Last year I rescued Hugo, and he was overweight, but he got much
healthier and i thought he was ok. But lately he's been sleeping a lot
more and off his food. He's lost 3/4 of an ounce since 6th january, and
today i had the scare of my life.

I just bathed him, and thought he was just tired, but as i was drying
him i realised it looks like he's lost an eye! Terrified, will get him
to the vets ASAP but until i can, can anyone offer their opinion? It
looks swollen and sore, but i can't see an eyeball in there. Will
upload some pictures, under Emily's Hugo, they're not very good, but i
would really appreciate anything anyone has to say. They're on the TPG Yahoo group site.

Thanks.

Hi Emily,

I'm really sorry to hear that Hugo is unwell! It's difficult to see the extent of the problem from the photos, but from what you describe I'm sure that a trip to the vet is the right way to go. Does he seem to be in any pain? One of our members has just said that she has always been advised to use 'artificial tears' -- Hypromellose -- to keep the eye moist until the tort can get to the vet. I'm pretty sure that this is available at all chemists. Do let us know how he gets on at the vets.

Nina

He walked around fine after his bath, but when i tried to bathe it to see if there was an eyeball he obviously didn't like it. It looks sore though. He's gone to sleep now, buried and everything, so i think he's less bothered than I am!

I'll call the vets first thing, and will get the tears if he cannot fit us in. I will keep you updated, thank you.

Emily.

Yes please.

Good luck Emily.

Would you kindly mail me the photos direct so they aren't downsized when loaded onto the Yahoo forum please?

TC
Darren
darren@tortoise-protection-group.org.uk

Sent. Any help and advice appreciated, thank you.

Hi Emily

Have  you seen this picture in the web site TPg photo gallery in the Tortoise with problems section:  http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/58.asp?thissection=27

Does Hugo's eye look anything like this?

Helen

I did look to see if there were any pictures similar, but it doesn't look like that, it's not pussy, and there's like a pink inner eyelid in between the eyelids. I can't explain it, it looks empty.

Sorry i'm not much help.

I did look to see if there were any pictures similar, but it doesn't look like that, it's not pussy, and there's like a pink inner eyelid in between the eyelids. I can't explain it, it looks empty.

Sorry i'm not much help.

Hi Emily

It sounds a bit like a conjunctivitis/infection - could it be associated with injury?  In any case it is too diffiuclt to advise over the internet.  When you contact your vet first thing tomorrow you will need to tell the receptionist that you need an urgent appointment for Hugo and the tortoise needs to be seen straight away.

Bathe the eye as Darren has advised first thing in the morning and get some artificial tears as soon as the chemist opens if your appointment with the vet isn't until later on tomorrow and aim at keeping the eye moist until the vet sees it.  Hopefully the vet is an exotics specialist?

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you soon get Hugo fit and well again.  Keep us informed.

Helen

He's not an exotics specialist, i can't find any even remotely near me. But i've got to do the best for him i can. And i trust the vet to refuse treatment if he has no idea, he's been our vet for years.

Just so worried! Will probably still be awake when the vet opens.

You could try Colin Blakey, he's an exotics expert.  I think Darren has emailed you his details.  Don't forget to say you need one of the vets that specialises in tortoises or you will find yourself seeing just one of the general vets that work there.

HTH

Helen

Thanks. Nina phoned me and gave me all the info for Colin. I will call him first thing. Just had a look, and the nearest 24 hour pharmacy closes Sunday nights, so the drops will have to wait until the morning too. But he's sleeping soundly now, so it's just me that has to relax. 

Well let's hope that you sleep half as well as Hugo is! Don't worry too much, Emily, these tortoises just like to keep us on our toes and worry us a bit every now and then. I'm sure he'll be fine, but we'll all be thinking of you and Hugo tomorrow.
Don't forget to ask specifically for an exotics vet, as Helen suggested (like Colin Blakey), and also tell him about Gonzo. It just occurred to me that maybe Gonzo gave Hugo a playful little nip on the face and it caught his eye -- that does happen sometimes.

Take care,
Nina

Hi all. Thought it would be easier to reply to everyone on here. Phoned my vets first thing, and he told me about someone in winterbourne, a lot closer, who knew all about tortoises. So i was in there waiting in the open surgery by 1.45, and seen and out before two.

The vet thinks it's a vitmain A deficiency, because his mouth is different too. The good news is that his eye is still there and it was just very puffy. So he's had some jabs and he has until friday to perk up before I take him back. Feel silly for all the worrying, but he's sleeping sound now and will try him with some food in the morning.

Hopefully you feel a little easier about Hugo now.  Out of interest which vet practice did you use Emily and did the vet take any blood samples to confirm that Hugo a vitamin A deficiency?

I was wondering how his mouth is different did the vet tell you what he thought was wrong with it?

Helen

It's called Winterbourne Veterinary Clinic.
He was really lethargic etc, so he gave the injections and if he doesnt get completely better by friday, he should be well enough to handle having blood taken. His gums were very pale, and i've got to bath him twice a day because he was quite dehydrated too. He was very reassuring and said i didn't do anything wrong, which was nice, he just got himself all set up for hibernating then i kept him awake.