Tortoises eyes can't open?

TowTruck67

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image1.jpeg image2.jpeg Hi everyone, I got two tortoises yesterday, one male and one female. the female seems to be doing fine; I've seen her eat, and go to the toilet, and her eyes are open. However the male one hasn't opened his eyes once, and I haven't seen him eat or go to the toilet like the female. I'm quite worried about him :/ Thank you :)

image1.jpeg image2.jpeg
 

Bee62

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View attachment 273849 View attachment 273850 Hi everyone, I got two tortoises yesterday, one male and one female. the female seems to be doing fine; I've seen her eat, and go to the toilet, and her eyes are open. However the male one hasn't opened his eyes once, and I haven't seen him eat or go to the toilet like the female. I'm quite worried about him :/ Thank you :)
Where do you got them from ? The tort with the closed eyes is not healthy. He maybe has a respiration infect or kindney and liver problems.
Please soak both tortoises in warm water twice a day for 30 minutes or longer. Water must stay warm during the soak. Add baby carrot food to the soaking water.
How are the temps and the humidity in their enclosure and can you show us some pics of it ?
 

TowTruck67

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Where do you got them from ? The tort with the closed eyes is not healthy. He maybe has a respiration infect or kindney and liver problems.
Please soak both tortoises in warm water twice a day for 30 minutes or longer. Water must stay warm during the soak. Add baby carrot food to the soaking water.
How are the temps and the humidity in their enclosure and can you show us some pics of it ?

I got them from a friend who was unable to keep them. here are some photos of the control box (if thats the right word), the enclosure, and both tortoises. (the one at the front is the female who appears to be doing well. do you mean carrot puree? and is this something I can make with fresh carrots?image1.jpeg image2.jpeg image3.jpeg
 

Bee62

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I got them from a friend who was unable to keep them. here are some photos of the control box (if thats the right word), the enclosure, and both tortoises. (the one at the front is the female who appears to be doing well. do you mean carrot puree? and is this something I can make with fresh carrots?View attachment 273851 View attachment 273852 View attachment 273853
Sorry, but I can`t see from the control box how warm it is in the enclosure but there is another big problem. You`ve got two russian tortoises. This specie is know to be very territorial. Your torts must be seperated asap. One is bullying the other and that makes the other sick.
You can make carrot puree from fresh carrots but you have to cook the fresh carrots and add the mashed and cooked carrots to the soaking water.
 

TowTruck67

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Sorry, but I can`t see from the control box how warm it is in the enclosure but there is another big problem. You`ve got two russian tortoises. This specie is know to be very territorial. Your torts must be seperated asap. One is bullying the other and that makes the other sick.
You can make carrot puree from fresh carrots but you have to cook the fresh carrots and add the mashed and cooked carrots to the soaking water.

There is a temperature control visible in the photo - on the right hand side. also, would this mean getting a separate enclosure? or creating a separation within this enclosure? and about the water, how warm should it be for soaking them?
 

Bee62

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I would add a digital Thermo/ Hygrometer and place it in the enclosure. Only to be sure that temps and humidity are right.
The enclosure you have is too small for both torts for making a seperation. You will need a second enclosure or sell one tort. They will not miss each other.
The soaking water should be warm. 30 C is okay.
Does the tort with the closed eyes makes any noises while breathing ? Or are there bubbles coming from the nose ?
 

TowTruck67

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I would add a digital Thermo/ Hygrometer and place it in the enclosure. Only to be sure that temps and humidity are right.
The enclosure you have is too small for both torts for making a seperation. You will need a second enclosure or sell one tort. They will not miss each other.
The soaking water should be warm. 30 C is okay.
Does the tort with the closed eyes makes any noises while breathing ? Or are there bubbles coming from the nose ?

he made one little squeek earlier on, but apart from that, that's it. I currently have him soaking in some warm water, and while watching him, a tiny bubble came out of his nostril. The trouble is that I may not be able to afford a second enclosure till the beginning of next month, so is this going to be a problem? also, they lived with their previous owner in this enclosure together for several months
 

Bee62

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he made one little squeek earlier on, but apart from that, that's it. I currently have him soaking in some warm water, and while watching him, a tiny bubble came out of his nostril. The trouble is that I may not be able to afford a second enclosure till the beginning of next month, so is this going to be a problem? also, they lived with their previous owner in this enclosure together for several months
.... and that is the problem. That they lived together for several months. When one is bullying the other.
It is not perfect but until you can afford a second enclosure seperated them in the enclosure you have. It is better for the sick one.
What bulbs do you use for heat and uvb and can you measure the temps in the enclosure please ?
 

