Concerned about my baby Sulcata's health! White build up around eyes.

[prelyt]

My Sulcata, Walter, is about 10 months old and recently has been noticeably lazier and has a strange white build up in his eyes. Attached is a photo showing the white stuff around and in his eyes. Here are some facts about him:

• He lives in a 30 gallon terrarium
• I use a 100 w UVA/UVB lamp for basking lamp and UV rays This one specifically
• Humidity is 70% or higher in the tank always
• He gets a soak 1-2 times per week
• He is fed lettuce and/or grass every 2-3 days
• He is not as active as he usually is

I hope this information is helpful to anyone who can help me, my wife and I are very worried about him but dont want to rush him to the vet if its not serious. At the same time we do want to rush him to the vet if it IS serious!

 

[wellington]

Is he able too get out from under the direct heat of the bulb? A thirty gallon is way too small. Also, the diet needs a lot of improvement. Check out thetortoisetable.org.uk for more edible ideas to add too his diet. I would give him a lager enclosure too. Can you post a pic or two of the 30 gallon.

 

[prelyt]

Is he able too get out from under the direct heat of the bulb? A thirty gallon is way too small. Also, the diet needs a lot of improvement. Check out thetortoisetable.org.uk for more edible ideas to add too his diet. I would give him a lager enclosure too. Can you post a pic or two of the 30 gallon.

There is a side of his enclosure heated by a ceramic heating element and he also has a humid hide. I will post some pics for you.

 

[wellington]

Also, what are you using too read temps and humidity? Those cheap disc type things the pets stores sell are not very accurate. Home Depot sells more reliable ones. My first guess would be the enclosure is too dry and/or your light is too close or he is not able too get out from under the light enough.

 

[sibi]

Hi, and I'm sorry that your baby has such eye problems. Your stats are a bit concerning. First, humidity should be at 80%. He gets soaked 1-2 times a week is too little. He should be soaked daily. Also you feed lettuce every 2-3 days? Do you mean he only eats 2-3 times a week? What does he eat on a daily basis?

At first I thought you may have been seeing a white foam-like substance. But, now looking at the pics, I think there's some kind of skin growth or tissue growth on his eyes. I an not a vet, but I would definitely take him to a vet that specializes in torts. This problem is not for just any vet to see. Seek out a specialist on torts.

What kind of substrate are you using in the tank? It may be what's causing the problem. Also, does Walter seem to know where things are when he walks toward it? I think he's nutritionally compromised which may have caused this type of illness.

 

[prelyt]

Also, what are you using too read temps and humidity? Those cheap disc type things the pets stores sell are not very accurate. Home Depot sells more reliable ones. My first guess would be the enclosure is too dry and/or your light is too close or he is not able too get out from under the light enough.

I have a digital thermometer that reads humidity and temp. Here are 3 photos of my enclosure, you can see one side is heated by the UV lamp and the other is heated by the ceramic heating element, and there is an under the tank heat pad under where his hide is.

---

Hi, and I'm sorry that your baby has such eye problems. Your stats are a bit concerning. First, humidity should be at 80%. He gets soaked 1-2 times a week is too little. He should be soaked daily. Also you feed lettuce every 2-3 days? Do you mean he only eats 2-3 times a week? What does he eat on a daily basis?

At first I thought you may have been seeing a white foam-like substance. But, now looking at the pics, I think there's some kind of skin growth or tissue growth on his eyes. I an not a vet, but I would definitely take him to a vet that specializes in torts. This problem is not for just any vet to see. Seek out a specialist on torts.

What kind of substrate are you using in the tank? It may be what's causing the problem. Also, does Walter seem to know where things are when he walks toward it? I think he's nutritionally compromised which may have caused this type of illness.

I am using Coco Coir for substrate. I keep grass hay in the tank always for him to eat inbetween lettuce feedings and he has a calcium block that he can nibble whenever (like this)
He responded to a quick movement I made with my hand by pulling his head in.

 

[sibi]

The grass hay had been the main food for since he was how old? When you got Walter, how old was he? You know babies don't usually eat grass at all until they get to be about 2 years old. Is the grass cut up for him and changed out daily? Has Walter ever gotten out in the real sun? For how long? These question are necessary; I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I want to help you get to the source of his problem. Did you ever read any of Tom's threads on sulcata care?

 

[prelyt]

The grass hay had been the main food for since he was how old? When you got Walter, how old was he? You know babies don't usually eat grass at all until they get to be about 2 years old. Is the grass cut up for him and changed out daily? Has Walter ever gotten out in the real sun? For how long? These question are necessary; I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I want to help you get to the source of his problem. Did you ever read any of Tom's threads on sulcata care?

