Blood from eye

[stephany702]

Hello,
I have a 1 year old Sulcata and when he poops sometimes it looks like a blood vessel is coming out of his eye for a quick second. Like he is straining or something. I feed him main grass (Orchard, Timothy, Burmuda) with a little Dandilion Greens and sometimes I give him Cactus Pads. He usually poops and pees when I give him a bath and he doesn't seem like he is in pain, but I am very worried. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does it scares me. Like what the vessel pops or something. Has anyone else experienced this or have any idea why this happens?

Thanks,
Stephany

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Stephany:

That's his nictitating membrane, or third eyelid. It shouldn't be happening. When you see this, it usually is caused by stress, however in your case, it doesn't sound like that is the cause.

Maybe try offering him more wet greens and cut back a bit on the dry hay. Do you have a waterer in his habitat?