Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Help. I just acquired 4 2-year-old California Desert Torts. Two have obvious eye problems which are very different. Sorry I don't have pics.

The first has one eye mostly covered with a pink growth of some sort. I tried some anti-biotics and no change. It has some mass to it and isn't just a film.

Problem 2 (different tort): This one is weird. Occasionally will get a blood-red thing on its eyes. It looks like a blister of sorts like it could pop. Very nasty looking. In a few minutes it will actually go away. Mostly one eye, but the other can get it, too. I have a vet appt for the weekend, but anyone seen these before?

The torts were fed romaine and had 5.0 UV light and no real sun. I'm fixing that, but any idea about the eyes?

hopefully one of the vets or other medically experienced folks will post info. You really should consider seeing an experienced herp vet. The 2nd condition sounds scary, I once saw a desert tortoise with a really destructive herpes infection, I hope your animals don't have it. Keep them isolated from other tortoises in the mean time. Let us know what you learn. A healthy tortoise is a great joy, and I hope you can get them on the right track. good luck,Vic

Both of these guys have third eyelid infections or so the $200 vet said. Like real doctors, I always feel they are guessing and going with the obvious.

She got the eyes bulging though, but they were more pink than blood red. They got anti-biotic shots and I got anti-biotic drops. When I put the drops in the "red" eyed one, they really bulge again -- not sure if it is an irritant or what. The pink problem might be a little better - hard to tell.

I'll keep putting in drops for 8-10 more days and see what happens. Nothing is happening fast so I hope it goes away.