Should I be worried about a Turtle's puffy eye?

Question

I have an Ornate Box Turtle (female). She has recently developed a puffy right eye, making it impossible for her to see. Should I seek the help of a vet or is it a normal thing with turtles?

Answer 1

Box Turtles have very specific Vitamin A needs- too much or too little messes them up. Oddly, neither aquatic turtles nor tortoises have such sensitive needs. Too many people give Box Turtles the wrong diet- too heavy in veggies and fruit, not enough meats and greens- and it messes things up.

Treating Vit. A deficiency (Hypovitaminosis A) is a real problem. Turtles that cannot see, will not eat- without intervention, it will waste and die.

(Note- the swelling could also be from other issues- infections, respirtory issues, injury, etc.)

Treating Hypo A is done on a few different levels.
- Try to reduce eye swelling with Vit. A or cod-liver oil or opthamolic drops
- Offer good temps, humidity, cleanliness, etc. to support the immune system, (http://www.boxturtlesite.info)
- Get Vitamin A internally. If it is still eating, some vit. A drops or cod-liver oil will help. Good diet and supplements will as well. If it is not eating, see a vet for vit. A shots.

Answer 2

Just one eye? It could be an injury, vitamin A deficiency, metabolic bone disease ... Luckily, you can take care of a lot of the possible problems the same way. Raise the temperatures of the basking site and the water a degree or two (F). Feed him strips of liver dusted with bone meal for the oil-soluble vitamins and the calcium. Earthworms are another good source of calcium and will get almost any turtle interested in eating. If you know or can find a vet who knows one end of a turtle from the other (they do exist but are rare), make an appointment

Answer 3

I had the same problem with the same type of turtle, except both eyes. It turned out to be a common problem in turtles, a vitamin A deficiency. You can try vitamins formulated for this problem and a high vitamin diet. I also bought a antibiotic cream at the reptile store that I put in his eyes.You might need to take it to the vet though. Here's a link to a helpful web site, it does mention the deficiency. Hope this is helpful.
http://www.boxturtlesite.info/heal.html

Answer 4

No, that is something that needs to be seen by a vet.

She could have an eye infection or a vitamin A deficiency

Answer 5

you should take your turtle to the vet as soon as possible.
puffy eyes can be a result from any of the following:
-lack of vitamin A
-not enough humidity
-old age
-desease
-improper diet
Good luck and I hope your turtle gets better.

Answer 6

yes see a doctor it could be critical

Answer 7

she has an eye infection and yes she is going to loose her eye

Answer 8

keep any fans or open windows away from her