Hi There,I faced a similar problem with a new hatchling. In my case, the eye problem was related to humidity. Adult Russians don't require much humidity but the younger hatchlings definitely do.
I'm not as experienced as others on here, but I would assume a 1yr old would require those same higher levels.
Can you provide more info about your setup? What are your humidity/temp levels? What kind of lighting and how many hours on/off? What kind of substrate/enclosure? What are you feeding the little guy? Are you soaking him on a regular basis and, if so, how often/how long?
I may not be able to answer all of your questions, but I can almost guarantee that the many experts on this forum will ask you for all of this info as well before they can provide an answer.
Once I know a little more, I can give you some suggestions based on my own experience and the many excellent answers that I've received from other experts on this forum myself...atleast until one of them is able to pick this up and rescue both of us! Lol
Hi ThereThe white boxes are wireless temperature/humidity sensors velcroed to the sides that transmit to a little screen I monitor. Three sensors, one on each end, one in the middle. Found on Amazon.
As I said, 50 gallon Rubbermaid tote, used a hacksaw to cut the lid for the heat lights, used a drill to make the holes on the sides and bought wooden dowels cut to length to hold the UVA/UVB fluorescent light.
I'm happy to give you all my sources on everything I have and the brands I prefer if you want.
They also recommended I buy these to give him but he never ate them so I don’t give them to himHi There
Thanks for all that information. It’s quite the contrasting in comparison to what the pet shop where I bought him told me. They told me (he was they reckoned about 4 months old) that he didn’t need a UV light that the light I had would suffice. They were feeding him baby carrots & to give him them with the likes of spinach & kale, nothing about bathing him, I have the eye drops I got them about 2 weeks ago & I am using them. When he wasn’t eating I asked them what to do they told me to change his bedding that it might be too dusty for him (I will attach pics of what I was using & what they told me to change it too) as we don’t get much sun in Ireland I will now get a UV light. Maybe you could let me know which bedding I should use? Regarding the food I cannot get that turnip leaf here in Ireland. Any other suggestions?
Also when I do get the UV light to I leave both on?? The light I already have & the UV light?They also recommended I buy these to give him but he never ate them so I don’t give them to him
They also recommended I buy these to give him but he never ate them so I don’t give them to him
Should I be dampening down his bedding too, again there was no mention of this from the pet shop! ?In terms of the bedding, it seems like it should be fine, either one really. I couldn't really see what kind of wood it was, but basically, cypress mulch is typically the most common.
I use coconut fiber for my bedding. I usually mix 2:1 ratio of the fine coconut fiber with the coarse chip fiber. The main reason I use coconut fiber is because it tends to be less dusty and holds moisture better. That keeps the eye irritants down and humidity up.
i don't think I would classify your substrate as "wrong" in this case. The main thing is to stay away from any woods that have strong scents (ie. Cedar).
I also have this..I have been spraying him with this also.So, I don't think this food would "hurt" him, but typically, it's best to only supplement his diet with a commercial tortoise food, maybe a small amount once or twice a week. You definitely don't want it to be his primary diet.
I use a little Mazuri Small Tortoise Diet LS that I'll sprinkle onto their food occasionally. Sometimes it's best to soak these dry foods or spray them so that they get a little mushy.
Again, as a small supplement, it should be fine, but your tortoise isn't used to digesting commercial foods on a regular basis, and often times they contain higher levels of protein, which is also not good.
Also when I do get the UV light to I leave both on?? The light I already have & the UV light?
They also recommended I buy these to give him but he never ate them so I don’t give them to him
Should I be dampening down his bedding too, again there was no mention of this from the pet shop! ?
I also have this..I have been spraying him with this also.
Hi there,Erinsher,
I sent you a private message with my email address. Feel free to use it as needed. There's a huge time difference between us, but I'll try to respond as quickly as possible.
I'll do my best to try and help you get started and setup correctly. It seems your local pet store may not be the most trusted resource for you.
Again, this forum is also another great resource with tremendously knowledgeable experts. My main concern, as with anyone else on here, is the health and well-being of your little hard-shelled companion.
I think you'll find that once his enclosure is transformed into the "ideal" space for him, your little guy will thrive and be a fascinating addition to the family. Honestly, myself and my kids can sit and watch our little guys for hours!!