One eye shut?

[newtonia]

Hi everyone
my Spanish ribbed newt has a problem with his left eye - it seems to be squeezed shut. I noticed this phenomenon today for the first time -in both cases it was shortly after I turned on the light. THe eye was actually lower in the head than the healthy one.

After a few minutes, the eye popped back up and looks fine; as far as I can see there is no cloudiness, or sign of external injury in the eye area.
Also, he is lying with his tail curled up, which is very unusual, but I may be over interpreting here.

I'll try to get a picture of him - until then, has anyone maybe had a similar experience or have any advice on what to do?


Thanks so much!

 

[Azhael]

Blinking as an isolated event wouldn´t strike me as odd in any way. However a sustained "blink" always in the same eye for extended periods of time with the possibility of other symptoms, would. If you observe it happening repeteadly it may be time for a vet visit (it could be a number of things).

 

[newtonia]

Thanks, Azhael! I'm trying to find a specialist vet right now (and trying to stay calm, of course...)

I've attached the best photo I could take of the eye - it isn't completely shut in the picture, but it was earlier. And a reference pic of the normal state.

Blinking as an isolated event wouldn´t strike me as odd in any way. However a sustained "blink" always in the same eye for extended periods of time with the possibility of other symptoms, would. If you observe it happening repeteadly it may be time for a vet visit (it could be a number of things).

 

[Azhael]

The eye appears morphologically correct so i would eliminate the possibility of malformation. If it´s persistent it could possibly be neurological and as such, stem from a genetic condition, dietary defficiency, etc. Again, repetition would be the scary part for me.

What´s their diet like? How long have they been with you? We might be able to eliminate possibilities.

 

[newtonia]

THanks for the support.
I have just one newt -( the pictures are of the same individual with the eye in a normal position and when it's closed).
I've had him (or possibly her) for almost a year.
The diet consists mainly of live tubifex worms. I added live red mosquito larvae to the diet two or three months ago. Maybe the larvae are not good for him?
I did a 30% water change in his tank today and will do the same again tomorrow.

I can get a water testing kittomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to check the water parameters tomorrow as well - though I doubt that water parameters would affect the eye in such a way.
Thanks again!

 

[NathanF]

Paramesotriton chinensis

Ambystoma opacum

Hey, I really don't think this is something you need to be stressed about yet. If there is no visible signs of infection and other then the curled tail the newt is acting normal and feeding I think you should just keep a close eye on the animal.

I have an Ambystoma opacum who I posted about not too long ago with similar questions. As it turned out my normal vet down the street was able to point out a number of obvious reasons as to why the my Ambystoma opacum's eye issue was a birth defect. You could clearly see that the eye cavity on the one side stuck out much more prominently above the head than the eye cavity on the other side. He had never been able to open the one eye and even though there is a small slit where an eye is visible the vet was able to give me a list of reasons why this was a birth defect and not another issue.

I have seen identical behaviour in my Paramesotriton chinensis as you are describing in your Spanish Ribbed Newt. When they are sleeping and I open their tank to feed them they will often first open the one eye to watch what I am doing. I have also seen them sleeping with their tails curled and when I have disturbed their tank they again will open just the one eye to watch what is going on. I think this behaviour is similar to what you see in Ameican Alligators who sense something around them and open the one eye to scope things out while the rest of the body is still in a state of rest.

All the best... hope it turns out to be nothing!

 

[newtonia]

Turns out you're right, NathanF - the eye has gone back to normal today. it may have been a minor injury from bumping into something that healed itself

thanks to both of you for helping !