Help! Sick baby Sulcata

[ben32hayt]

I am very happy s/he are and is perking up! I want to thank everyone for their help and I will keep you all updated on the situation!

 

[ben32hayt]

Good news! My little guy has been perking up and has gotten his/her appetite back! here are some pictures I took of my bright sulcata

 

[mike taylor]

What substrate are you using ? It looks like potting soil . If it has the little white foam balls in it I would get that out of there. Go with coco coir and cypress mulch . Your little tortoise will try to eat it and you nay have more problems than just the eyes.

 

[ben32hayt]

What substrate are you using ? It looks like potting soil . If it has the little white foam balls in it I would get that out of there. Go with coco coir and cypress mulch . Your little tortoise will try to eat it and you nay have more problems than just the eyes.

It is top soil with vermiculite. Will the vermiculite harm him/her from what I have seen it is used as a substrate for eggs and hatchlings when they are first born. I usually use the exact mix you stated but I wanted to try something different. Hope this was not a big mistake. Thanks, Ben

 

[mike taylor]

I would ask Tom to be 100% sure. I think I read something on here Tom posted about it impacting inside of them.

 

[ben32hayt]

Ok I will change it tonight just to make sure!

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Ok I will change it tonight just to make sure!

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Eek, no vermiculite and no perlite. Both can cause problems. Impaction. Danger, danger Will Robinson.
Perlite is amorphous volcanic glass. Yes, glass.
As for vermiculite, some have asbestos. I know. Freak out.
Coco coir is wonderful and you can wash and reuse it for years. Fine grade orchid mulch is also an I like. Without, the above added.
So happy you got rid of that coil bulb and that baby is recovering from it. Yay! : )

 

[ben32hayt]

Just ordered some coco coir should be here by tomorrow