Bubbles in eyes

[HollyH1697]

I've got two baby Spur Tighed tortoises Bam and Iggy.

Iggy has developed small bubbles in his eyes. I've been giving him eye drops and the bubbles have stopped in one eye but have developed in another. He's had no loss of energy or appetite that I've noticed.
Any advice would be welcome before having to see a vet.
Thank you all!

 

[Gillian M]

I've got two baby Spur Tighed tortoises Bam and Iggy.

Iggy has developed small bubbles in his eyes. I've been giving him eye drops and the bubbles have stopped in one eye but have developed in another. He's had no loss of energy or appetite that I've noticed.
Any advice would be welcome before having to see a vet.
Thank you all!

Please post pictures of your torts and their enclosures, so as to enable us to help you more easily. And keep them separated so as to avoid bullying.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Holly, and welcome to the Forum!

By "spur thigh" I'm assuming you mean Greek tortoises? Bubbles in the corner of the eyes sometimes means the tortoise is too hot. The bubbles tend to cool off the face for the tortoise.

Do you soak your babies daily?

 

[Tom]

I've got two baby Spur Tighed tortoises Bam and Iggy.

Iggy has developed small bubbles in his eyes. I've been giving him eye drops and the bubbles have stopped in one eye but have developed in another. He's had no loss of energy or appetite that I've noticed.
Any advice would be welcome before having to see a vet.
Thank you all!

Hello and welcome. We need more info.

What substrate are you using?
Are they housed together as a pair?
What heating and lighting equipment? UV? What kind of bulb?
Where are you?

 

[HollyH1697]

These are pictures of Iggy's bubbly eye (though there is far less bubbles than usual because he's just woken up), their indoor and outdoor enclosures.
I have everyday plan to separate them when they are older if there is ever any signs of bullying, which there hasn't been at all yet.
I used to soak them every day but was advised against it, I've been soaking them every three days since.
I'm using a substrate that is said to be made especially for Mediterranean tortoises (sorry I don't exact name).
I've got a 50W UVB/ basking lamp which I use for them.

 

[Gillian M]

These are pictures of Iggy's bubbly eye (though there is far less bubbles than usual because he's just woken up), their indoor and outdoor enclosures.
I have everyday plan to separate them when they are older if there is ever any signs of bullying, which there hasn't been at all yet.
I used to soak them every day but was advised against it, I've been soaking them every three days since.
I'm using a substrate that is said to be made especially for Mediterranean tortoises (sorry I don't exact name).
I've got a 50W UVB/ basking lamp which I use for them.

View attachment 180216 View attachment 180217 View attachment 180218

Where do you live? if I may ask. If the climate back there is a dry one, I suggest you soak your torts daily.

 

[Tom]

I see a few things worth mentioning.
1. That substrate is a really bad idea. Encouraging a tortoise to eat is substrate to satisfy calcium cravings is a good way to get them impacted. That stuff is also way too dry. Use orchid bark or coco coir instead, and keep it damp.
2. Tortoises should not be kept in pairs. Their does not need to be open hostility for this to be an issue. The mere presence of the more dominant tortoise is very intimidating and over time the chronic stress can lead to problems. Like eye issues, for example…
3. The ramped water bowl in the outdoor enclosure is literally a tortoise death trap. Tortoises flip and drown in those far too often. Best to use a terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate.
4. A lone 50 watt bulb, does not sound like enough for that size enclosure, especially in your climate. You are in the UK, right? What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking area and overnight low?

This was typed up for russians, but care is essentially the same for most Testudo species.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

This might offer some insight too:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Gillian M]

Bubbles in eyes can be a sign of dehydration. That's what my Tort did but now I bathe him every other day

I soak Oli twice and at even three times a day when it gets VERY hot.