Sick or something else?

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hunterk997

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My Russian tortoise has been fine for a while now, but today after eating, her eyes swelled, then she began rubbing them. And then she yawned for a good three or four seconds. After that, her eyes weren't swollen but when she opened and closed her mouth it make a squishing sound. So I quickly soaked her thinking she might have substrate in her eyes and she might be choking, so she could drink. After the soak, she kept making that squishing sound, so I gave her a peice of chopped up radicchio, and it stopped. Could any of this be illness or just something that happens? The basking temp ranges from 93-100 and the cool end is usually in the high 70's to low 80's. The humidity in the middle of the enclosure stays between 40 and 50. I use eco earth as a substrate. It's slightly damp, but not wet. More dry than wet. I am not sure what to think about this, and it seems like I just got everything perfect, but I guess not. I'm really worried, but I always worry, so I'm not sure if I am over reacting. Should I get her to a vet?
 

JoesMum

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What type of UVB lighting do you use?

This type of eye problem is commonly associated with a compact (coil) type UVB.

The solution, in this case, is to stop using it and replace with a tube lamp or an MVB.
 

hunterk997

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Oh yeah forgot that part, it's a zilla tube light t8 I think. Possibly T5. It's a foot away from her. She hasn't done the swelling eye thing dor a while now, or the yawning...
 

taiuk10

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I've seen one of my Russian tortoise do the same but not sure why too. They are in about a 21 degree c temperature with a exo terra glow 10 tube.
 
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