he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 25/07/2011 by horsefeild123
hi . i have just recently got a horsefeild tortoise .he is eating ok and moving around but he keeps itching his eyes ? what does this mean also one is looking different to the other?
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 25/07/2011 by tortoise7
Hi and welcome
What substrate and lighting do you have? Jane
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 25/07/2011 by horsefeild123
well i wll list wat he has in his table .wood chips .uv+HEAT LAMP ....BUT I DONT C HOW IT COULD BE MY FAULT AS I HAVE ONLY HAD HIM A FEW DAYS
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 26/07/2011 by horsefeild123
now i am realy worried ITS URGENT! he woke up with one eye closed one eye open .so i put him in his bowl to you knw maybe relax him a bit .the sewlling went down but i am worried realy worried!
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 26/07/2011 by tortoise7
Hi Woodchip is not good for tortoises and especially horsfields as they love to dig down. he could be allergic to the wood and hopefully it is not giving off any toxic fumes. Remove the wood chip straight away, even if you have to put newspaper down until you can get to the shop to buy some tops and playsand with a 50-50 mix, be careful not to put the paper near the lamps though as they could catch fire. Have a read of the care sheets opposite via the link "The Tortoise". Has the eye got any discharge, and when it opens and the swelling gone down, is it clear? if there is a discharge then you need to get him to a tortoise specialist vet have a look for a vet in your area from the link on the left "vets & health issues, it would be a good idea to get him checked over anyway. Where did you buy him from? don't be down on yourself as you say you have only had him for 2 wks, so it won't be anything you have done, I am guessing the set up is from what you have been adviced to use. I would stress though to remove the wood chippings, sorry can't remember if you already said, but what type housing is he in? Let us know how you get on
Jane
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 26/07/2011 by tortoise7
Amendment: it should read topsoil and play sand
Jane
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 26/07/2011 by horsefeild123
i bought him from a very well known and local trusted pet shop . He is in a tortoise table and the swelling has gone down i think it was just a scratch tho .
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 26/07/2011 by horsefeild123
i could upload images if possibal
Re: he keeps itching his eyes Posted: 26/07/2011 by tortoise7
Hi Yes, photo's always best, glad the swelling has gone down
Amendment: it should read topsoil and play sand