Leopard Tortoise Puffy Eyes When Asleep

[Meatlow]

Yesterday I realized my tortoise has puffy eyes. Is it bacteria infection or dehydrated? I frequently change the water and make sure they drink. My UVB is not coil but flat round. I had read multiple forums with similar problems but it seems like it did not improve. Currently, my tortoise still has the appetite to eat but I really worry every day. I brought him to the vet twice. The vet told me to change to a proper light bulb, substrate and gave me an eye drop to apply once per day. 2 weeks later it did not improve as well. Every morning I also soak them and put them under the sun for about 30 minutes to an hour. Please help~ (Below are picture from last week, I was told moved him to other enclosure after consultation from vet)

- The enclosure are in a 22-inch x 18-inch (56 cm x 46 cm) glass tank.
- Indoors.
- The UV bulb is 8 inches (20cm) directly above the basking area.
- The basking temperature - 40°C (104°F). Temperature away from basking area - 32.5°C (90.5°F). UV bulb usually open from 10 to 2 -3.
- Below are my current light bulb and enclosure
- This is my first time having leopard tortoises as pets. I wish I can do it better. Any additional advice will be nice.

 

[Lyn W]

This is the caresheet you need which has all the up to date care information you need about temps, humidity, diet etc

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

How old are they and are you keeping them all together in the same tank?
I don't think it's big enough for one baby so it's probably far too small for 3 and you need to look at something much bigger.
What substrate are you using and what sort of bulb?
Was the vet you saw a tortoise specialist?
Pictures of their enclosure and lamps would help members give you the best advice.

 

[Cherryshell]

That coil light is your issue

 

[Lyn W]

@Lyn W I got them when they are hatchling in February this year. They used to be in the same tank but after consultation from vet, she recommended me to separate all of them and provide them their own tank.

- Substrate that I using is extra-chipsi (The vet told me that this substrate will prevent mold and dirty
- I using 25W UVB and heat lamp
- The vet was a reptile specialist. I saw one patient brought her tortoise to the vet during the second visit
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Coiled/cfl type bulbs have been found to damage tort eyes so they need to go asap .
T5HO tubes are recommended for uvb and widely used by members. But if you are able to give them natural sunlight you probably don't need a uvb lamp. Just make sure they also have a shady area where they can get out of the sun if they want and water available to self soak in.
I've not heard of that substrate, can you post a picture of it? Just wondering of it's something irritating his eye.

 

[jaizei]

- The UV bulb is 8 inches (20cm) directly above the basking area.

I'm more concerned about this than the bulb being CFL. Any UVB bulb mounted that close without checking with a meter could/would cause problems.

 

[wellington]

Yoi have a lot of reading on here to do and a lot of changes to make asap.
Each tort needs to be in at least a 3 or 4 foot by 6 or 8 foot bigger better cuz they will likely need better in 6 months to a year if you get things changed and start doing the right things.
They also need high humidity of 80%. Yours are already badly pyramiding for their age do to wrong care.

 

[zovick]

@jaizei I dont have a UVB meter do you have a picture and name of the UVB meter? and what are the require uvb degree I should have.

You should get a Solarmeter. The model 6.5 and 6.5r are the only ones which will measure the UVB for your tortoise. You should try to get a reading of 3.0 to 3.3 for a young tortoise.

Here are links to the correct Solarmeters:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076GXJFJG/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Forestry Suppliers, Inc.

Forestry Suppliers, Inc.

www.forestry-suppliers.com

 

[Lyn W]

@Lyn W @jaizei @wellington I feel bad for my tortoise. I'm new and first time having tortoises as pet. I love them. I had already taken out the coil bulb and remain the heat lamp. Everyday I apply eye drop and soak them for at least 30 minutes. Update - His appetite is better today, just that he looks tired when I put him out for a walk in my living room. I heard that carrot soak will improve the eye condition as well is it effective? Any additional advice will be help.

It's not a good idea to let them roam around the house because there are so many hazards which we often don't consider until it's too late - dust, hair/fur, cleaning chemicals, small objects that could get ingested and cause choking or a blockage in the digestive tract or internal injury. Plus there's always the risk they could get accidentally kicked or caught in doors - one story that has stayed with me since I joined TFO is from one member who was devastated because he'd opened a door and crushed his torts head. If you have a dog, even if you trust him, there's a risk he could seriously injure or kill your tort if he decides to use it as a toy or gets spooked by it. Cats can also harm torts with their claws. It's also a lot colder at floor level especially for babies so its best to make sure they have secure indoor and outdoor enclosures big enough for them to roam around and keep them safe in those.

 

[Lyn W]

@Lyn W Do you have any recommended UVB bulb I can purchase? Do you have a picture of how you place the tube UVB bulb? I soak them and bring them out for natural sunlight for 30 minutes to1 hour each day, is it enough? The substrate that I use is CHIPSI EXTRA MEDIUM EXOTIC BEDDING.

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I'm pretty sure that because you are able to give them natural sunlight you may not need a uvb lamp but I don't know enough about your climate to advise you on what you need. Read the caresheet and see what they recommend then check to see how your temps compare.
I think that substrate looks a bit dry I'll tag @Tom to see what he thinks about your lamps and substrate.

 

[wellington]

@Lyn W Do you have any recommended UVB bulb I can purchase? Do you have a picture of how you place the tube UVB bulb? I soak them and bring them out for natural sunlight for 30 minutes to1 hour each day, is it enough? The substrate that I use is CHIPSI EXTRA MEDIUM EXOTIC BEDDING.

View attachment 334273View attachment 334274

Coconut coir or orchid bark. Not the stuff in the pic.
Please read the caresheet. All your answers are there. Then once you have read it and follow it and still have questions come back and ask.

 

[Tom]

Yesterday I realized my tortoise has puffy eyes. Is it bacteria infection or dehydrated? I frequently change the water and make sure they drink. My UVB is not coil but flat round. I had read multiple forums with similar problems but it seems like it did not improve. Currently, my tortoise still has the appetite to eat but I really worry every day. I brought him to the vet twice. The vet told me to change to a proper light bulb, substrate and gave me an eye drop to apply once per day. 2 weeks later it did not improve as well. Every morning I also soak them and put them under the sun for about 30 minutes to an hour. Please help~ (Below are picture from last week, I was told moved him to other enclosure after consultation from vet)

- The enclosure are in a 22-inch x 18-inch (56 cm x 46 cm) glass tank.
- Indoors.
- The UV bulb is 8 inches (20cm) directly above the basking area.
- The basking temperature - 40°C (104°F). Temperature away from basking area - 32.5°C (90.5°F). UV bulb usually open from 10 to 2 -3.
- Below are my current light bulb and enclosure
- This is my first time having leopard tortoises as pets. I wish I can do it better. Any additional advice will be nice.

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View attachment 334202View attachment 334203View attachment 334204

I believe the CFL UV bulb is the cause of your eye problems. I'd turn that off ASAP. Get them out in the sunshine in a safe outdoor enclosure a couple of times per week, and they won't need indoor UV.

That "intense" spot bulb is causing intense pyramiding. Get a flood bulb instead. All this and more is explained in the care sheet.