General Care Discussion :: Diminished Sight/Smell?

[Reel Girl]

Hello All!

It has been a while since I posted here, but I am still a very happy RES owner, still enamored of Sheldon the Wonder Turtle.

Lately (last 2 weeks or so) I have noticed that Sheldon is not feeding as well as has in the past - - it seems he is having some vision problems -- but his eyes look clear and fine.

Can a deficiency of vitamins or something cause a loss/decrease in vision or smell in the RES?

My vet is out of town until the end of the week (always when I NEED him!) but I will be bringing Sheldon in as soon as he returns.

Just thought someone might have some insight on this.

Thanks!

Shelly

[steve]

We know a lack of Vit A can cause hypovitaminosis A but there are usually physical symptoms. You can try some carrots and cod liver oil soaked pellets. Is he just missing his food or has he lost interest?

[Reel Girl]

It really seems he is not "seeing" his food (cause he still has his appetite!) - - He is not going after his pellets, when I give him meal worms he will not seem to "see" them in the water, if I use tweezers - - I can wave in front of his face, but he only sees them and bites at them in certain angles.

Maybe just totally lost interest? I have been trying (just recently) the frozen turtle squares, frozen blueberries, different types of lettuce and freeze dried shrimp - - so much is being left on the bottom of tank which I have to scoop every day. His normal diet has been commercial pellets, different veggies thrown in (which he seems to ignore) meal worms, worms from the compost and the frozen turtle food periodically.

And yet, he is VERY active, still reacts to me everytime I come in the room - - basking fine. And physically he looks good to me.

I just looked up hypovitaminosis A and I am leaning towards that as a diagnosis when I bring him into my vet - - I know his diet is too protein (worm) rich. I think his eyelids look swollen when he is sleeping (now that I saw some pics - not bad, but maybe a little).

{{sigh}} I guess my next question will be how to get your spoiled turtle to eat more of the good stuff! I feel like a bad turtle parent!! Ugh!

Thanks for the info, Steve! I will keep you posted!

[steve]

Turtles can also get cataracts, though I do not hear of it happening very often. Does he snap and miss his food? Does he keep his head at an angle? Have you tried to see his reaction towards live prey (or a treat he really enjoys)?

[Reel Girl]

He never snaps and misses, once he knows where the worm is - he's got it - but I can hold a worm in front of him, wave it around - he has no reaction, doesn't even turn his head or shy away. If a worm is drop in front of him into the water - no reaction except in certain instances, it seems (like where he is in the tank and what angle the worm is dropped).

I didn't think about throwing in some feeder fish - - that would be a good test - - he LOVES little feeder fish and it has probably been over a year since I threw any in the tank.

I think I will try that tomorrow - and my vet gets back in town tomorrow, too.

I would think I could maybe see something in his eyes if it were cataracts - - but his eyes look really clear.

[steve]

Sounds like he might have just lost interest temporarily. Any other unusual behavior?