Bee62

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Soaking by the way is always good for a tort. You can`t soak too long. A long soak will not harm a tort. When your sick one makes no noise while breathing it is a good sign. Watch if there are bubbles when he is not actually soaked. The bubble you`ve seen can be from the soaking water.
Hopefully we can get this little sick one back on the right track.:)
 

TowTruck67

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.... and that is the problem. That they lived together for several months. When one is bullying the other.
It is not perfect but until you can afford a second enclosure seperated them in the enclosure you have. It is better for the sick one.
What bulbs do you use for heat and uvb and can you measure the temps in the enclosure please ?

Well I was not given a UV bulb, however I ordered one from amazon prime yesterday so it should be here today or tomorrow. I am currently using what I believe is a normal desk lamp bulb, 240V. It was already in the enclosure when i got them. How would I go about measuring the temperature?
 

TowTruck67

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Soaking by the way is always good for a tort. You can`t soak too long. A long soak will not harm a tort. When your sick one makes no noise while breathing it is a good sign. Watch if there are bubbles when he is not actually soaked. The bubble you`ve seen can be from the soaking water.
Hopefully we can get this little sick one back on the right track.:)

also, he seems to hate soaking, he scratches at the edge of the tub :( he still hasn't eaten either, however he seems much more active when alone and doesnt hide away in his shell
 

Bee62

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Well I was not given a UV bulb, however I ordered one from amazon prime yesterday so it should be here today or tomorrow. I am currently using what I believe is a normal desk lamp bulb, 240V. It was already in the enclosure when i got them. How would I go about measuring the temperature?
A normal desk lamp produces no heat or not enough heat for tortoises. They need a basking spot with 39 C and the whole enclosure ( at day ) should have 27 C.
I think your torts have been kept way to cold. Do you have any thermometer ? Put it in the enclosure on the ground.
 

Bee62

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also, he seems to hate soaking, he scratches at the edge of the tub :( he still hasn't eaten either, however he seems much more active when alone and doesnt hide away in his shell
No problem that it seems that he hates to be soaked. Only an active tort will eat. The warmth of the water warms him up. That`s fine. Does he open his eyes ?
 

TowTruck67

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No problem that it seems that he hates to be soaked. Only an active tort will eat. The warmth of the water warms him up. That`s fine. Does he open his eyes ?
A normal desk lamp produces no heat or not enough heat for tortoises. They need a basking spot with 39 C and the whole enclosure ( at day ) should have 27 C.
I think your torts have been kept way to cold. Do you have any thermometer ? Put it in the enclosure on the ground.

His eyes are still closed, and there is a wire going into the soil and in this area the soil is warm, and the bulb produces quite a lot of heat; i feel the heat when i put my hand inside.
 

Bee62

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His eyes are still closed, and there is a wire going into the soil and in this area the soil is warm, and the bulb produces quite a lot of heat; i feel the heat when i put my hand inside.
Better you`re using a thermometer to know the exact temps than your hand. :)
You must be patient. The sick tort may need a few days with long warm soaks to recover. And he needs to be alone. Please seperate them.
Have you seen him drinking water ? Some torts drink through their nostrils.
 

TowTruck67

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Better you`re using a thermometer to know the exact temps than your hand. :)
You must be patient. The sick tort may need a few days with long warm soaks to recover. And he needs to be alone. Please seperate them.
Have you seen him drinking water ? Some torts drink through their nostrils.
I've seen him dip his head underwater, so this must be him drinking. I will create a seperation ASAP. is there any way to encourage him to eat? I'm worried he can't see his food
 

Bee62

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I've seen him dip his head underwater, so this must be him drinking. I will create a seperation ASAP. is there any way to encourage him to eat? I'm worried he can't see his food
Yes, he can`t see his food but he can smell it. What food do they know and like ? Can you pick some dandelions that are not treated with any chemicals ? Almost all tortoises love dandelions. You can try to handfeed him.
Thank you for seperating them. You are a good "tort-daddy".:)
 

TowTruck67

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Yes, he can`t see his food but he can smell it. What food do they know and like ? Can you pick some dandelions that are not treated with any chemicals ? Almost all tortoises love dandelions. You can try to handfeed him.
Thank you for seperating them. You are a good "tort-daddy".:)

Tortoises have been separated, I shall be purchasing an identical enclosure at the start of next month :) I shall go out and collect some dandelions; are there any other foods that will help? hopefully Terry's eyes will be open and he'll be eating soon :D
 

Bee62

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Tortoises have been separated, I shall be purchasing an identical enclosure at the start of next month :) I shall go out and collect some dandelions; are there any other foods that will help? hopefully Terry's eyes will be open and he'll be eating soon :D
Although russian torts should eat no fruits you can try a strawberry or a piece of apple or banana. Main thing is that Terry starts eating.
What food do your torts know ? With what food are the fed in the past ?


Read here what they are allowed to eat:
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/

And here about care for russian torts:

https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
 
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