General Care Discussion :: Vitamin A

[Rickiew04]

The vet said that Willy needs vitamin A. What does vit. A do for a turtle? What could I feed Willy to supply him with a lot of Vitamin A? The vet said some things, but I forgot.

[SpotsMama]

The best thing for you to do would be to call the vet in the morning and ask again what it is exactly that he recommends. Does he think Willy is suffering from a shortage of vitamin A, or is it just something he thinks should be part of his normal diet?

Here's some info on vitamin supplements including vitamin A:

http://www.redearslider.com/supplements.html

I did a search on Cod Liver Oil, which is a good source of vitamin A, and came up with a couple of threads:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... +liver+oil

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... +liver+oil

Note the discussion of Zoo Med Turtle Eye Drops as a source of vitamin A for turtles whose eyes are swollen due to a need for vitamin A. I have also heard of putting a little cod liver oil on a Q Tip and gently putting it on the lids of turtles with swollen eyes.

Note also the caution not to overdo it with vitamin A, as this can be harmful. The rule is.....easy does it!

[Evelyn]

Hi,
Some vegetables, like danelions and carrots are loaded with Vit. A.
Check your turtle pellets and make sure Vit. A is in the first three ingredient.
It takes a couple of weeks for the vitamin A to work.
Evelyn

[marisa]

Rickiew04---look for foods that are high in beta carotene, which your turtle can convert to Vit A safely. Foods like carrots, pumpkin, yellow squash, red bell peppers are some that my turts get on a rotating basis. And, as Evelyn mentioned, dandelions are also good (my turts get these a lot).

Are your turtle's eyes swollen or closed shut because of a Vit A deficiency? If so, you can put a little cod liver oil (you can get capsules) on the eyelid with a Q-tip once or twice a day. Your turtle will absorb some of the Vit A in the oil through the skin. You can also occasionally put a little cod liver oil on some of his pellets and let it be absorbed before you give them to him (don't overdo it with this, though). As noted, reputable brands of pellets have Vit A as one of the main nutrients listed on the container.

The safest way to get Vit A is with foods high in beta carotene, where there is no chance of overdosing (too much Vit A can be harmful and even toxic).

[Rickiew04]

Thanks alot everyone!!!!

I don't think Willy's eyes are too swollen now, but they are shut. (I haven't seen his eyes open in a few days) I was trying to feed him carrots today, but I find it hard to get him to eat them. For one thing, if I set them in the water, they sink to the bottom, and since he is sick, he is barely in the water, let alone goes to the bottom. When he eats, I just put the food in front of him and he'll eat it. He's only getting pellets (Reptomin) right now, because he is never in the water to eat it. What could I do about that?

[SpotsMama]

Poor Willy! Is he taking antibiotics?

Carrots are probably just not going to work while he's sick. Get some cod liver oil and put a little on a cue tip and put it gently on his eyelids, like marisa said.

That's good that he'll eat some pellets. I assume he takes his pellets in the water since RES can't really swallow except in water.

Keep us posted. We'll keep him (and you) in our thoughts.

[Rickiew04]

Yes he does take his anitbiotics, I take him to the vet every couple days to get antibiotics. She said he needed vit. A. So should I put cod liver oil on his eyes and soak his pellets in it, or should I do one or the other, so I don't over do it? What could happen if he gets too much Vit. A?

[SpotsMama]

Do as marisa suggests - she has vast experience - and put a little cod liver oil on his lids twice a day and put a little bit on some of his pellets.

In people very large does of vitamin a are toxic - nausea, hair loss, bone thinning, etc.

[marisa]

Do try some plain cod liver oil, both on the lids and on some of the pellets. I wouldn't soak the pellets in it. I'd use an eyedropper (you should be able to buy one cheaply if you don't have a clean one) and dab a little on some pellets and let it sink in, then give them to him. I think the Reptomin will stay intact a little better than way and be easier for him to eat.

When I said not to overdo it, I meant not to soak every pellet in it every day. Unused Vit A is retained (it doesn't go through the system like B vitamins and Vit C, for example) and an excess can be toxic. Doing both to start out with shouldn't be toxic, especially since he's deficient in it.

I think it's good that your vet, although she says that your turtle needs Vit A, isn't automatically giving him a Vit A shot. Vets sometimes do this as a matter of course, and I've known it in some cases to leave the turtle in worse shape than before, especially if the turtle is smaller. Since your turtle is seeing the vet, if the subject of a Vit A shot should come up (I say if), let her know that you've been giving your turtle cod liver oil (if you do begin doing this) so she knows your turtle has already been getting vit A.

[Rickiew04]

Ok, so I'm putting the cod liver oil on his eyes twice a day and I soaked 3 of his pellets in the oil, and just gave him the other ones plain. Does that sound good?

[SpotsMama]

Sounds good. Any improvement yet?

[4Lancer4]

Can you put the liver oil on his eye? or does he ingest the liver oil O.o

[SpotsMama]

If you put a little cod liver oil on the turtle's eyelids his/her skin will absorb it. Also, if there's a little cod liver oil in the turtle's food he/she will digest it.

You don't need to use cod liver oil unless there's a vitamin deficiency and the turtle needs it.

[Rickiew04]

I've been doing the cod liver oil for one day now, I don't really see much of an improvement. I'm guessing I should only see an improvement with his eyes and them being open, correct?

For a side note, Willy's been going to the vet to get his antibiotics for a couple weeks now, and he doesn't seem any better. She's been giving him baytril every couple days. What should I do? Should I wait longer for improvement?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

These things take time, be patient.