Eye seeping...blood?

[moonlightgdess]

First off, I'm likely going to take him to the vet anyway.

But, one of my bigger breeder males has been having a leaky eye and when I rubbed it, thinking it was just tears, my finger was darkish red. How on earth is his eye leaking blood?? He's in a tub with a female, and there's no signs of fighting. He's got a tiny scab on his jaw but the two snuggle together and have been for months. Suggestions?

[LotusCorvus]

Porphyrin staining. Their snot/mucus is just red. Could just be agitated by dust, he could be having a myco flare-up. A vet trip couldn't hurt but it's likely nothing big.

[Michelle.C]

The red tears are porphyrin, it is not blood. Although it can idicate possible problems such as; respiratory infections, myco flare ups, dusty bedding, stress, allergy issues or even something stuck in their eye. If he is otherwise healthy, I wouldn't be too concerned.

http://www.ratbehavior.org/WhatIsMyR....htm#Porphyrin

[moonlightgdess]

Well his nose is clear, mouth looks good, and with the exception of that small scab his fur looks good. I separated him for now anyway.

[wolfy-hound]

Listen to his breathing too. If you hear teeeny noises when he breaths, he may have a RI or myco flare up.

He might have gotten rubbed/scratched just wrestling with his friend too.