying "Oh, she's fine, stop worrying." Or " She doesn't have a respiratory infection." Luckily we're making an appointment tomorrow. Any advice for maintaining the health of a Merauke until I can take her in?