Worried- Please Help

Sazzy1987 · 21-10-2013, 01:26 PM

Hello,
I have two horsefield tortoises and they are both 15 months old now.

Both living together in a table top on topsoil, with heat light and the correct UVB light. Temps are right, humidity is right.

One of them is fine and has done really well. The other is a slower grower and a little more lazy. I dont mind this its just i am worried about her eyes. She keeps rubbing them. So because they were on 50/50 sand and topsoil i did a change and took the sand out. They are now on top soil. This made no difference.

Her eyes appeared sunken in so i decided to take her to a reptile vet. He checked her for scratches on the eye and all sorts. Her eyes bought up nothing. He said they looked a bit irritated and gave me some antibiotic eye drops.

I always bath them daily so i am sure its not dehydration. They always have access to shallow water anyways on there table.

I have been putting these drops in for a week now and her eyes do look less sunken but she is still rubbing them.

I have phoned the vets again this morning to give him a update and am waiting for a call back.

He mentioned last time about taking a xray to check behind her eyes properly if it continued but i am very reluctant to do this as i dont want to stress her out.

She is still eating, pooing and weeing it literally is just her eyes that cause me concern.

Has anyone any ideas on what could be the problem? or has anyone experienced this before?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

burnt toast · 21-10-2013, 05:14 PM

How dry is your substrate? It is also possible she might have an allery to the top soil as it has been in both options? I tend to water mine & turn it so its dampish in the warm end ( not too damp, but not dusty either) Another thought is: what type of heating are you using? A convector heater by any chance - only clutching at straws here but they can dry the air out as well.

ps: What lighting are you using & how close to your tort is the light?

Sazzy1987 · 21-10-2013, 05:49 PM

Hey, Thanks for your reply.
She is currently on just newspaper and has been for a week. This has made no difference. Sorry i should have put that in my first post. I did wonder if it was the topsoil.

The topsoil she was on is dampened down daily to ensure it isn't too dry and dusty.

No i don't and wouldn't use convector heat, they have D3 UV BASKING LAMP which does both UV and heat. The bulbs are a good 14 inch away from the tortoises.

I think i have the set up spot on, i have grown up with tortoises. But if there is anything else you think off throw it my way ill double check

Thanks

21-10-2013, 01:26 PM	#1
Sazzy1987 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Leicester Posts: 33	Worried- Please Help Hello, I have two horsefield tortoises and they are both 15 months old now. Both living together in a table top on topsoil, with heat light and the correct UVB light. Temps are right, humidity is right. One of them is fine and has done really well. The other is a slower grower and a little more lazy. I dont mind this its just i am worried about her eyes. She keeps rubbing them. So because they were on 50/50 sand and topsoil i did a change and took the sand out. They are now on top soil. This made no difference. Her eyes appeared sunken in so i decided to take her to a reptile vet. He checked her for scratches on the eye and all sorts. Her eyes bought up nothing. He said they looked a bit irritated and gave me some antibiotic eye drops. I always bath them daily so i am sure its not dehydration. They always have access to shallow water anyways on there table. I have been putting these drops in for a week now and her eyes do look less sunken but she is still rubbing them. I have phoned the vets again this morning to give him a update and am waiting for a call back. He mentioned last time about taking a xray to check behind her eyes properly if it continued but i am very reluctant to do this as i dont want to stress her out. She is still eating, pooing and weeing it literally is just her eyes that cause me concern. Has anyone any ideas on what could be the problem? or has anyone experienced this before? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

21-10-2013, 05:14 PM	#2
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	How dry is your substrate? It is also possible she might have an allery to the top soil as it has been in both options? I tend to water mine & turn it so its dampish in the warm end ( not too damp, but not dusty either) Another thought is: what type of heating are you using? A convector heater by any chance - only clutching at straws here but they can dry the air out as well. ps: What lighting are you using & how close to your tort is the light?

21-10-2013, 05:49 PM	#3
Sazzy1987 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Leicester Posts: 33	Hey, Thanks for your reply. She is currently on just newspaper and has been for a week. This has made no difference. Sorry i should have put that in my first post. I did wonder if it was the topsoil. The topsoil she was on is dampened down daily to ensure it isn't too dry and dusty. No i don't and wouldn't use convector heat, they have D3 UV BASKING LAMP which does both UV and heat. The bulbs are a good 14 inch away from the tortoises. I think i have the set up spot on, i have grown up with tortoises. But if there is anything else you think off throw it my way ill double check Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)