I appreciate all the criticism and advice I can get. I got Walter when he was about 3 or 4 months old. I have read Tom's care sheets and have mostly based my care taking from them. I dont change out the grass hay every day, but we do cut it up. Sometimes we cut up some grass hay clippings and mix it in with some chopped lettuce and pumpkin puree. He used to get 30 minutes to an hour of real sunlight per week, sometimes more but hasn't been out in the sun recently.

 

[sibi]

Okay, so you have read Tom's care sheets. Then, you know that lettuce is out, right? It would be better to feed romaine than lettuce. Also, Walter needs to eat a variety of foods, like greens, soft grass, weeds like dandelion, clovers, hibiscus flower and stem, etc. It would even be better if you can feed him some mazuri from time to time. Also, make it a priority to get him outside in the sun for at least an hour everyday that there's sun. The vitamin D3 can only be produced by the sun. The calcium block is great, but if Walter isn't getting much sun, any benefits from the calcium is lost. The sun aids the conversion of calcium into vitamin D3. In any case, this is secondary to his immediate problem. Can you get him to a good vet?

The grass hay had been the main food for since he was how old? When you got Walter, how old was he? You know babies don't usually eat grass at all until they get to be about 2 years old. Is the grass cut up for him and changed out daily? Has Walter ever gotten out in the real sun? For how long? These question are necessary; I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I want to help you get to the source of his problem. Did you ever read any of Tom's threads on sulcata care?

I appreciate all the criticism and advice I can get. I got Walter when he was about 3 or 4 months old. I have read Tom's care sheets and have mostly based my care taking from them. I dont change out the grass hay every day, but we do cut it up. Sometimes we cut up some grass hay clippings and mix it in with some chopped lettuce and pumpkin puree. He used to get 30 minutes to an hour of real sunlight per week, sometimes more but hasn't been out in the sun recently.

 

[prelyt]

Okay, so you have read Tom's care sheets. Then, you know that lettuce is out, right? It would be better to feed romaine than lettuce. Also, Walter needs to eat a variety of foods, like greens, soft grass, weeds like dandelion, clovers, hibiscus flower and stem, etc. It would even be better if you can feed him some mazuri from time to time. Also, make it a priority to get him outside in the sun for at least an hour everyday that there's sun. The vitamin D3 can only be produced by the sun. The calcium block is great, but if Walter isn't getting much sun, any benefits from the calcium is lost. The sun aids the conversion of calcium into vitamin D3. In any case, this is secondary to his immediate problem. Can you get him to a good vet?

The grass hay had been the main food for since he was how old? When you got Walter, how old was he? You know babies don't usually eat grass at all until they get to be about 2 years old. Is the grass cut up for him and changed out daily? Has Walter ever gotten out in the real sun? For how long? These question are necessary; I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I want to help you get to the source of his problem. Did you ever read any of Tom's threads on sulcata care?

I appreciate all the criticism and advice I can get. I got Walter when he was about 3 or 4 months old. I have read Tom's care sheets and have mostly based my care taking from them. I dont change out the grass hay every day, but we do cut it up. Sometimes we cut up some grass hay clippings and mix it in with some chopped lettuce and pumpkin puree. He used to get 30 minutes to an hour of real sunlight per week, sometimes more but hasn't been out in the sun recently.

My mistake, I have been saying lettuce but it is in fact romaine. His eye issue seems to be that his eyes look normal when they are closed, but when he opens them I can see that white goopy build up. It seems to be irritating him because he is rubbing his eye on his arms.

 

[JoeB]

The first pic it appears its holding its head up and you mentioned it reacted quickly by pulling its head in with your hand movement, these are good signs. Keep the temp up and increase the soaking. Hows the appetite and stools?

 

[prelyt]

The first pic it appears its holding its head up and you mentioned it reacted quickly by pulling its head in with your hand movement, these are good signs. Keep the temp up and increase the soaking. Hows the appetite and stools?

His stools are mostly normal, the last one was a little greenish but still dark and big. He doesnt seem to be eating tonight though.

 

[sibi]

Yes, it's irritating his eyes because it looks like some foreign matter is attached to the cornea of the eye. Does the matter move around or is it still? Can you get him in to see a vet?

Okay, so you have read Tom's care sheets. Then, you know that lettuce is out, right? It would be better to feed romaine than lettuce. Also, Walter needs to eat a variety of foods, like greens, soft grass, weeds like dandelion, clovers, hibiscus flower and stem, etc. It would even be better if you can feed him some mazuri from time to time. Also, make it a priority to get him outside in the sun for at least an hour everyday that there's sun. The vitamin D3 can only be produced by the sun. The calcium block is great, but if Walter isn't getting much sun, any benefits from the calcium is lost. The sun aids the conversion of calcium into vitamin D3. In any case, this is secondary to his immediate problem. Can you get him to a good vet?

