My tortoise has a runny nose and watery eyes. Does it need a vet?

This sounds like an upper respiratory infection. First you need to check your husbandry. Is the enclosure the proper temperature/humidity? Has the temperature changed drastically in the last few weeks? Have you moved the enclosure? Are you feeding him the correct diet and vitamin supplements? How is the lighting? Have you changed the bulbs in the last 6 months? My recommendation is to take him to a vet to get antibiotics.

It sounds like your tortoise has an upper respiratory tract infection. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian that is comfortable treating reptiles. She may need x-rays to determine what is going on. Your vet will probably recommend antibiotics and possibly a breathing treatment to help clear up the nasal passages. Good luck.

Check the temperature across the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Expect Raph to be a bit skittish in his new home. Make sure he has fresh food and clean water. Give him a week or so to "settle in". When around the cage, move slowly and speak softly. Being that he is "new", he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to make sure the runny nose is not due to a developing respiratory infection.

Sounds like she has an upper respiratory infection (URI). You need to get her to a reptile vet as soon as you can. She will need antibiotics to get this to clear up. Many tortoises get URI if they get too cold when they are hibernating. That is my best guess as to what happened here. You definitely need a vet that is used to treating reptiles. If you don't already have a vet you work with I found this one in your area. ( https://lovinghandsanimalhospital.com/meet-our-team.html ) Hope this helps. Best wishes!

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.

Yes, it is possible Melanie has a respiratory infection. She should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to confirm the diagnosis. Antibiotics will be necessary if this is the case. Left untreated, she may develop pneumonia which can be life threatening. If an experienced reptile vet is unavailable, your local veterinarian may be able to consult with one online or by phone. Follow this link for a file regarding care of flapshells: http://www.infowares.com/j/indian_flapshell_turtle_caresheet.pdf You may need to take her from the garden and set up a tank for Melanie while she is being treated. It will make it easier to treat and monitor her condition.

It may provide an immune system boost and could stimulate the appetite which is important in a sick pet. Personally, I think the claims it makes as an "antibiotic" may be a bit thin. You can try it for a day or two, but if you don't see an improvement, have Tart examined by your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and an appropriate treatment.