Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,
I posted a message some time ago about a problem with my little Russian suddenly walking around with his eyes shut, bumping into things.
There had been no change to his environment at all, he has been kept with an older male Russian for 18mths now without a problem, he is about 2 1/2 years old. Well I should say she, as the vet recently said he was 80% certain she was female.

The thing is it has been 3 weeks now since this problem occured... and the little un' has eaten hardly a thing in this time.... seeming sometimes stressed/ afraid when I put her out to walk, which is only understandable given she cant see a thing.
I took her to the vet who tested her poo/ urine/ x-rayed her and said there was no infection of the eyes as far as he could see. Instead he suggested it might be down to depression??? or its hot spot being to hot. So I have since changed a few things but to no avail....and she is bathed daily....
I know there are a lot of seasoned Tortoise keepers who post on here and wonder if anyone has ever come across this problem. It is just that I am afraid I will lose her if this problem is not fixed and it pains me to see her bumping into everything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Stephanie ( UK )

russians do need it dry but they do benefit from a humid hide.

Try providing a moist covered area in the mid point of the heat range you are providing.

>>Hi all,
>>I posted a message some time ago about a problem with my little Russian suddenly walking around with his eyes shut, bumping into things.
>>There had been no change to his environment at all, he has been kept with an older male Russian for 18mths now without a problem, he is about 2 1/2 years old. Well I should say she, as the vet recently said he was 80% certain she was female.
>>
>>The thing is it has been 3 weeks now since this problem occured... and the little un' has eaten hardly a thing in this time.... seeming sometimes stressed/ afraid when I put her out to walk, which is only understandable given she cant see a thing.
>>I took her to the vet who tested her poo/ urine/ x-rayed her and said there was no infection of the eyes as far as he could see. Instead he suggested it might be down to depression??? or its hot spot being to hot. So I have since changed a few things but to no avail....and she is bathed daily....
>>I know there are a lot of seasoned Tortoise keepers who post on here and wonder if anyone has ever come across this problem. It is just that I am afraid I will lose her if this problem is not fixed and it pains me to see her bumping into everything.
>>
>>Any help would be greatly appreciated,
>>
>>Stephanie ( UK )
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

i would increase the frequency and duration of warm water soakings.

closed eyes is not a good sign. one of the things i have noticed with russian tortoises is that there are other underlying ailments that can cause the eyes to close. i would encourage you to do everything you can to keep your tort well hydrated and eating. make sure that you are giving a good and varied diet, lots of fiber in the form of ground up hay. go to russiantortoise.com for a good and complete diet plan.

i'm assuming you got your tort from a breeder if you know that it is 2.5 years of age. and if this is the case, then your vet is off by 30%. at 2.5 years of age all russian tortoises look like females.

matt

Russians get eye infections easily or get irratated. There is a product made for tortoises eyes that you can buy at petsmart
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1.1.0 Russian Tortoises-Nas(M) Shelly(F) had them for 4 years now
soon to come vieled