please help both eyes white.

[wayneiak]

Hi im looking after a tortoise (think horsefield) for two weeks while the owner is away.
He didn't open its eyes the first day even when i picked him up and he walked round with them shut so after a bit of research i gave him a lukewarm bath and he opened hiseyes, they are both white and I dont think he can see. Also haven't seen him eat anything even when i try feeding him by hand. Ill post pics. Any help would be much appreciated thanks wayne. this is his tank.

 

[wellington]

I would switch out the substrate for coconut coir and a bigger water dish, one he can soak in and I would also give him a daily warm soak. If you are using a cfl bulb coil type stop using IG, it will be the cause of the problem

 

[wellington]

He also should have a hide and some humidity. A bigger enclosure is also in need. Let the owners know all you learn here.

 

[wayneiak]

Thank you

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yes, thats what i was thinking. Such a completely sterile environment :-( Needs some visual stimulation, some variety, a few tufts of grass, and weeds, a place to hide and get out of the light for a nap, etc. a change in the substrate, and, id sink the water bowl level into the substrate, id ditch the food bowl/dish for a flat stone/tile to help with the beak. Could probably use a cuttle bone in there as well.

I would also check the lights and give this guy some daily soaks.

 

[FujiBaird]

From the shell and skin coloring, it appears that it might be a Hermann's tortoise. All of the above suggestions would apply to a Hermann's -- but you might also consider visiting the Hermann's tortoise subforum (under Mediterranean tortoises) to get more ideas on how to help this little fellow.

Is the enclosure you pictured his permanent enclosure, or just a temporary one while you are watching him?

 

[Randi]

View attachment 159015

Has anyone noticed his head in one of the pictures? It almost looks burnt, as there is a really dark and scaly circle patch of skin. It looks like an injury. He also has something on the eyelid above the eye. Please follow the directions given. I think a visit to the vet may be required. I would contact the owner for permission and then I would bring the tortoise in. There's something wrong.

 

[Yvonne G]

That could be pus, or it could be the nictitating membrane. Whatever it is, he would benefit from a soothing application of some sort of eye ointment.

You get this one either from a vet or from a feed store:


This one is sold at pet stores, but not all pet stores carry it:

If it's the nictitating membrane, stress is usually what causes it to swell.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks Yvonne.
I'm getting some for my first aid kit if my feed store has it.

 

[wayneiak]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Quick update I've bathed him twice today he seemed to like it and after he had a little kale to eat. He still cant see so tomorrow going to get some eye drops and some new coconut coir substrate. For the time been ive put him in a makeshift tortoise table until he improves. The lighting in the vivarium is a reptiglow/5.0/15w/ exo-terra. And his heat source is a heat pad stuck on the side of the tank. Also i don't think he gets any vitamins could anyone help in which vitamins to buy?
His he horsefield or a hermans?

 

[Yvonne G]

He's either a Greek or a Hermanns, deff. not a Horsefield.

I don't think he's warm enough. The heat on the side of the tank doesn't do the trick. He needs a heat light or a Ceramic Heat Emitter. Something that hangs down from the top that he can sit under to warm up.

 

[wellington]

As Yvonne said a heat source from above. A ceramin heat emitter would be good for day and night heat as it doesn't give off light, just heat. @HermanniChris can help with a positive ID.

 

[wellington]

Yes, thats what i was thinking. Such a completely sterile environment :-( Needs some visual stimulation, some variety, a few tufts of grass, and weeds, a place to hide and get out of the light for a nap, etc. a change in the substrate, and, id sink the water bowl level into the substrate, id ditch the food bowl/dish for a flat stone/tile to help with the beak. Could probably use a cuttle bone in there as well.

I would also check the lights and give this guy some daily soaks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Yes, thats what i was thinking. Such a completely sterile environment :-( Needs some visual stimulation, some variety, a few tufts of grass, and weeds, a place to hide and get out of the light for a nap, etc. a change in the substrate, and, id sink the water bowl level into the substrate, id ditch the food bowl/dish for a flat stone/tile to help with the beak. Could probably use a cuttle bone in there as well.

I would also check the lights and give this guy some daily soaks.

 

[Lyn W]

Thank you for looking after this poor tort - he is obviously not receiving the correct care - any chance they would let you adopt him? I'm not familiar with that bulb but if it is a coiled or long thing loopy sort it must be changed asap (sorry if I'm repeating not had chance to read all posts yet)

 

[FujiBaird]

I'm so glad he's finally eating for you! Due to the eye issues and a potential lack of vitamins, perhaps this tort would benefit from a baby food soak the next time you bathe him? A search of the forum will give you directions on what to do. Agree with the others that the heat pad on the wall is probably not warming him up enough, I bet a new heat source and some eye drops will do wonders for him. As for vitamins, a standard reptile calcium powder should suffice... since this is an indoor tortoise, you can get one with or without D3. You could also get a cuttlebone if there isn't a reptile vitamin available. Thanks for being such a conscientious tort-sitter!

 

[HermanniChris]

Definitely looks to be a vitamin deficiency. It's a Hermann's and appears to be a Dalmatian (T. h. hercegovinensis).