Advice Needed Help (eyes closed)

TerryKH

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Hi all,

I hope everyone is well.

My name is Terry based in the UK and have a year old horsefield tortoise.

I need advice.

I have a year old horsefield tortoise and first year of experiencing seasonal change in the UK.

He went into brumation towards the end of October. He's started to become a little bit more active but he's eyes are still closed. He's always moved around during brumation.

I bath him twice a week to keep him hydrated and weigh him at the same time.

Does anyone know if it's normal to still have eyes closed? At this stage?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.


Many thanks,


Terry
 

Yvonne G

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No, not normal. A tortoise's eyes open when he's up and moving around. Just FYI, he's not "holding" them closed, they're stuck shut. Keep soaking in warm water, but do it daily for about a half hour each time, and raise the temperature in his enclosure to (sorry I don't know celcius) 85F degrees all over the whole enclosure, even at night.
 

wellington

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Be sure while soaking you drip some water over his head/eyes too.
Be sure the water stays warm the whole time.
Also be sure to give a basking area of 95-100F
 

TerryKH

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Any idea how long it takes to reopen eyes? Shall I give it a week before I book an appointment at the vets
 

Cathie G

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I keep a tortoise eye wash around for my tortoise and maybe you could use it in between the soaks. I use Flukers but the experts here could tell you maybe a better one.to use. Also, if they think you shouldn't use an eye wash listen to them.🤗🙏
 

zolasmum

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I keep a tortoise eye wash around for my tortoise and maybe you could use it in between the soaks. I use Flukers but the experts here could tell you maybe a better one.to use. Also, if they think you shouldn't use an eye wash listen to them.🤗🙏
I live in the UK too, and I get something called Viscotears liquid gel for Zola, if his eyes look sticky - it is a gel, so is easy to put in the right spot, and will turn liquid once it is on there. It is quite cheap, and you can get it at a chemist such as Boots. It is intended for humans, but is quite safe.A vet would probably give you a similar but more expensive version. I am not an expert, so if anyone who is says don't use it, then listen to them. I have used it for Zola several times over the past 20 years, with no problems, however.
Best wishes from Angie
 

TerryKH

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I live in the UK too, and I get something called Viscotears liquid gel for Zola, if his eyes look sticky - it is a gel, so is easy to put in the right spot, and will turn liquid once it is on there. It is quite cheap, and you can get it at a chemist such as Boots. It is intended for humans, but is quite safe.A vet would probably give you a similar but more expensive version. I am not an expert, so if anyone who is says don't use it, then listen to them. I have used it for Zola several times over the past 20 years, with no problems, however.
Best wishes from Angie
Hi Angie,

Thank you for your reply.

Is it a common problem with tortoise having sticky eyes after brumation? I can see he's trying to open them.

I will keep in mind the liquid gel. Any idea how long to keep bathing his eyes until a visit to the vet?

I'm not really sure what to do, keep bathing them every day for a week or book any appointment. I don't know how quickly bathing will do the trick and no idea how long it's supposed to take to free the eye lids


Many thanks,

Terry
 

Maggie3fan

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No, not normal. A tortoise's eyes open when he's up and moving around. Just FYI, he's not "holding" them closed, they're stuck shut. Keep soaking in warm water, but do it daily for about a half hour each time, and raise the temperature in his enclosure to (sorry I don't know celcius) 85F degrees all over the whole enclosure, even at night.
abt 29 celcius
 

zolasmum

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Hi Angie,

Thank you for your reply.

Is it a common problem with tortoise having sticky eyes after brumation? I can see he's trying to open them.

I will keep in mind the liquid gel. Any idea how long to keep bathing his eyes until a visit to the vet?

