Shelly

[Megatron's Mom]

It doesn't really matter if you seen Shelly scratching the eye outside too. If the eye is irritated it will happen anywhere. Until it is fully healed and no longer itchy, scratching it indoors or outdoors will not pinpoint to anything. Since Shelly is indoor more than out. My best guess would be the substrate, until the eye is healed Shelly will continue to scratch at it. It is going to take weeks if not months for the scratching to stop. Change out the substrate and give the eye time.

 

[jharrris]

It doesn't really matter if you seen Shelly scratching the eye outside too. If the eye is irritated it will happen anywhere. Until it is fully healed and no longer itchy, scratching it indoors or outdoors will not pinpoint to anything. Since Shelly is indoor more than out. My best guess would be the substrate, until the eye is healed Shelly will continue to scratch at it. It is going to take weeks if not months for the scratching to stop. Change out the substrate and give the eye time.

Will do!

 

[wellington]

I use the same substrate in the outdoor enclosure. But I've also had him in the yard and whatnot and seen it happen. Although, something like the substrate getting in his eyes could cause the irritation which persists regardless of where he is

Are you seeing it get irritated outside or she keeps scratching at it?
Has it ever healed?
If it has never healed and she's scratching at it, then that's expected everywhere.
But if it has healed and then you have seen it start up again, that's what you need to figure out, where is she that it's starting up again.
If the substrate is the only thing that is both inside and out then yes, start there.
But she will scratch at it until it's healed even after you remove the substrate so expect it for a while.

 

[jharrris]

Are you seeing it get irritated outside or she keeps scratching at it?
Has it ever healed?
If it has never healed and she's scratching at it, then that's expected everywhere.
But if it has healed and then you have seen it start up again, that's what you need to figure out, where is she that it's starting up again.
If the substrate is the only thing that is both inside and out then yes, start there.
But she will scratch at it until it's healed even after you remove the substrate so expect it for a while.

I mean it's just hard to know if it's ever healed or not. Cause the scratching just keeps happening intermittently. I feel like I never noticed it at the end of rounds of eye drops from the vet but it still could have been happening without me realizing it. No visual indication of anything wrong, which makes it hard to tell. Except that occasionally the eyes puff out a little for one second at the same time as when they they get scratched and that's it. Other than the scratching there is zero behavior changes. And the official vet diagnosis was conjunctivitis, so that's not an assumption by me

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yeah I’m still thinking best bet is changing substrate for now and we’ll go from there, it’ll still take time to settle if that has been what’s causing it so I’d give it a week or two with the new stuff

 

[jharrris]

So I noticed a big spot of what looks like white mold on the fabric pond liner. Tried to clean it but it didn't come off so I cut it off. Behind it, it looks like there's mold on the dry plywood (pictured). I put pond shield on the lower parts of the wood that I assumed would have the potential to be affected by the humidity. Maybe that's causing the health problems?

At this point, I can't really afford to build a whole new enclosure out of expanded PVC or something that won't get moldy. I could barely afford to fix the way my dad had been keeping this tortoise in the first place and it's just stressing me out too much.I love Shelly a lot and it hurts but I'm wondering if I need to find someone with more money and expertise who could adopt him. Is there anyone here close to Greenville SC who can help?

 

[jharrris]

So I noticed a big spot of what looks like white mold on the fabric pond liner. Tried to clean it but it didn't come off so I cut it off. Behind it, it looks like there's mold on the dry plywood (pictured). I put pond shield on the lower parts of the wood that I assumed would have the potential to be affected by the humidity. Maybe that's causing the health problems?

At this point, I can't really afford to build a whole new enclosure out of expanded PVC or something that won't get moldy. I could barely afford to fix the way my dad had been keeping this tortoise in the first place and it's just stressing me out too much.I love Shelly a lot and it hurts but I'm wondering if I need to find someone with more money and expertise who could adopt him. Is there anyone here close to Greenville SC who can help?

Unless this would work? https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-P...VoExHAR1Y2ConEAQYASABEgLhuPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@EppsDynasty might be able to help. He has an amazing California based rescue.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Unless this would work? https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-P...VoExHAR1Y2ConEAQYASABEgLhuPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I can't open the link, I will try in another browser.

 

[jharrris]

@EppsDynasty might be able to help. He has an amazing California based rescue.

If I end up needing it I will reach out to him.

 

[jharrris]

I can't open the link, I will try in another browser.

Weird. It's just a plastic 4x8 panel I think, don't see why it wouldn't work for an enclosure but I wanted to check and see first

 

[jharrris]

My concern is that it's 0.06 inch and I'm worried about how sturdy it would be. But it's used for shower panels and shelves

Weird. It's just a plastic 4x8 panel I think, don't see why it wouldn't work for an enclosure but I wanted to check and see first

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

My concern is that it's 0.06 inch and I'm worried about how sturdy it would be. But it's used for shower panels and shelves

Do you plan to build an enclosure using these panels or line out existing?

 

[jharrris]

Do you plan to build an enclosure using these panels or line out existing?

Not sure yet. If I can clean the existing one well enough I might consider outlining it. But if it's stable enough for an enclosure maybe I should build a new one?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Not sure yet. If I can clean the existing one well enough I might consider outlining it. But if it's stable enough for an enclosure maybe I should build a new one?

The sheets are very thin - they are good for lining/facades but won't work on its own. You will need a rigid base (e.g. plywood) for them. Enclosure canopy, probably can be done out of expanded polystyrene insulation sheets + timber frame and lined with that plastic. I haven't seen that kind of plastic panels before and didn't work with them - so it's just my idea how I would build the enclosure.

 

[EppsDynasty]

@jharrris .... Hello my name is Dana my wife and I run and own a Non Profit 501(c)3 Tortoise and Turtle Rescue. We really are focusing on providing GOOD Forever homes to Tortoises and Turtles that need it. We would Love to help if you need it, our website is Joshuatreereptilehaven.org. If you cannot afford to get the Antibiotic Eye Ointment we'll mail you some. If you are thinking of rehoming we'll help with that as well. You can Private Message me or keep posting here, we WILL help.

 

[jharrris]

The sheets are very thin - they are good for lining/facades but won't work on its own. You will need a rigid base (e.g. plywood) for them. Enclosure canopy, probably can be done out of expanded polystyrene insulation sheets + timber frame and lined with that plastic. I haven't seen that kind of plastic panels before and didn't work with them - so it's just my idea how I would build the enclosure.

Great idea. Thanks!

 

[jharrris]

@jharrris .... Hello my name is Dana my wife and I run and own a Non Profit 501(c)3 Tortoise and Turtle Rescue. We really are focusing on providing GOOD Forever homes to Tortoises and Turtles that need it. We would Love to help if you need it, our website is Joshuatreereptilehaven.org. If you cannot afford to get the Antibiotic Eye Ointment we'll mail you some. If you are thinking of rehoming we'll help with that as well. You can Private Message me or keep posting here, we WILL help.

That's so sweet of you, thank you so much!! For now I'm going to try lining the enclosure and go from there. I got Curicyn for his eyes but the antibiotic eye ointment might actually work better. I will message you. I really appreciate it!!