Hermann turtle swollen eyes

[Orla]

Hi,
I am newish to keeping turtles. I have 2 box turtles.
1 a Hermann’s species, in the past week I have noticed her eyes have closed & some swelling?
What can I do to help fix this? I have been soaking her in warm water. I have rang vets, but have failed to find an exotic pet vet.
Any tips welcome.
I have ordered eye drops online but they’ll take 2 weeks to arrive.
Thanks in advance,
Very worried owner
Órla

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Substrate, lighting and low humidity are the top causes of eye irritation.

So, what substrate do you use? What kind of lighting and heat you use? And what is the humidity of your tortoises enclousure?

Also, how many toes/nails does your tortoise have? He looks like a Russian tortoise, which have really similar care to hermanns tortoises.

 

[Orla]

Substrate, lighting and low humidity are the top causes of eye irritation.

So, what substrate do you use? What kind of lighting and heat you use? And what is the humidity of your tortoises enclousure?

Also, how many toes/nails does your tortoise have? He looks like a Russian tortoise, which have really similar care to hermanns tortoises.

I have a uv lamp over the enclosure & also a heated mat under the substrate. My tortoise has 4 toes. Here’s a picture of the substrate. Taken earlier this year.

I’m just surprised that his eyes have closed so fast only within the past week & I’m worried that because he can’t see, he’s not eating

Grateful for any help/advice given

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I have a uv lamp over the enclosure & also a heated mat under the substrate. My tortoise has 4 toes. Here’s a picture of the substrate. Taken earlier this year.

I’m just surprised that his eyes have closed so fast only within the past week & I’m worried that because he can’t see, he’s not eating

Grateful for any help/advice given

Hello!
Those tortoises on the photo - are not box turtles. Their primary diet is leafy greens. Fruit and insects/worms should not be fed on regular basis if ever.

Closed eyes can be due vitamin A deficiency if they don't eat enough greens.

 

[Orla]

Hello!
Those tortoises on the photo - are not box turtles. Their primary diet is leafy greens. Fruit and insects/worms should not be fed on regular basis if ever.

Closed eyes can be due vitamin A deficiency if they don't eat enough greens.

Thank you for information,
They only get the worms once a month. I only give them greens with a calcium dusting.

Any tips on how to help the swollen eyes?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you for information,
They only get the worms once a month. I only give them greens with a calcium dusting.

Any tips on how to help the swollen eyes?

1. Please, no worms anymore. They will do fine without animal protein. And mealworms aren't good food source for those animals who eat them.
2. What UVB lamp do you use? A photo of the box or label on the lamp are the most informative. What is the distance between lamp and substrate?
3. Tortoise needs some long warm bathings (water temperature 33-34C, 30 minutes). You can also add baby carrot puree (like Garber's) to the soaking container - 1:1 with water. This may give required vitamin boost in case of vitamin A deficiency. Offer food right after bathing.
4. What substrate do you use? I can't tell from photo. I doubt the eyes shut from substrate irritation but you can use sterile saline solution from pharmacy to gently flush them.

Does tortoise move at all, goes to bathroom?

 

[zolasmum]

My Hermann's tortoise occasionally gets dry eyes, and I put a blob of Viscotears on them. I am in England, and I can get it from any pharmacy - it is more of a gel, which takes longer to run off than saline solution.Also I gently wipe each eye with a cottonwool pad dampened in boiled cooled water- I do this every morning ,even when his eyes are ok (which they are, most of the time)
Angie