Russian With Eye Problems

[Fielding]

Hello,

We have 15 tortoises – Leopards, Greeks and Russians – that have been doing well with us for over 20 years; however, one of our Russians has developed a serious eye problem. His eyes are swollen and as you can see, there are nodules or growths of some kind all around his eyes. I have been treating him with Terramycin and Ciprofloxacin, but neither seems to be helping. Does anyone know what this is, what may have caused it and is there anything else I should be doing? Thank you!

Steve

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Maybe @zovick can help you.

What other symptoms does he have? Are his eyes watery? Is he rubbing them? Blinking or keeping them closed for long periods of time while awake? How is his appetite and activity?

Do his eyes seem better right after a soak or in the morning? Are you quarantining him from other tortoises?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh poor thing

Would you mind trying to answer these questions? It could really help with advising!

Is he indoors or outdoors?
Is he housed with other Russians? If so how many?

If indoors..
What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently? What do you use as substrate?

A photo of his full enclosure would be great!

 

[zovick]

Hello,

We have 15 tortoises – Leopards, Greeks and Russians – that have been doing well with us for over 20 years; however, one of our Russians has developed a serious eye problem. His eyes are swollen and as you can see, there are nodules or growths of some kind all around his eyes. I have been treating him with Terramycin and Ciprofloxacin, but neither seems to be helping. Does anyone know what this is, what may have caused it and is there anything else I should be doing? Thank you!

Steve

I would recommend using Neo-Poly-Dex Veterinary Ophthalmic drops. Put a drop into each eye twice a day and see if the situation improves. Note, you will need to get these drops from a vet or with a vet's prescription.

A visit to a good reptile vet might also be helpful. If you are in or near Los Angeles, I know a very good exotics vet there. The last I knew, this information was current for her:

Laila M. Proença, MV, DVM, MS, PhD

Director of the Exotic Animal Medicine Program

VCA Animal Hospitals, 12401 W. Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90064, 1 (800) 966-1822


Associate Veterinarian at the Avian & Exotics Department

VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, 1900 S Sepulveda Blvd,

Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 473-2951

If you call her, tell her I referred you (Dr. William H. Zovickian). She will give you very good care.

 

[Fielding]

Maybe @zovick can help you.

What other symptoms does he have? Are his eyes watery? Is he rubbing them? Blinking or keeping them closed for long periods of time while awake? How is his appetite and activity?

Do his eyes seem better right after a soak or in the morning? Are you quarantining him from other tortoises?

Thank you for your reply. He does rub his eyes a bit and seems to be having a little trouble seeing which is not surprising, but he is eating although he spends most of the day in the hut sleeping. I have been soaking him in warm water daily and applying one or the other of the ocular antibiotics, but he's not improving. He is with one other male Russian. These two don't fignt and the other has not exhibited any problems.

 

[Fielding]

I would recommend using Neo-Poly-Dex Veterinary Ophthalmic drops. Put a drop into each eye twice a day and see if the situation improves. Note, you will need to get these drops from a vet or with a vet's prescription.

A visit to a good reptile vet might also be helpful. If you are in or near Los Angeles, I know a very good exotics vet there. The last I knew, this information was current for her:

Laila M. Proença, MV, DVM, MS, PhD

Director of the Exotic Animal Medicine Program

VCA Animal Hospitals, 12401 W. Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90064, 1 (800) 966-1822


Associate Veterinarian at the Avian & Exotics Department

VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, 1900 S Sepulveda Blvd,

Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 473-2951

If you call her, tell her I referred you (Dr. William H. Zovickian). She will give you very good care.

That's great - thank you so much for taking the time to respond with the med suggestion and referral. Do you have any idea what the problem is or what may have caused this??

 

[zovick]

That's great - thank you so much for taking the time to respond with the med suggestion and referral. Do you have any idea what the problem is or what may have caused this??

Unfortunately, I cannot say what exactly the problem is. I can say that the eyelids look terribly irritated for some reason. It could be an infection, blocked lacrimal ducts, an allergic reaction, or possibly something else which I haven't considered.

 

[Fielding]

Unfortunately, I cannot say what exactly the problem is. I can say that the eyelids look terribly irritated for some reason. It could be an infection, blocked lacrimal ducts, an allergic reaction, or possibly something else which I haven't considered.

Thanks once again for your reply and feedback - much appreciated!