- Joined
- Feb 23, 2012
- Messages
- 1
Hermann's Tort.
Large table
UVB/Heat combo
cypress mulch substate
approx. 35 weeks old (tiny little guy)
Hello,
I noticed Einstein walking around his table one day with his eyes closed. Up until this point I had been using a cheapo aquarium therm. for temp. regulation. When I noticed this I bought one of the expensive laser pointer kinds. I realized his basking temp. was too hot. 102-103 F although the other end of the table was in the 70's, (was he too young to be able to get away from the heat?) Or perhaps this has nothing to do with my issues. Anyways... He still kept his eyes closed once I adjusted the temp. So I took a q-tip and dripped water on his eyes, he would open them after this and I noticed some white spots on his eyes. He would ONLY open his eyes after the water and for only a few mins. after this. I called the vet and sent her picts. She told me to give him 1-2 drops of cod liver oil and apply terramycin ointment. It has been about a week and he does open his eyes a lot more but he still has the same white spots, and still walks around with the closed often. He will keep them open during and after soaking, eating and a little after, and after I apply the eye ointment. He does NOT have any symptoms of a runny nose. He has quit eating his greens, and will only eat tomatoes. I know tomatoes are a "TREAT ONLY" food but when he doesn't eat his greens I assume I should let him eat something. He seems to eat those very well as well as the pellet food that the seller gave to me. He also seems to be going the bathroom normally. He does seem a bit sluggish but I have NEVER been around tortoises and I am not sure what they are supposed to act like. He NEVER goes to the cool side of the table he'll stay at the warm end or in-between. But his is not new though. I want to include everything.
One more thing (may not be a prob.) : I also noticed that the top and bottom of his plastron is hard, but the middle tends to give a little, at what point is soft too soft? how hard should this be... keep in mind he is really young!
Also the cypress substrate seems to have small pieces that stick to his eyes, mouth, face etc. Should I change to something else??? this is what was recommended. Someone please help! the Internet is so contradicting! I am making him a vet appointment tomorrow, I just would like someone who maybe has gone through the same thing , or knows something about this to let me know what is going on.... any ideas?
thanks
ashleigh
Large table
UVB/Heat combo
cypress mulch substate
approx. 35 weeks old (tiny little guy)
Hello,
I noticed Einstein walking around his table one day with his eyes closed. Up until this point I had been using a cheapo aquarium therm. for temp. regulation. When I noticed this I bought one of the expensive laser pointer kinds. I realized his basking temp. was too hot. 102-103 F although the other end of the table was in the 70's, (was he too young to be able to get away from the heat?) Or perhaps this has nothing to do with my issues. Anyways... He still kept his eyes closed once I adjusted the temp. So I took a q-tip and dripped water on his eyes, he would open them after this and I noticed some white spots on his eyes. He would ONLY open his eyes after the water and for only a few mins. after this. I called the vet and sent her picts. She told me to give him 1-2 drops of cod liver oil and apply terramycin ointment. It has been about a week and he does open his eyes a lot more but he still has the same white spots, and still walks around with the closed often. He will keep them open during and after soaking, eating and a little after, and after I apply the eye ointment. He does NOT have any symptoms of a runny nose. He has quit eating his greens, and will only eat tomatoes. I know tomatoes are a "TREAT ONLY" food but when he doesn't eat his greens I assume I should let him eat something. He seems to eat those very well as well as the pellet food that the seller gave to me. He also seems to be going the bathroom normally. He does seem a bit sluggish but I have NEVER been around tortoises and I am not sure what they are supposed to act like. He NEVER goes to the cool side of the table he'll stay at the warm end or in-between. But his is not new though. I want to include everything.
One more thing (may not be a prob.) : I also noticed that the top and bottom of his plastron is hard, but the middle tends to give a little, at what point is soft too soft? how hard should this be... keep in mind he is really young!
Also the cypress substrate seems to have small pieces that stick to his eyes, mouth, face etc. Should I change to something else??? this is what was recommended. Someone please help! the Internet is so contradicting! I am making him a vet appointment tomorrow, I just would like someone who maybe has gone through the same thing , or knows something about this to let me know what is going on.... any ideas?
thanks
ashleigh