Chameleon with dameaged eyes!

[Wolf777]

Hi guys, a flapneck chameleon got brought to me today, it's already lost one eye and was bleeding out of the other one, there is no other visible damage. Im guessing maybe a bird or something pecked at it's eyes? Any help on what to do would be appreciated.

[Scavenger]

It was most probably a bird, if you search the indigenous chameleon thread you will see a picture of one that I had found. Both eyes were really swollen and the skin on the face was discoloured. Fortunately for me one eye was open thus I was able to feed the chameleon I just put some bactroban on the the damaged scales (not near the eyes) and managed to get the swelling down till eventually both eyes were open and released the little girl close to where we found her. Possibly post pics so we can see the extent of the damage? but it doesn't sound to good if one eye is damaged as it definitely won't survive with only being able to use one eye.

[Wolf777]

One eye is definetely not going to heal, the whole part of the eye was out of it's socket at the back where the retina is, but the kornea and iris looks like their still in place. I will try to get pics later.

[Wolf777]

Guys this poor chameleon is in pain, we don't have a vet nearby so will gassing it like I do with my mice work if it comes to that?

[Bushviper]

Wolf with reptiles they dont seem to feel pain the same way we do. If it is contorting or twisting around then smack it on the head with a brick (hard as you can) and crush the skull and brain in one quick movement. Gas does not work effectively on reptiles.

[Wolf777]

Ok thanks Bv, well it's acting just like a normal chameleon except it's blind and keeps on bumping things. There is a piece of the badly damaged eye that is "hanging" out at the back but all the fluid or "jelly" is out so it's basically a small empty piece thats sticking out. Should I clean it and push it back or should I maybe cut it of and dissinfect the wound? I am willing to take care of a blind chameleon but I just can't see it not going through pain at the moment, should I put it out of it's misery?

[Bushviper]

If it is completely blind it will never adapt. In that case rather knock it off. If you can save one eye it can live a long and happy life. Clean anything that is hanging out and see if it can be withdrawn back into the socket.

[Wolf777]

Ok thanks Bv.