hermann tortoise swollen eyes

Sarah2020

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Hello and welcome, suggest change substrate to orchid bark which can be kept moist for humidity. In UK I use swell reptiles for supplies. I agree light or heat could be an issue and need checking.
Please read this care sheet to check set up.
 

ZenHerper

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That floodlight is the wrong type. It produces UVA. You need a UVB bulb. this is most likely the issue.

As mentioned previously, your temps are off. read the caresheet and make adjustments as necessary.

Have you been soaking him?
The uva is OK, but there is some data to indicate it is drying.

A good recent uva discussion here:

The uvb radiation tube they are using is fine.
 

ZenHerper

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so should i raise it suddenly or slowly rise it to 35?
Thank you for taking your time to help me!
35*C is too high for the entire enclosure. That is the basking temperature at one end only.

The rest of the habitat should stay around 28*C during the day, and the entire enclosure can safely drop to 21-22*C overnight. If you think your tort is sick, stay above 25*C overnight for the time being.

Your tort is pretty dehydrated, so it is imperative to get the substrate changed to something that can be kept damp. And daily warm-water soaking should be started right away.
 

Chefdenoel10

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so should i raise it suddenly or slowly rise it to 35?
Thank you for taking your time to help me!


I am happy to help! ?
I just hope I am.
I would raise it suddenly.
But I would put it at 32-33.
That’s like 91-93? Right?
Also @method89 said to get different bulbs.
Look for a bulb that produces “UVB”.
That’s like them getting “sunlight and calcium” for their bones to grow strong.
“UVA” is just sunlight….
It’s complicated but I can promise you this..
NO ONE on here will tell you bad information.
We are here to help in every way possible!
Glad your here!!
We will fix your problem as quick as …?
“UVA-UVB” light!! ?

I think I saw you had a T5 tube bulb?
That’s good. That’s the “UVB” you need.

The other “flood” bulb you have is rubbing me the wrong way?
I don’t know if it’s ok to use or not??

Someone????
ANYONE????
Please help!!!!

Also , @ZenHerper said to change the “flooring” .
I would do just that!!!

I know this is a lot but these tips are really helpful to fix the problem before ….
Dare I say it???….
The Vet!! ???
 

Chefdenoel10

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I am happy to help! ?
I just hope I am.
I would raise it suddenly.
But I would put it at 32-33.
That’s like 91-93? Right?
Also @method89 said to get different bulbs.
Look for a bulb that produces “UVB”.
That’s like them getting “sunlight and calcium” for their bones to grow strong.
“UVA” is just sunlight….
It’s complicated but I can promise you this..
NO ONE on here will tell you bad information.
We are here to help in every way possible!
Glad your here!!
We will fix your problem as quick as …?
“UVA-UVB” light!! ?

I think I saw you had a T5 tube bulb?
That’s good. That’s the “UVB” you need.

The other “flood” bulb you have is rubbing me the wrong way?
I don’t know if it’s ok to use or not??

Someone????
ANYONE????
Please help!!!!

Also , @ZenHerper said to change the “flooring” .
I would do just that!!!

I know this is a lot but these tips are really helpful to fix the problem before ….
Dare I say it???….
The Vet!! ???

Please disregard my message!!!
ZenHerper has the right info!!
And Kristin sent you the Bible for tortoises.
They are MYCH BETTER to listen to and follow.
I will stay on here for moral support..??❤️?
 

zolasmum

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I live in the UK too, and I have a Hermans tortoise. He has several times had problems with his eyes, and I use Viscotears Liquid Gel - you can get it over the counter in a chemist - it is a gel, and you squeeze a small blob on his eye - it stays on for longer than a liquid, which is good,and he doesn't mind it. It only costs about £3. 50, which is a lot less than a vet would charge, and seems very effective. I give Zola a blob 3or 4 times a day, and the problem soon clears up.
Best wishes from Angie
 

Chefdenoel10

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I live in the UK too, and I have a Hermans tortoise. He has several times had problems with his eyes, and I use Viscotears Liquid Gel - you can get it over the counter in a chemist - it is a gel, and you squeeze a small blob on his eye - it stays on for longer than a liquid, which is good,and he doesn't mind it. It only costs about £3. 50, which is a lot less than a vet would charge, and seems very effective. I give Zola a blob 3or 4 times a day, and the problem soon clears up.
Best wishes from Angie

Thank you for coming on here Angie!
Glad you had the right eye drops to tell her about! ❤️
I forget the things sold over here are different in the UK ??
?
 

