Why won't my tortoise open its eyes? Is it Vitamin A deficiency?

Have him rechecked for vitamin A deficiency. Your herp vet can give an injection or dispense oral beta-carotene which Herman can convert to the active form of vitamin A. Dust food with a multivitamin powder 2-3 times weekly. A calcium supplement can be offered the other days. Use a 10% UVB light source making sure it is not blocked by glass or plexiglass. Consider a ceramic heat emitter instead of a bright heat lamp. Rinse the eyes with sterile saline solution if he allows. Monitor humidity levels and air circulation in the enclosure. Remove any furniture that may cause eye trauma.

Most eye conditions in tortoises are due to vitamin A deficiency. I would recommend taking Ivor to an exotic vet specialist in order to get it checked and treated, he will need a vitamin injection as well as vitamin A eye drops.

Thanks for reaching out about Zuzu and including photos. This is likely an infection with a hypovitaminosis A component. Offer a warm water soak and gently ladle water over the head/eyes. With a moistened clean washcloth, try and open the eyes. Review diet and husbandry, as being at the Preferred Optimal Temperature Zone (POTZ) for the species will help stimulate the immune system. Diet should include fresh red/yellow/orange vegetables to improve vitamin A intake. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan that could include injectable and ophthalmic antibiotics. Good luck.

This could be due to a vitamin A deficiency. Be sure to feed a balanced diet and supplement with a powdered multi vitamin dusted onto food. If this doesn't help, see your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Try to get the humidity down to between 40% and 60%. Maintain the humid hides at the levels described.

Hi there. It sounds like Aang could have the beginning of a Vitamin A deficiency. If you are feeding the same feeder insect all the time (crickets and mealworms only) you are at risk of causing hypovitaminosis A. Not only do you have to vary the types of insects you are feeding her, you also have to preload or dust the insects with Vitamin A before you feed them to Aang. This is a product you would want to get: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=31924 Follow the feeding instructions on the bottle. Double check all your husbandry. You didn't mention the temperature in the cage or the lighting. You need to make sure this is correct. This article should help: https://www.thespruce.com/leopard-geckos-1236911 Best wishes to you. Hope this was helpful! Dr. Amber

Most eye issues in red eared sliders is related to a vitamin A deficiency. This deficiency is caused by improper diet. You must correct his diet in order for him to get well. You also need to make sure everything else is correct - water temperature, basking temperature, cage size, etc. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/vitamin-a-deficiency-signs-diagnosis-treatment-and-preventi/ ) Please realize that reptiles have a very slow metabolism. It takes a long time for them to show illness and subsequently, a long time to get well. So, this is not a quick fix. It may take months before he is back to normal. Be careful over-supplementing with Vitamin A, more is not better. You can cause an overdose if you give too much. That is why it is best to work with your vet. It sounds like they are on the right track with treatment.

Make sure he is not chilled. Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. A Vitamin A deficiency may be responsible for the eye issues. Feed a good quality commercial diet and supplement with dark, leafy greens and fresh vegetables. Dust food with a calcium and multivitamin supplement several times weekly as well. Provide an adequate UVA/UVB light source that runs the length of the tank. Position it no more than 14 inches away from him. Do not place glass or plexiglass between him and the UVB source. Juveniles normally have a soft shell until about 6-8 months of age when it begins to harden.