Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK,

I read a few sites online and have come to the conclusion that my redfoot's swollen eye membranes are the start of lack of Vit. A deficiency.

So...I have increased the warmth temperature of his terranium as well as gave him carrot pieces & sprinkled the calcium powder on top. I also put some cod liver oil in his water dish.

I was reading that a simple fix to this infection is Tetra's Turtle Eye Clear, which I used to have years ago. Anyway, I believe this product has become obsolete (Petco didn't have it anymore).

So, I found the closest thing...Fluker's Liquid Vitamin. It is a spray bottle and the label reads: Contains the essential nutrient Beta Carotene, which reptiles convert to vitamin A as needed.

I decided to squirt this is his water and also directly into his eyes. I am hoping I will have positive results by the end of this week as I do not want to see the swollen membranes get worse.

I'd appreciate any comments and/or advice.

Thanks!

I really would not rec. putting anything in the eye that is not labled for the eye. Especially an oral vitamin supplement!! The Reptomin Eye Clear was a weak antibiotic solution with boric acid it does NOTHING to treat the underlying disorder which is a vitamin deficiency. If it has progressed to the point of eye infection (remember, this is the symptom NOT the primary disease) then you will need to go to a vet and possibly have vitamin A injections to correct the deficiency and make changes to the diet. Dark, leafy greens are actually higher in vitamin A than carrots and much easier for the turtle to digest (you may see those carrots mostly undigested in the poop).
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Stacey

If your turtle eats a good diet it is not a vitamin A
deficiency. This is a diagnosis that is over done and could
cause some real health problems by overdosing with it.

Did you decide this yourself or did the vet give you this
diagnosis? I WOULD NOT give any additional vitamin A in the
eyes or anywhere else. Just give a mixed diet and start soaking
him a couple of time a day for about a week and increase your
humidity to about 60% in the area he spends most of his time.

Please try to post a picture of his face so we can take a look.

Linda

Agreed --

That is such a common pop diagnosis that even some vets who are not overly familiar with treating turtles will make. I have heard too many times of the disasterous effects of vitamin A injections in turtles. They see closed puffy eyes and BOOM automatically it is assumed that their is a vitamin a deficiency. It is good to come to forums to get some ideas about what a problem might be BUT if there is some serious condition (such as this) you can't expect anyone to diagnose a situation on an animal sight unseen. You really should take him to a QUALIFIED herp vet (if possible) first and truly confirm this condition is caused by a deficiency before you treat with vitamin A. You could end up toxifying your tortoise if it is not the problem.

Steve

Please see the photo to conclude which deficiency it is and what I should do. I've been misting the substrate 2-3 times a day to kick up the humidity and have increased the heating a bit.
I will begin soaking him more frequently in the next few days.

Thanks...PLEASE SEE THE PHOTO...

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?photo=119905

That's a little better but honestly I can't say that it is a deficiency of vitamin a or not. A qualified vet would have to make that determination. It just looks like irritated a bit to me. Is there any puss discharge from it or is he just tearing normally? Again if it starts oozing or increases in size I would get him to a vet.

Better yet just take him to a vet anyway for piece of mind.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Steve

Another condition that sounds a little like you described is
called entropia (?spelling). This is a condition where the
inner lining of the eye partially covers the eyeball itself.

I know it is easily corrected but you must see a vet first.
As I said in my earlier post please don't overdose on vitamins.

Keep us posted
Linda

I do not think we can determine this. I agree in early reptile medicaine it was probably overdiagnosed but reptile medicine has progressed. There are alos still owners who, although well intentioned, do not feed an appropriate diet. The tortoise needs to be seen by a reptile veterinarian. Chronic iritation of the eye can lead to ulceration of the cornea and if left unattended (like waiting to see if it gets worse) can cause a rupture of the globe. I personally would not mess around with an eye problem, take him to a vet.
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Stacey

Hi,

I took my tortoise to the vet and he said it was conjunctivitis.
He said it was a very minor case.
He gave me drops to put into his eyes every four hours for 20 days.

So all should be well now!

I am happy to hear it is nothing too serious. I would just
keep the humidity boosted though and that should help alot.

Good luck!
Linda