Help with sick sulcata

Rocco's family said:

Quick question- this morning Rocco had excessive tears streaming down his face. I've been taking care to really regulate the night box temps so it doesn't get too hot, and my temp stick showed it stayed between 83-85 during the night. Should I be worried?

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As mentioned above, this species is known for their crying eyes. This naturally happens to decrease debris or irritants in the eyes. If your days are warming up above 70 degrees and the sun is out for a good part of the day, then you can bring the night temps down to about 78 degrees. If the day time is still filled with marine layer and never warming up above 70 degrees then leave the night temps at 80-82. We house over 150+ Sulcatas and we see this happen when it is very warm, windy, dusty or they have been digging in the dirt. Some will have both eyes, some just one. It varies and not all have it. You want to pay attention to the daily temps. Usually, their houses would not need to be heated this time of year, however because you are down by the ocean and the excessive marine layer has been sticking around lately, you do not want him cold constantly. That is what is making him not feel good. He has to be able to come out and bask during the day to warm his core.

Do you lock him in his house at night or can he come out freely if he wants to?

I just read the whole thread. It sounds like you were doing everything right, and I don't see an obvious cause of your problem. My best guess is the prolonged June gloom we had this year, so the warm temps probably helped prevent this from being an even bigger problem. I would leave the temps higher, and I would not worry about the tears.

You've gotten great advice from JoJo's mom and the other posters here on your thread. I also use large horse troughs for soaking the big ones, and I have someone help me lift them in when they are that large. Make sure you are using warm water for the soaks, and keep it warm in your cooler climate. It was 104 up here today. I had no trouble keeping my soak water warm today.

I think you also learned that vets don't know tortoises. You never inject a tortoise with vitamin A. Everything they eat is full of vitamin A. Also, what antibiotic did they inject? If it was Baytril, that is extremely painful to them and you need to watch for infection or skin sloughing at the injection site.

I'm glad he's feeling better and I hope that the trend continues.

Tom said:

I just read the whole thread. It sounds like you were doing everything right, and I don't see an obvious cause of your problem. My best guess is the prolonged June gloom we had this year, so the warm temps probably helped prevent this from being an even bigger problem. I would leave the temps higher, and I would not worry about the tears.

You've gotten great advice from JoJo's mom and the other posters here on your thread. I also use large horse troughs for soaking the big ones, and I have someone help me lift them in when they are that large. Make sure you are using warm water for the soaks, and keep it warm in your cooler climate. It was 104 up here today. I had no trouble keeping my soak water warm today.

I think you also learned that vets don't know tortoises. You never inject a tortoise with vitamin A. Everything they eat is full of vitamin A. Also, what antibiotic did they inject? If it was Baytril, that is extremely painful to them and you need to watch for infection or skin sloughing at the injection site.

I'm glad he's feeling better and I hope that the trend continues.

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Apparently the vets administered the vitamin injections without consulting with the owner first!
This would make me go totally ballistic.
Unbelievable.

TammyJ said:

Apparently the vets administered the vitamin injections without consulting with the owner first!
This would make me go totally ballistic.
Unbelievable.

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Agreed. That is why I won't let them take my animals to the back without me. Same with my child. People can't be trusted. Ignorance and greed abound.

TammyJ said:

Apparently the vets administered the vitamin injections without consulting with the owner first!
This would make me go totally ballistic.
Unbelievable.

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I was going mental in my head when I read that, too! They should get sued or something, because that is not ETHICAL OR CONSENSUAL! Mofos... (sorry not sorry)

Tom said:

Agreed. That is why I won't let them take my animals to the back without me. Same with my child. People can't be trusted. Ignorance and greed abound.

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Totally! Where he/she goes, I go!

Quick update: slow and steady! He's still not himself, but is eating a bit more each day and yesterday grazed a bit!

Alice Sulcatia said:

I was going mental in my head when I read that, too! They should get sued or something, because that is not ETHICAL OR CONSENSUAL! Mofos... (sorry not sorry)

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Rocco's family said:

Quick update: slow and steady! He's still not himself, but is eating a bit more each day and yesterday grazed a bit!

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Quick update: slow and steady! He's still not himself, but is eating a bit more each day and yesterday grazed a bit and basked without trying to hide Good signs, right?

I wasn't online for a bit but just read the newer messages- thank you all! I don't have a ton of experience with vets- this has definitely been a learning experience. How do you find a vet that knows what they're doing??

To answer some of the above questions-

Yes, we do lock him in at night because we get lots of random critters in the yard and because it does get down into the 60's at night here during the summer, even if it's been in the mid 80's during the day, and the marine layer comes in so it's pretty wet during the night. We don't want him going out in the night and falling asleep out there.

We have been pulling him out of his house to bask in the warmest part of the day. Until yesterday he would soak a bit, eat a bit and then immediately try to hide. Yesterday he stayed out and basked!! Yay!!

I'm not sure what antibiotic was used. She just said "broad spectrum." How do you know where the injection site is? Is there a spot they would normally do it so I can be checking it? Or do I need to call and ask them? I'd rather not go back there. I am really unsure though how to find a vet that actually knows what to do. They are the only ones I could find in the area that said they take exotics. Anyone know of a good place in Orange County area? We could even go into LA/Riverside or toward San Diego, but I also don't want to stress Rocco out (he hates riding in the car) more than necessary.

Thank you all!! I feel very supported!

Rocco's family said:

Quick update: slow and steady! He's still not himself, but is eating a bit more each day and yesterday grazed a bit and basked without trying to hide Good signs, right?

I wasn't online for a bit but just read the newer messages- thank you all! I don't have a ton of experience with vets- this has definitely been a learning experience. How do you find a vet that knows what they're doing??

To answer some of the above questions-

Yes, we do lock him in at night because we get lots of random critters in the yard and because it does get down into the 60's at night here during the summer, even if it's been in the mid 80's during the day, and the marine layer comes in so it's pretty wet during the night. We don't want him going out in the night and falling asleep out there.

We have been pulling him out of his house to bask in the warmest part of the day. Until yesterday he would soak a bit, eat a bit and then immediately try to hide. Yesterday he stayed out and basked!! Yay!!

I'm not sure what antibiotic was used. She just said "broad spectrum." How do you know where the injection site is? Is there a spot they would normally do it so I can be checking it? Or do I need to call and ask them? I'd rather not go back there. I am really unsure though how to find a vet that actually knows what to do. They are the only ones I could find in the area that said they take exotics. Anyone know of a good place in Orange County area? We could even go into LA/Riverside or toward San Diego, but I also don't want to stress Rocco out (he hates riding in the car) more than necessary.

Thank you all!! I feel very supported!

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Do you want to go to Vista to a certified exotics vet that I know? Her name is Laila Proenca and she used to be the head of exotics at Veterinary Clinics of America (VCA) in Los Angeles. Or maybe you could call VCA in LA and get a referral to a good exotics vet in your area.

Laila has now started Petahead, a new veterinary practice in Vista. Here is a link to the web site: https://petahead.pet/laila-proenca/

And to her Instagram


At the bottom of the page are the contact info and ways to make appointments (even online or telemed).

If Vistan is too far and you need an in-person visit, you can try calling or emailing Dr. Laila Proenza to see if she can give you a referral. Tell her Dr. William Zovickian recommended you to contact her.

Just FYI, Laila studied Exotics at the University of GA Veterinary School and treated a number of my tortoises while she was earning her Exotics certification. She is very knowledgeable and also a very nice person.