Possible Eye issue with Horsfield

Steigh · 22-01-2017, 03:19 PM

Hi all, first time poster here looking for some assistance if at all possible!

My mother has a 2 year old horsefield tortoise and upon visiting today I have come to the conclusion he may have a problem with his eye as it does not seem to be opening correctly. I have 2 pictures which I Can share if anyone would like to see them, one of the good eye and one of the bad one (for reference), before I cause any worry to my mother (who is housebound and deems little Sheldon to be her friend) I was hoping to get the opinion of some experts? Any help would be most appreciated!

Thank you all - stephen!

CherryBrandy · 23-01-2017, 08:07 PM

thank-you Stephen and welcome to the forum. The site reviews your first 5 posts so it delays and then when you've reached 5 posts you can post directly onto the thread without delay and photos.
Best if people take a look but do consider a vet if the tortoise can not open the eye as infections can lead to the loss of sight very quickly. You could use opticom eye drops as this won't harm and his eye may be inflamed due to a foreign body so us as a rinse perhaps, but isn't a replacement for seeking an expert opinion as he could be in pain and may cost more in the long run if it turns out to be an abscess. Failing that maybe speak to your local tortoise society for them to do a check over. difficult to give advice without knowing what it may be. CB

CherryBrandy · 23-01-2017, 08:13 PM

I just thought also swollen eyes can be Vitamin A deficiency a pick me up like reptoboost of Abidec from Sainsburys has Vitamin A is which will help replace it. Also bath in carrot juice - (add warm water and cup ful to a bowl) has Vit A in it and won't harm. CB

Merlin M · 23-01-2017, 08:19 PM

I agree, best to see a vet, even a bath in nice warm water could help, just make sure and pour some over the head. It could just be some dust irritating it, but it could be an infection so always best to see a vet.

Steigh · 23-01-2017, 09:04 PM

Thank you all for the advice you have confirmed my theory that the vet is the best bet, much appreciated all!

sandy · 24-01-2017, 08:43 AM

I agree a vet visit is needed.
We would need to know a little more on how the Horsfield is being kept.
As dehydration can cause eye problems, along with being poked by substrate.
I doubt if its a vitamin deficiency as this is mainly in Leopard tortoises.
Temps need to be around 30-32c (sorry the tortoise world works metric) they need a lightly moist soil, and fed weeds and flowers.
For some really great info on horsfields go to www.thetortoisehouse.com

Comlite31 · 20-04-2017, 07:59 AM

I think you'd better to bring it to see a veterinarian.

22-01-2017, 03:19 PM	#1
Steigh Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2	Possible Eye issue with Horsfield Hi all, first time poster here looking for some assistance if at all possible! My mother has a 2 year old horsefield tortoise and upon visiting today I have come to the conclusion he may have a problem with his eye as it does not seem to be opening correctly. I have 2 pictures which I Can share if anyone would like to see them, one of the good eye and one of the bad one (for reference), before I cause any worry to my mother (who is housebound and deems little Sheldon to be her friend) I was hoping to get the opinion of some experts? Any help would be most appreciated! Thank you all - stephen!

23-01-2017, 08:07 PM	#2
CherryBrandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SE England Posts: 4,262	thank-you Stephen and welcome to the forum. The site reviews your first 5 posts so it delays and then when you've reached 5 posts you can post directly onto the thread without delay and photos. Best if people take a look but do consider a vet if the tortoise can not open the eye as infections can lead to the loss of sight very quickly. You could use opticom eye drops as this won't harm and his eye may be inflamed due to a foreign body so us as a rinse perhaps, but isn't a replacement for seeking an expert opinion as he could be in pain and may cost more in the long run if it turns out to be an abscess. Failing that maybe speak to your local tortoise society for them to do a check over. difficult to give advice without knowing what it may be. CB __________________ Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata

23-01-2017, 08:13 PM	#3
CherryBrandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SE England Posts: 4,262	I just thought also swollen eyes can be Vitamin A deficiency a pick me up like reptoboost of Abidec from Sainsburys has Vitamin A is which will help replace it. Also bath in carrot juice - (add warm water and cup ful to a bowl) has Vit A in it and won't harm. CB __________________ Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata

23-01-2017, 08:19 PM	#4
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	I agree, best to see a vet, even a bath in nice warm water could help, just make sure and pour some over the head. It could just be some dust irritating it, but it could be an infection so always best to see a vet. __________________ 1:1:1 Horsfields (Misha, Amber and Teabag) 1:0:0 Dog: Rocco, Rottweiler cross 1 husband (Russ)

24-01-2017, 08:43 AM	#6
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I agree a vet visit is needed. We would need to know a little more on how the Horsfield is being kept. As dehydration can cause eye problems, along with being poked by substrate. I doubt if its a vitamin deficiency as this is mainly in Leopard tortoises. Temps need to be around 30-32c (sorry the tortoise world works metric) they need a lightly moist soil, and fed weeds and flowers. For some really great info on horsfields go to www.thetortoisehouse.com __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

23-01-2017, 09:04 PM	#5
Steigh Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2	Thank you all for the advice you have confirmed my theory that the vet is the best bet, much appreciated all!

20-04-2017, 07:59 AM	#7
Comlite31 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 1	I think you'd better to bring it to see a veterinarian.

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