Chefdenoel10

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Please disregard my message!!!
ZenHerper has the right info!!
And Kristin sent you the Bible for tortoises.
They are MYCH BETTER to listen to and follow.
I will stay on here for moral support..??❤️?

Sooooo sorry!!!
Sarah2020
I meant YOU sent the Bible for tortoises!!
?
 

siaana

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I live in the UK too, and I have a Hermans tortoise. He has several times had problems with his eyes, and I use Viscotears Liquid Gel - you can get it over the counter in a chemist - it is a gel, and you squeeze a small blob on his eye - it stays on for longer than a liquid, which is good,and he doesn't mind it. It only costs about £3. 50, which is a lot less than a vet would charge, and seems very effective. I give Zola a blob 3or 4 times a day, and the problem soon clears up.
Best wishes from Angie
ok thank you will do some of the eye drops i were looking at were far too expensive and had bad reviews but this seems good!
 

TeamZissou

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That floodlight is the wrong type. It produces UVA. You need a UVB bulb. this is most likely the issue.

As mentioned previously, your temps are off. read the caresheet and make adjustments as necessary.

Have you been soaking him?

This bulb is actually a regular incandescent bulb that Arcadia sells as a specialty reptile bulb. The spectrum is no different. The "Produces UVA" is just a marketing thing. I compared the spectrums in this post:

 

TeamZissou

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Sorrry to bother you all but could you kind of tell me a list of things i need to do im really confused and im only 13 new to this aha

What supplements (powders etc) are you feeding? Please provide the brand and product info as well as the frequency and amount you're feeding them, if at all.
 

method89

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This bulb is actually a regular incandescent bulb that Arcadia sells as a specialty reptile bulb. The spectrum is no different. The "Produces UVA" is just a marketing thing. I compared the spectrums in this post:

Hehhh.... very interesting. Thanks for the knowledge
 

Chefdenoel10

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Sorrry to bother you all but could you kind of tell me a list of things i need to do im really confused and im only 13 new to this aha

You are NEVER a bother….!
We will ALWAYS help you!

Ok… for starters :

1)- get those eye drops that Angie told you about. “Viscotears” about $3.

2)- bump up the temps to 32c.

3)- warm soaks for about 45 mins every day.

4)- update us with what’s going on… ?❤️?????
 

siaana

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Hi guys morning in UK i have bumped the temps to 32 degrees will be giving him a warm soak soon!! however I think one of the experts said to change to bulb or was that the floodlight could someone pls tell me what to change it to
 

siaana

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Hi guys syds eyes are still the same even after turning the temperature up to 32 degrees however it seems now he was walking a little bit he kept his eyes swollen i cant see his eyes
 

method89

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Hi guys morning in UK i have bumped the temps to 32 degrees will be giving him a warm soak soon!! however I think one of the experts said to change to bulb or was that the floodlight could someone pls tell me what to change it to
I was wrong. You have the UVB strip bulb and the UVA floodlight will be fine
 

method89

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Hi guys syds eyes are still the same even after turning the temperature up to 32 degrees however it seems now he was walking a little bit he kept his eyes swollen i cant see his eyes
His eyes won't open up immediately but if you are soaking him and changed his substrate you should start to see a positive change in the next few days.

Try posting more pictures of your setup
 

zolasmum

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Hello again - If Syd's eyes are sore, it will take a while before he wants to open them - don't panic - think how you would feel in his place! He won't want to risk opening them for a while. As well as treating Zola's eyes with Viscotears, when needed, I wipe his eyes gently every morning with a cottonwool pad dampened with cool boiled water. I have been doing it for several years now, and I think it is helpful. You might like to try it, when Syd is better, which I am sure will be soon.
How old is Syd ?
Best wishes from Angie
 
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