what substrate DO you suggest? n/p

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Jean on December 22, 2000 at 12:39:23:

In Reply to: Re: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! posted by Terry on December 22, 2000 at 11:51:14:

: Hi,
: as Andy stated watery eyes can be the first sign of illness, such as RNS ( runny nose syndrom) or pneumonia.

: Watery eyes can also be caused by high temperatures ,irritation, or exposure to cold/damp.

: First thing to do is check your husbandry.
: Are you using a substrate that could cause irritation?
: Rabbit pellets, Timothy Hay or wood shaving?

: Rabbit pellets can become damp, soiled, musty and dusty very quickly and can also become infested with tiny mites that bite at the eye area.
: Same thing with Timothy hay, it's dusty and holds in any moisture, the dusty little particles can irritate the eyes and nares.

: So if you are using either as a substrate think about switching or change it almost every day.
: Dirty/contaminated substrate is very often the cause of eye problems in torts/turts.

: Most wood shavings contain natural oils that are toxic and irritating, so if using wood shavings , switch to a different substrate.

: Make sure the temperatures are correct, neither too hot or too cold, and that there is always a gradient.
: Make sure also that the little tortoise is not exposed to drafts.Or allowed too cool down too much overnight, a gradient of 75-80 overnight for such a small tort is about right.

: As Andy said, it could also be a sign that the tortoise is becoming ill. So for such a small tortoise I wouldn't delay a vet visit for too long, if you think something's not right.If left untreated it could rapidly get worse.

: For dry eyes you can drip a bit of water on the eye area, when the tortoise is in his soak. For a tortoise that size you should be soaking every other day.
: Also make sure that clean drinking water is always available.
: I use the plastic top of a sunny delight container for my little sulcata baby.

: Hope this helps,
: Terry.

Follow Ups:

Re: what substrate DO you suggest? n/p Terry 12/22/00 (4)
- CareFresh Marissa 12/22/00 (3)
  - Re: CareFresh...and burrowing? Lisa 12/22/00 (2)
    - Re: CareFresh...and burrowing? Marissa 12/22/00 (1)
      - Re: CareFresh...and burrowing? meaghan 01/11/01 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : Hi, : : as Andy stated watery eyes can be the first sign of illness, such as RNS ( runny nose syndrom) or pneumonia. : : Watery eyes can also be caused by high temperatures ,irritation, or exposure to cold/damp. : : First thing to do is check your husbandry. : : Are you using a substrate that could cause irritation? : : Rabbit pellets, Timothy Hay or wood shaving? : : Rabbit pellets can become damp, soiled, musty and dusty very quickly and can also become infested with tiny mites that bite at the eye area. : : Same thing with Timothy hay, it's dusty and holds in any moisture, the dusty little particles can irritate the eyes and nares. : : So if you are using either as a substrate think about switching or change it almost every day. : : Dirty/contaminated substrate is very often the cause of eye problems in torts/turts. : : Most wood shavings contain natural oils that are toxic and irritating, so if using wood shavings , switch to a different substrate. : : Make sure the temperatures are correct, neither too hot or too cold, and that there is always a gradient. : : Make sure also that the little tortoise is not exposed to drafts.Or allowed too cool down too much overnight, a gradient of 75-80 overnight for such a small tort is about right. : : As Andy said, it could also be a sign that the tortoise is becoming ill. So for such a small tortoise I wouldn't delay a vet visit for too long, if you think something's not right.If left untreated it could rapidly get worse. : : For dry eyes you can drip a bit of water on the eye area, when the tortoise is in his soak. For a tortoise that size you should be soaking every other day. : : Also make sure that clean drinking water is always available. : : I use the plastic top of a sunny delight container for my little sulcata baby. : : Hope this helps, : : Terry.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]