Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I just got a new golden greek tortoise in the mail yesterday. As you know, it is sometimes hard to adequately inspect a tortoise through pictures online. The tortoise looked fine in the pictures, but when he arrived, I noticed that he doesn't open his eyes often, and his eyelids seem to be very light (almost white)and puffy. Other than the eyelids, the tortoise seems healthy. He has no runny nose, he is heavy, and he eats. He is very shy and reclusive though and he will stay in his shell while I hold him or when I come into the room where his cage is. I am assuming that this is either an eye infection, a deficiency of vitamin A, or a lack of sunlight. Is there something I can do to help him with his eyes? Certain foods to feed him or should I get those tortoise eye drops?

Thanks

Sometimes when they first arrive they are dehydrated. The eyes are affected and can be closed or puffy. Try soaking. I just got a new sulcata and have been soaking him once a day. This seems to have helped with his eyes.

Julia

My golden greek's eyes always got puffy when she had internal parasites (usually after being outside all summer) or if there was any humidity. I would have a fecal check done and also make sure it is in a dry area. During rainy weather I had to move her indoors and run a dehumidifier in the room with her.

Thanks for giving me the heads up on humidity. I just got a new baby sulcata and went overboard on the humidity. The substrate was too damp at night and she developed a bubble. Although she is eating great and is very active we are on our way to a 3rd vet(Cornell University Animal Hospital). I've had absolutely no luck in the vet department. I noticed that you are from Rochester, NY. I live in Utica, NY. What vet do you bring yours to???
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Julia
Sulcatas Echo and Tank

I take all my animals to Dr. Wiley of Wiley's Ark, she is Holly NY, its about an hour drive from me but she is the best vet I have found. She is willing to admit when she doesn't know something and calls others (Cornell usually) for help. She graduated from Cornell actually.

Other vets I have used were just stupid. I took my box turtle to a vet several years ago, his eyes all closed up, bubbles coming out of his nose and she told me he looked great. I told her, no he doesn't he has a respitory infection and needs baytril or some kind of antibiotic. Another vet I have used told me an iguana with an abcessed tooth and some ulcers in its mouth was fine and probably wasn't eating because it was old (it was approx. 4 years old). Yet another vet told me there was no need to do fecal exams on captive reptiles because there is no way for them to be exposed to parasites . . . . yeah right. So anyway, I use Dr. Wiley and I am pleased with her. I also like her because she knows I know how to take care of my pets and respects that. The vet I had taken the iguana to had told me I needed to feed it dog food at least twice a week and that I was feeding it wrong. Yikes!

:::::::Thanks for giving me the heads up on humidity. I just got a new baby sulcata and went overboard on the humidity. The substrate was too damp at night and she developed a bubble. Although she is eating great and is very active we are on our way to a 3rd vet(Cornell University Animal Hospital). I've had absolutely no luck in the vet department. I noticed that you are from Rochester, NY. I live in Utica, NY. What vet do you bring yours to???
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Julia
Sulcatas Echo and Tank::::::::::

Thanks for the advice. I've only had him a few days, and I'm starting to see the swelling go down a little. I've been soaking him, feeding him carrots (in small amounts) and keeping his cage dry and warm. The puffiness seems to have gone down, but the skin of his eyelids is still very pale, almost white. It could be partly due to the skin tone of him though. He is an extremely pale golden greek. He's almost patternless. I will also get him checked for worms as soon as I can.