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- Nov 17, 2013
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- 3,447
I think that your temperatures are too low, especially for a tortoise that is not acting very well. I would recommend keeping the entire vivarium at a minimum of 30 C (85F) and the basking area could be as high as 35 C. (95F)Hi everyone.
I am new here but have been coming to these forums for info since I got my Horsefield, Tucker last April.
From April until 2 weeks ago I had a happy, healthy and cheeky little tortoise. About 2 weeks ago I noticed he didn't come running for breakfast as usual. On further investigation I realised he couldn't open his eyes and both nostrils had seemingly disappeared.
We went to the vets and she gave me some saline and some eye drops to use 3 times a day and asked me to take him back after a week. I cleaned his eyes 3 times a day as requested, and then put his drops in about 20-30 mins later. A week passed and things were pretty much the same. However, typically, when we got there the second time he had opened his eyes. She said she saw a definite improvement. His weight had gone down within a week from 107g to 105g as he hasn't eaten since first vet visit. She gave him a tube feed on tuesday at our second visit, just to give him something because he is so small. He tolerated it and kept it down. She said to continue with cleaning and drops and back in another week (due back Tuesday). She also suggested Reptoboost to put in water when I soak him which I've been doing daily. His eyes haven't opened like they were at the vets... when I get him out to clean and do his drops he opens them slightly after 5 mins or so. But as soon as I put him down he goes straight back to sleep. He isn't active, still won't eat. I have temporarily removed substrate from his viv to avoid it sticking to his eyes. Temp in viv is between 22-26°c with basking spot of about 30°. Humidity is generally 45-55. He has a UV tube light (exo terra brand) and an infrared basking spot light (also exo terra). Both recently changed (after his eye problem started, in case that was the problem). Any ideas as to what else I could be trying as it seems like he isn't really improving?
Vet said if no better by tuesday she may have to teach me how to give him injections of antibiotics🤷♀️
I feel like such a bad tortoise mum right now😔😔 any advice appreciated.
Tuckers Mum x