do tortoises have a inner eyelid?

Question

im not talking about aquatic turtles im on about the ones with claws that walk around on land. he is a hermans tortoise.he has been having trouble opening his eyes in the morning so i gently rub them with damp warm cotton wool and i noticed that he has something that looks like a white casing near the corner of his eyes but its halfway up his eyes.and he squeeks really loud when he rubs his eyes and today he refused to eat. i keep telling my parents that i need to take him to a vet but they refuse to belive he has something wrong with him. and also if you cant hibernate a tortoise because of sertain medical reasons like nemonia how do you keep them awake?he is about 2 years old.

i would never kill my tortoise unless i had too.and he is not a water animal he cant swim and is a tortoise not turtle. so he wouldnt float lopsided in the water and i soak him every day in some luke warm water. thanks for your answer though.

Answer 1

http://www.turtlepuddle.org/health/eyes.html

Eye problems can be a symptom of respiratory infection or, in fact, any other serious health problem. Watch out for other signs of respiratory problems, such as noise while breathing, floating lopsided in the water, or mucus around the nose or mouth. Any of these signs indicate a respiratory infection which would require immediate veterinary care. Red/puffy/closed eyes in combination with any other sign of ill health (anorexia, shell rot, diarrhea, extreme lethargy) is cause for concern and should be seen by an exotic animal vet. Delaying veterinary care under these conditions is not advised and could cost your turtle its life.


STEP 6
Part A:
*Turtles that are stressed by illness can go rapidly downhill and refuse to eat.*

Answer 2

Yes, tortoises have the third eyelid.

Unfortunately, rubbing the eyes with cotton, etc. is not really helpful. The irritation from that by itself can inflame the eyelids, stress the tortoise, etc.

Instead- figure out what the real problem is. In most tortoises this time of year, it is simple dehydration. these guy like 60-80% humidity with an option for something higher, like a humidity box. If the house is really dry, consider soaking the tortoise and misting the food a little as well.

If the eyes continue to be 'sticky', try a little eye lubricant. Turtle eye drops are OK, but drops of Cod Liver Oil (try breaking open the gel-caps- they have the best stuff in them) or human eye drops will work also.

Besides the eye treatment, make sure the cares and diet are solid- try http://www.tortoisetrust.org for help.

Other things this could be include an early sign of respiratory infection or pneumonia, herpes virus, other infections,or maybe vitamin A problems (although tortoises do not get them often).

Hibernation can be avoided by offering summery temps, lighting nad humidity all year. Hermann's (with 2 'n's) do not need to hibernate unless you are breeding it.

Besides- it is hard to help them hibernate the right way. Most of the time, they are not really hibernating but are rather wasting away for a few months. It is better to use summer conditions to keep them active than to hibernate them badly.

Answer 3

What's Wrong With My Turtle's Eyes?


Important: Eye problems can be a symptom of respiratory infection or, in fact, any other serious health problem. Watch out for other signs of respiratory problems, such as noise while breathing, floating lopsided in the water, or mucus around the nose or mouth. Any of these signs indicate a respiratory infection which would require immediate veterinary care. Red/puffy/closed eyes in combination with any other sign of ill health (anorexia, shell rot, diarrhea, extreme lethargy) is cause for concern and should be seen by an exotic animal vet. Delaying veterinary care under these conditions is not advised and could cost your turtle its life.

If the problem is not accompanied by any other symptoms, there may be some simple changes that you can make that will clear up the minor eye infection. Puffy, irritated or closed eyes can be an indication of poor conditions, either now or earlier (for instance, at the pet store before you came along.) Ideal condition and supportive therapies may clear up the eye problem and prevent more serious illness.

1. Check everything about your overall husbandry. Keep the vivarium clean and well lighted. Make sure you are providing a varied diet with lots of calcium, a good basking area, and correct temperatures for the species of turtle you have.

2. Dirty conditions can cause eye infections in aquatic species, so make sure to keep the water clean. If you are using an undergravel filter with a simple pump (i.e. Powerhead), the water can look clear but still have way too much ammonia. With that type of filter, you have to completely syphon out the tank, including the stuff that is hiding under the gravel, and replace it with clean water every week or so. Even with a powerful canister filter, regular water changes will still be required. For a filtration system that is easy to maintain and produces excellent quality water, visit this link: One effective setup for aquatic turtles in small tanks

3. In terrestrial box turtles, eye problems can be caused by low humidity. Use spagnum moss and potted plants and mist daily to prevent problems associated by dry air. When eye puffiness has appeared, misting 2 or 3 times a day may help clear it up. Soak your box turtle in clean, tepid water every day. All box turtles require high humidity and a substrate which retains moisture.

4. Vitamin A deficiency can cause puffy eyes (swollen membranes.) Use a supplement that has vitamin A occasionally. Too much vitamin A is toxic, so don't overdo it. If the eye problem is actually caused by a vitamin A deficiency, it should clear up rather quickly with a dose or two of vitamin A. Aquatic plants, dark greens, sweet potato, squash and carrots in the diet can prevent vitamin A deficiencies. (More on turtle nutrition)

5. Injury can cause puffy, red eyes. Another turtle may have scratched near the eye or the turtle may have injured itself on something in the tank. Even a tiny scratch can become inflamed. An ophthalmic ointment such as Mycitracin might be helpful in that case. See your veterinarian.

6. Provide supportive therapies:

a.) While your turtle is ill, raise the vivarium temperature to the upper range for the species. For many species, including red-eared sliders and North American box turtles, 85 degrees F. would be good. This will help boost the immune system.

b.) Turtles that are stressed by illness can go rapidly downhill and refuse to eat. Electrolyte replacement therapy can help prevent this. Soak the turtle in an slightly warmer bath made with Pedialyte/water 1:1 solution or with a herp electrolyte replacement. 90 degrees would not be excessive for this 30-60 minute bath.

7. If the above steps have not improved the situation markedly in three or four days, take the turtle to a veterinarian. (Click here to find a vet near you)

With excellent care, your turtle should have bright, alert, clear eyes very soon. Good luck!



© 1999 Mary Hopson, Anchorage, AK
This information sheet may be freely copied and distributed.


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Answer 4

That is caused by a vitamin definiciency. I believe it is not enough vitamin A. You need to go to the pet store and you can actually buy vitamin eye drops for them, the ones I use are in a yellow bottle. Use them once a day in each eye for a few days and it should improve. Also you can set your turtle in a little water, maybe 1/2 inch in the sink so they can moisten their eyes. Feeding them a balanced diet helps to, try meal works, crickets, and lots of fruits and veggies. Good luck!

Answer 5

no it cant cause blindness or get u an infection but...when you put eyeliner on ur inner eyelid it wont stay on as it should cause ur eye is moist there so try getting twist up eyeliner and put it right on top of your eyelashes it will stay on much longer

Answer 6

:[ thts so sad. ummm call a local vet and ask them, and then put them on the fone with ur parents so the vet can talk to yer parents/ good luck. :]]] dont kiilll the turtle.