Okay, so I am relatively new tortoise mom, I purchased a baby Redfoot this past summer. I did lots of research (although it seems like there's alway more to know) and I love him to pieces. Although he seems to be healthy overall (eating, alert, active) there are two problems. 1) his eyes are always a little swollen and 2) just recently I noticed what looks like some skin sloughing off, but not on the head or legs, just on that loose inner skin around the neck into the body/shell area. I am aware that both of these could be related to too much or too little Vitamin A, and I have seen a vet a few weeks ago (before the skin problem started) that though his eyes were a secondary infection due vitamin A deficiency. Since he's so small I was afraid of giving him too much vit A so I've been using a beta carotene spray, which is a safe means of administering vitamin A... or so i thought? His eyes have gotten much, although not completely, better (with the aid of an antibiotic & increased humidity), but now he has this skin issue. I'm scared to play with the vitamin A because I don't want to make the problem worse. Anyone else had these issues or know what I could try before making another vet trip? (vet's almost an hour away) Whenever something's wrong I stress so much since he's so little and vulnerable! I put everything I can think of below in case anyone can spot a mistake I'm making. Thank you for time & help!!!!
Diet - daily mixed field greens with a little squash, carrot, or cucumber; small piece of fruit in the afternoon, and some protein source at least once a week (dry cat food or meal worms). I put the beta-carotene/multi-vit spray 1-2x a week
Habitat - in a sweaterbox type rubbermaid thing (open top), with organic potting soil, live plants, sporangium moss, soaking dish, and hide.
Lighting/heating - I just put the UVB light on for a few hours 2-3 days a week because I read that redfoots don't need much light. I have a "day" heat light, and a infared "night" heat light too. The temp usually ranges from 65-85, the humidity I have trouble with (but I constantly mist it) & can usually keep at 40-60%
If any other info or picture would help anyone help me, let me know!!! Thanks all!
Diet - daily mixed field greens with a little squash, carrot, or cucumber; small piece of fruit in the afternoon, and some protein source at least once a week (dry cat food or meal worms). I put the beta-carotene/multi-vit spray 1-2x a week
Habitat - in a sweaterbox type rubbermaid thing (open top), with organic potting soil, live plants, sporangium moss, soaking dish, and hide.
Lighting/heating - I just put the UVB light on for a few hours 2-3 days a week because I read that redfoots don't need much light. I have a "day" heat light, and a infared "night" heat light too. The temp usually ranges from 65-85, the humidity I have trouble with (but I constantly mist it) & can usually keep at 40-60%
If any other info or picture would help anyone help me, let me know!!! Thanks all!