Russian Eye Health

[middlephipps]

Hi everyone,

I am slightly concerned about the appearance of my tortoises eyes. I have two Russians. Attached are pictures. Do you think they look sunken in or healthy? I am a new owner so I am still learning the difference between and unhealthy and healthy tortoise.

 

[deadheadvet]

Eyes look ok, the upper jaw looks severely overgrown from the angle provided.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Are the tortoises housed separately? They should be, if not. Tortoises don't do well in pairs, especially russians.

The eyes look okay in the pics, but are you still using the red bulb? Those can mess with their little brains in a variety of ways. THey shouldn't be used either.

How about UV? Are you using any? What type?

These might help you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[middlephipps]

Eyes look ok, the upper jaw looks severely overgrown from the angle provided.

Yes, I want to trim their beaks but I am not sure how. What would you recommend?

 

[middlephipps]

Hello and welcome.

Are the tortoises housed separately? They should be, if not. Tortoises don't do well in pairs, especially russians.

The eyes look okay in the pics, but are you still using the red bulb? Those can mess with their little brains in a variety of ways. THey shouldn't be used either.

How about UV? Are you using any? What type?

These might help you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

I adopted them two months ago and I have them in two separate enclosures. I am no longer using the red light. I am using a uvb bulb but it is a coil bulb, I am worried about the effects so I am in the process of ordering a long tube light to replace the coil bulb. It is a zoo med 10.0 bulb.

 

[Tom]

Yes, I want to trim their beaks but I am not sure how. What would you recommend?

Have a vet or an experienced person whose done it before show you for the fist duple of times.

 

[Tom]

I adopted them two months ago and I have them in two separate enclosures. I am no longer using the red light. I am using a uvb bulb but it is a coil bulb, I am worried about the effects so I am in the process of ordering a long tube light to replace the coil bulb. It is a zoo med 10.0 bulb.

They can go weeks with no UV. I would turn those cfl bulbs off immediately. Especially if you have eye concerns.

 

[deadheadvet]

We use a portable dremel tool to smooth the overgrowth. Requires 2 people: 1 to hold the tortoise and the second person to grab the head and with your other hand smooth out the overgrowth. Go to a vet near you and see if they will do a demo to see if it is something you feel comfortable doing.