WATERING EYES!!

[Bro bott]

Hi, my Russian tortoise’s eyes are watering and he is squinting a little bit. I just noticed it after putting some sticks into his enclosure. I put 3 large sticks and 1 pine branch with pine needles. I was looking back on past threads and found that pine needles weren’t bad for him. I’ve been watching him ever sense I put them in (20 minutes ago) and so far he has just hidden in it but not eaten it. I check him every day to see if he has any issues and I just noticed his eyes. Now I am letting him sit on my bed room carpet because I don’t know if there is something dangerous in his enclosure. I’m going to keep him out and watch him until I know what is wrong. P.s. the two other logs were silver maple.

 

[Bro bott]

I’m also going to read about watering eyes. Worst case scenario we will take him to the vet.

 

[Bro bott]

Here is a picture that I forgot to send. I’m very nervous for him. I also gave him a 10ish minute bath in warm water and it didn’t help.

 

[Bro bott]

He is also making strange mouth noises like clicks and chirps

 

[Len B]

Hi, my Russian tortoise’s eyes are watering and he is squinting a little bit. I just noticed it after putting some sticks into his enclosure. I put 3 large sticks and 1 pine branch with pine needles. I was looking back on past threads and found that pine needles weren’t bad for him. I’ve been watching him ever sense I put them in (20 minutes ago) and so far he has just hidden in it but not eaten it. I check him every day to see if he has any issues and I just noticed his eyes. Now I am letting him sit on my bed room carpet because I don’t know if there is something dangerous in his enclosure. I’m going to keep him out and watch him until I know what is wrong. P.s. the two other logs were silver maple.

If the pine branch is fresh cut with green needles I wouldn't use it in the enclosure.

 

[EppsDynasty]

If the pine branch is fresh cut with green needles I wouldn't use it in the enclosure.

This is very important ...... fresh cut will 'gas' pine oils (Terpenes) into your enclosure for a week or so causing both irritation to the lungs and eyes. The best way to eliminate these Terpenes is to put the branch in the oven at 125 (ish) for an hour. Terpenes are solvents and will evaporate of very easily with heat.

 

[Bro bott]

This is very important ...... fresh cut will 'gas' pine oils (Terpenes) into your enclosure for a week or so causing both irritation to the lungs and eyes. The best way to eliminate these Terpenes is to put the branch in the oven at 125 (ish) for an hour. Terpenes are solvents and will evaporate of very easily with heat.

Thank you so very much