Have been working with ornate and luteola for 15 years now. Sounds like hypervitaminosis. Vitamins are a great start. 3 things should help your dilemma.



First, substrate. Sand covered with cypress mulch was best for me. Keep mulch as damp as it comes in bags at the stores or a little drier.



Next,

Lighting. 5.0 or 7.0 uvb at 15 to 20 inches above top of substrate. Avoid spots as they tend to dry the substrate and the eyes.

If kept outdoors, partial sun. Mine have a misting system on for 30 min daily. Humidity here is 20%. Outdoors mine are most active between 60 and 75 degrees. Indoors to 80 degrees. High heat seems to stress them and compromise immune systems.



Lastly, diet. I supplement cantalope and sweet potato into the diet. 40% of meals . Meats should also be offered, leaner is better. Greens can be offered although the ornates are less likely to eat them than my three-toes. Carrots are good in that they aid in trimming down the beak, although weaker turtles may have trouble getting a good bite.







Although not recommended for mammals, I have rubbed neosporin onto the eyes of the sick ornates and seen amazing results. Redness and swelling dissipate and plugs come out.



I have also had endroflaxin (baytril) administered that acted as a booster to get sick turtles to begin feeding again with no complications.





Hope this info helps.

Kr



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Thank you,

Kevin Rhodes

http://www.freewebs.com/spreptile/hognose.htm

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