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| Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 08/11/2015 by George Norman |
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One of our young Hermanns eyes have become much smaller and he is rubbing them a lot with his front legs. He is also opening and closing his mouth a lot when I pick him up. He is eating/drinking/bathing normally and is still active. I am taking him to the vets tomorrow to get him looked at, but just wondered if anyone had any idea what it might be and if there is anything I can do in the meantime? | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 09/11/2015 by Tom |
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Hello George, There are several possibilities. See what the vet has to say. How long have you had them ? Regards, Tom | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 09/11/2015 by George Norman |
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We have had them for 3 months. They were both hatched in 2013, temps at 30 degrees during the day, lights off at night, living in a table with hides and on substrate/soil. Both active and eating and drinking well. I am taking him to one of the recommended vets today, but I'm thinking that I will take them both along so they can both get checked out for peace of mind. | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 09/11/2015 by Tom |
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Thank you for the reply, I assume that you mean 30C at the basking spot at one end of the 'table'. What did the vet say ? | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 10/11/2015 by George Norman |
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Hi Yes I mean a 30 degree basking spot at one end of table. The vet has diagnosed an ear infection and has prescribed antibiotics for two weeks. She also told me that I should only aim to open the fridge door on my hibernating tortoise once or maybe twice a week, but I've read on here once a day for airflow. Perhaps you could clarify this. I'm also not comfortable with only once a week as I would be concerned about temperature checks inside the fridge. Maybe you could give me your thoughts on this. Many thanks. | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 10/11/2015 by Tom |
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You'll appreciate that it can't be hibe'd 'til the problem is clearly resolved. If it is an ear infection, they can recur. What type of heat / lighting are you using ? You can rely on the TPG hibe. info.. Minimise disturbance. A temp. alarm would be a good investment. Let us know how it gets on, Tom | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 11/11/2015 by George Norman |
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Sorry I wasn't clear - I was talking about our other older tortoise on first hibe this year. I will continue to follow the TPG care sheets for his hibe. The young tortoise with the ear infection will be over-wintered. He is under a 100 watt basking and UVB lamp. He has been prescribed antibiotics and metacam. The vet also told me that the Jackson Ratio is 'unreliable' in young tortoises and is to be used in adult tortoises. Can you tell me at which age a tort is determined as an adult? Many thanks again. | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 11/11/2015 by Tom |
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Your other '13 hatched tort, can have 3months hibe.. Does the UVB bulb have a reflector ? If so, what angle is it ? At least 10 b4 adult. Keep your own detailed wt records, they are a much better guide than the J. Ratio. The latter is limited by the fact that there are several distinct Spur-thighed species, which are very different in shape, whilst Hermanns are all sorts of shapes. Tom | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 12/11/2015 by George Norman |
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Yes, UVB has a reflector, angled at 90 degrees. His eyes don't seem any better today, but he's still active and eating/drinking, so I will just persist with the medication. Thanks again. | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 14/11/2015 by Tom |
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Good luck, let us know how it gets on. Tom | |
| Re: Baby Hermanns with eye problem Posted: 10/02/2016 by Debbie and Alex |
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Hi, this is our first time on the forum. We are concerned about our tortoise Boris's eye. Boris is approx one year old, and has for the past couple of month had one eye larger than the other. It does not discharge but in the last two weeks he has began rubbing it and struggling to open it after sleeping. He is otherwise an active tortoise. I took him to the vet in December who prescribed chloramphenicol eye drops, but said if nothing improved I would have to see a different vet with more tortoise expertise. Can anyone advise us. | |