General Care Discussion :: What do you guys think?

[Doc_Moore_J]

As you know, I've recently picked up Buddy from a sub par environment. I had gravel in his tank, but only for a day. I fixed that immediately. I maintain proper temps and lighting, and have been changing the water every few days. I have enough filtration for double the amount of water etc... What I am saying is my set up seems perfect, but Buddy has been acting wierd. I fear that I got a sick turtle. He has no appetite, and I honestly cant say that Ive ever seen him eat since I got him (about 3-4 weeks ago). I took him to the vet twice now and the Vet said he had parasites, he put Buddy on a 5 day medicine regime which has been completed for a few days with no improvement. The skin covering his eyes appears like it is about to shed, he rarely opens them. I told the vet this and he said my lighting may have sun burnt his eyes. I re-adjusted the lighting so the temp stays constant, but the UVB bulb is pointint more towards the wall now than buddy, both lights are about 15" away from him. His eyes seem about the same, and I have to moisten them with a wet Q-tip to get him to open them. I am taking him back to the vet this weekend, but I am really flustered here as to what is going on. He is lethargic and basks all day, and recently been even sleeping in his basking area with the lights off. Poor little guy. Any suggestions on getting him to munch? I tried the soaking pellets in tuna water, I also tried feeding him with a syringe that I was using for his medicine (which he took ok), but he spits the food back out. Today was interesting, he pee'd all over me for a good minute or two when I was trying to feed him. Little bugger

[RESnTX]

What type, brand, bulb are you using? We recently had 2 different people here with a bulb that was supposed to be taken off the shelves. They both had turtles with this eye problem like yours.

[Nettle]

I agree, the brand of bulb you have could be faulty. There's also the possibility of a Vitamin A deficiency. Does he get carrots once a week? I've also heard of applying cod liver oil to the eyes with a q-tip, but I'm not sure the exact directions.

[Doc_Moore_J]

my image links didnt work. I am using these lamps. The reptiglo 5.0 for UVB and the other one for heat uva. Hes no really eating anything, let alone carrots. Pellets, krill, green beans, lettuce, boiled chicken, nothing.

[Nettle]

I don't know of anyone who uses those bulbs for heat. They're 75 watts which sounds a little strong. Most others use just a regular incandescent house bulb.

I'm still not sure, though; I'd wait for someone else to agree or deny.

[SpotsMama]

Try putting some cod liver oil on a q tip and dabbing it on his eyelids. repeat several times a day. Also, moisten a few pellets with cod liver oil and offer them to him. Some of his symptos do sound similar to vitamin A deficiency. Cod liver oil is high in vitamin A and may help.

Most turtles are tempted by tuna, shrimp and boiled chicken.

I'm sorry you and your turtle are having such a hard time. I hope the vet can help this time. It does sound like you're doing everything right - it's just very difficult when a little one is sick.

[AllisonChains]

I had problems with Izzy and her eyes a few weeks back and when I went to the vet he gave her a shot of vitamin A thinking she had a Vitamin A deficiency. She was the same way... very lethargic and just not feeling well, but she still had quite the appetite.

I only realized it was the light irritating her eyes after 3 days of not getting any better after the shot, and of course help from everyone here.

Has your vet mentioned anything about the Vitamin A? I would definitely follow the advice given here in regards to the cod liver oil. I had bought some, but ended up not having to use it.

I hope everything turns out OK, please keep us posted.

[steve]

I would avoid any Vitamin A shot. Have you tried the foods on this page... www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html