The grass hay had been the main food for since he was how old? When you got Walter, how old was he? You know babies don't usually eat grass at all until they get to be about 2 years old. Is the grass cut up for him and changed out daily? Has Walter ever gotten out in the real sun? For how long? These question are necessary; I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I want to help you get to the source of his problem. Did you ever read any of Tom's threads on sulcata care?

I appreciate all the criticism and advice I can get. I got Walter when he was about 3 or 4 months old. I have read Tom's care sheets and have mostly based my care taking from them. I dont change out the grass hay every day, but we do cut it up. Sometimes we cut up some grass hay clippings and mix it in with some chopped lettuce and pumpkin puree. He used to get 30 minutes to an hour of real sunlight per week, sometimes more but hasn't been out in the sun recently.

My mistake, I have been saying lettuce but it is in fact romaine. His eye issue seems to be that his eyes look normal when they are closed, but when he opens them I can see that white goopy build up. It seems to be irritating him because he is rubbing his eye on his arms.

 

[prelyt]

Yes, it's irritating his eyes because it looks like some foreign matter is attached to the cornea of the eye. Does the matter move around or is it still? Can you get him in to see a vet?

Okay, so you have read Tom's care sheets. Then, you know that lettuce is out, right? It would be better to feed romaine than lettuce. Also, Walter needs to eat a variety of foods, like greens, soft grass, weeds like dandelion, clovers, hibiscus flower and stem, etc. It would even be better if you can feed him some mazuri from time to time. Also, make it a priority to get him outside in the sun for at least an hour everyday that there's sun. The vitamin D3 can only be produced by the sun. The calcium block is great, but if Walter isn't getting much sun, any benefits from the calcium is lost. The sun aids the conversion of calcium into vitamin D3. In any case, this is secondary to his immediate problem. Can you get him to a good vet?

The grass hay had been the main food for since he was how old? When you got Walter, how old was he? You know babies don't usually eat grass at all until they get to be about 2 years old. Is the grass cut up for him and changed out daily? Has Walter ever gotten out in the real sun? For how long? These question are necessary; I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I want to help you get to the source of his problem. Did you ever read any of Tom's threads on sulcata care?

I appreciate all the criticism and advice I can get. I got Walter when he was about 3 or 4 months old. I have read Tom's care sheets and have mostly based my care taking from them. I dont change out the grass hay every day, but we do cut it up. Sometimes we cut up some grass hay clippings and mix it in with some chopped lettuce and pumpkin puree. He used to get 30 minutes to an hour of real sunlight per week, sometimes more but hasn't been out in the sun recently.

My mistake, I have been saying lettuce but it is in fact romaine. His eye issue seems to be that his eyes look normal when they are closed, but when he opens them I can see that white goopy build up. It seems to be irritating him because he is rubbing his eye on his arms.

I can get him to the vet. Is it urgent? should I go now?

 

[sibi]

No, it's not a matter of life or death. He's been like this for a while. It can wait until the morning or when you can get in to see the vet. Is the vet knowledgeable on tortoises? But, get in to see the vet this week!

 

[prelyt]

No, it's not a matter of life or death. He's been like this for a while. It can wait until the morning or when you can get in to see the vet. Is the vet knowledgeable on tortoises? But, get in to see the vet this week!

I looked up reptile vets and there is one close to me that I can take him to. Tomorrow I think I am going to get normal saline eye drops and see if those work for him because since I noticed it I have been able to rinse some of the goop out by running warm water over his eyes briefly and giving him a good soak. He seems to have been getting a little more active since I started this thread, so if things dont change for the better than I will take him in to the vet ASAP.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Did the saline washes resolve the issue for you?

 

[prelyt]

Did the saline washes resolve the issue for you?

We havent tried saline washes yet, we have been soaking him two to three times a day and one of those is a carrot soak (in case it is a vitamin A deficiency). Today a vet will be coming to our house to visit Walter and hopefully decide what is wrong and what can be done to help him. He thinks it is the Coco Coir substrate, so we cleaned his tank and replaced the coco coir with paper towels for the time being. I will let you know what the vet says and hopefully this info can help others who find themselves in my situation.

 

[kezilulu]

Hope it's nothing serious! Let us know!
xXx

 

[prelyt]

So the vet came and is concerned because he thinks Walter is calcium deficient. He also thinks that the coco coir substrate was irritating Walter and also probably the cause of his eye infection. He left us with some eye drops and special diet instructions. He also gave Walter 2 shots, one was calcium and the other antibiotics.