I'm not really sure what to do, keep bathing them every day for a week or book any appointment. I don't know how quickly bathing will do the trick and no idea how long it's supposed to take to free the eye lids


Many thanks,

Terry
Hello again Terry - I wouldn't arrange a vet appointment just yet - just keep bathing his eyes for now - if he is trying to open them, it shouldn't be too long. With Zola, I should have mentioned that I gently wipe his eyes every morning with a cottonwool pad moistened with cooled boiled water - he is used to it, and doesn't make a fuss - ever since his original bit of trouble - it seemed a sensible thing to do. And do
keep up the temperature, to help the process of coming out of brumation.
Do you actually have a vet you have been to previously? I don't think it would help to see one at this stage, and the journey and experience might stress your little chap. What is your tortoise's name, by the way?
Angie
 

TerryKH

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Hello again Terry - I wouldn't arrange a vet appointment just yet - just keep bathing his eyes for now - if he is trying to open them, it shouldn't be too long. With Zola, I should have mentioned that I gently wipe his eyes every morning with a cottonwool pad moistened with cooled boiled water - he is used to it, and doesn't make a fuss - ever since his original bit of trouble - it seemed a sensible thing to do. And do
keep up the temperature, to help the process of coming out of brumation.
Do you actually have a vet you have been to previously? I don't think it would help to see one at this stage, and the journey and experience might stress your little chap. What is your tortoise's name, by the way?
Angie
Hi Angie,

Thank you for the advice. I will continue with the bathing. I do have a vet I've been to in the past with my rabbits, but not with Freddie.

Terry
 

TammyJ

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You need to try and locate a real reptile or tortoise specialist if you don't see any changes. A regular cat and dog etc. Vet would probably do more harm than good.
 

zolasmum

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Sorry me again.

How long does it take to show improvements?
Hello Terry - it's perfectly natural to worry with a baby tortoise, but I would wait a bit longer - like you suggested, until next week, maybe. Tortoises can be very slow to recover from health problems - and that is quite normal - just keep up with the water and the heat. You might want to check out which local vets have real experience with tortoises anyway, for future reference. What about the Viscotears or similar? It doesn't have any antibiotic or other medical ingredients, and I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm.
Best wishes to you and Freddie
Angie
 

Yvonne G

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Since swollen shut eyes is also a symptom of lack of vitamin A, it wouldn't hurt to add strained baby food carrots to the daily soaking water (50%/50%). Human baby food strained carrots is high in vitamin A and is absorbed through the thin skin on the throat and around the cloaca. Use a smallish bowl with tall sides (so he can't climb out) and set the bowl back in the enclosure NEXT to where the light hits the floor (but not directly under the light). Leave him in there for an hour or so. This regimen has always worked for me and you should see open eyes at the end of three days.
 

TerryKH

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Hello Terry - it's perfectly natural to worry with a baby tortoise, but I would wait a bit longer - like you suggested, until next week, maybe. Tortoises can be very slow to recover from health problems - and that is quite normal - just keep up with the water and the heat. You might want to check out which local vets have real experience with tortoises anyway, for future reference. What about the Viscotears or similar? It doesn't have any antibiotic or other medical ingredients, and I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm.
Best wishes to you and Freddie
Angie
Thanks Angie I might try the Viscotears over the weekend if I don't see improvements.

Yep I'm worrying over the poor little fella
 

TerryKH

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Since swollen shut eyes is also a symptom of lack of vitamin A, it wouldn't hurt to add strained baby food carrots to the daily soaking water (50%/50%). Human baby food strained carrots is high in vitamin A and is absorbed through the thin skin on the throat and around the cloaca. Use a smallish bowl with tall sides (so he can't climb out) and set the bowl back in the enclosure NEXT to where the light hits the floor (but not directly under the light). Leave him in there for an hour or so. This regimen has always worked for me and you should see open eyes at the end of three days.
 

TerryKH

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Thanks Yvonne

Funny enough I read that last night. I've got a blender and I can do a carrot mix. I'll start that tomorrow and see if any improvements over the weekend.
 

zolasmum

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I do hope Freddie starts getting better soon - please be sure to keep us informed - and a photo of him will be nice when he is ok !
Angie
 

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