Help - what’s happened to my tortoise’s eyes!

Hi.

I have 2 new hermanns - they are only 8 months old. For the past 2 days they haven’t really opened their eyes and they are a white colour. Quite lethargic and not as happy as normal. What’s happened?
Set up, substrate, good leafy diet, water available, daily baths. Calcium and vitamins alternate days.

Something is wrong with the way they are kept...Please soak them daily in baby food carrots...strained carrots...tell us how they are kept...pictures are good...it sounds like a lack of nutrition OR bad light bulbs are hurting their eyes...pictures and an explanation of how they are kept will help us help you

When a turtle or tortoise stops eating the first thing that happens is their eyes swell shut from a lack of vitamin A. Of course, it could be something else too, like what Maggie said, but lack of vitamin A is most common. Next most common reason eyes swell shut is the wrong type of light is being used, or the light is too harsh or too close and there is no shade.

Please take some pictures of the enclosure, including the lights and post them for us to see.

Thank you for both replying. So they are in an open table enclosure. They have substrate from the local reptile shop. The lamp is also from there with the correct bulb. They are fed the same salad leaves they were on at their previous home. Water is available and shade is available along with their dark sleeping area. I have also given calcium and multivitamin alternate days.

Winnie&Minnie said:

Thank you for both replying. So they are in an open table enclosure. They have substrate from the local reptile shop. The lamp is also from there with the correct bulb. They are fed the same salad leaves they were on at their previous home. Water is available and shade is available along with their dark sleeping area. I have also given calcium and multivitamin alternate days.

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You most likely have many incorrect items sold to you by your reptile shop. The substrate shown is very poor and not good for tortoises. I would imagine you have improper lighting as well.

Don't be offended. We see this problem literally daily on the TFO. You will need to post pictures of everything you are using for the tortoises' care and tell us the temperatures the tortoises are experiencing if you want to receive more help.

Here is a starter link:

Winnie&Minnie said:

Thank you for both replying. So they are in an open table enclosure. They have substrate from the local reptile shop. The lamp is also from there with the correct bulb. They are fed the same salad leaves they were on at their previous home. Water is available and shade is available along with their dark sleeping area. I have also given calcium and multivitamin alternate days.

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When details are asked for that's what we need to help. You think the bulb is correct but if the info is from the pet stores there is a good chance it's not.
Details give details!

Welcome and thank you for coming here for help! You really, really need to take the time to tell us exactly what is being used in their enclosure, what exactly is the kind of lights, substrate and exact food items. Please take pictures. By taking the time and care to do this, you will get the help your little tortoises badly need right now before it is too late. Thanks!

They have a sand/soil substrate that is called Komodo. The lamp is an Arcadia ceramic clamp lamp which is hung 14 inches above the tortoise shell. Under the lamp it is 34 degrees C, the cooler end is 20/22deg C. The bulb in the lamp is a UV basking lamp.

I have just read through the above link and it seems the substrate isn’t ideal even though this is what was recommended and what those in the shop had in their enclosure.
The seller we got them from was using pellets.

Enclosure.

We have since changed the bowls to a terracotta water bowl and a slate feeding plate

The bulb is likely wrong.
They need their own separate enclosure, ne er housed in pairs
The uvb needs to be a straight tube fluorescent.
The basking needs to be 95-100F with an incandescent flood bulb
Night heat 65-70F and any needed day 80F heated should come from a ceramic heat emitter.
Humidity should be around 50% for adults, 80% for hatchings up to around 3 years
The substrate should be changed to orchid or fir bark.
Diet as much natural weeds and flowers as possible. Grocery greens-endive, arugula, escarole, water cress, dandelion, spring mix to name a few.

Winnie&Minnie said:

Thank you for both replying. So they are in an open table enclosure. They have substrate from the local reptile shop. The lamp is also from there with the correct bulb. They are fed the same salad leaves they were on at their previous home. Water is available and shade is available along with their dark sleeping area. I have also given calcium and multivitamin alternate days.

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Hello and welcome. You are quickly learning that most pet shops give bad advice and sell the wrong info. Its a jagged pill to swallow. It is very obvious from your pictures that you have gone to great effort and expense to make a perfect environment for your new babies, and its a crying shame that pet shops give out such bad info. I'm always sorry to see a good person with great intentions have to go through this. We will try to help.
Here is a short list of what needs to be fixed:
1. Never house them as pairs.
2. Viv are better for babies.
3. You've got the wrong substrate. Sand and soil should never be used, and it needs to be damp.
4. Wrong bulb. MVBs cause pyramiding.

All the correct care info is explained in detail in the link that Zovick left for you in post number 5. Questions are welcome. Please don't hesitate to argue or ask for clarification. We will be happy to explain thing in more detail in regards to any of this. Most of it is spelled out in that thread, but please, ask as many questions as you want.

Hello and welcome from Devon. I have a hermanns tortoise, who is now 23. I wish this forum had existed when we got Zola, but there was very little information around , and we just had to manage as best we could. You will find as much help as you need from experienced people here, who are up to date with recent information -take no notice of pet shops or stuff on line, though.
I am no expert, but I think you are giving your babies too much calcium - just a really tiny pinch is enough, twice a week, and I think the same for the vitamins. And rub it into the leaves so they won't be put off by the feel of the powder. I'm sure your babies will improve soon.
By the way, Zola is the most wonderful little chap, despite everything - Hermanns tortoises are the best, in my opinion, anyway !
Angie