Tortoise eye problem

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 12:13:31 GMT

[quote user="Gerbil"]also I thought Herpes was a swab not blood[/quote]

you are quite right..... must remember to turn on brain before posting when tired next time!

To be honest, if this is a colony (of same species I assume) rather than an individual then it does become more likely that it is an individual issue. However, it is still worth looking at the husbandry in detail as hatchlings kept in what would be an ideal enclosure for an adult can still be too cold, or even be bullied and end up being excluded from the best heat/lighting areas - this can take so pretty good detective work to discover though!

I'd be looking to first check general health with bloods and full body radiography (including skull), then if AOK, full GA to do ocular exam and if necc swab for microbiology and herpes.

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 07:51:28 GMT

[quote user="Gerbil"][quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

"If British room temperature was ideal for tortoises, we'd have wild ones!"

[/quote] Living wild in our rooms I presume? :-) also I thought Herpes was a swab not blood.

[/quote]

Living wild in our forests and meadows. There's a reason you've never heard of the British Forest Turtle or the English Meadow Tortoise. :)

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 07:50:35 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]

the owner has about 20 other torts, many in the same housing as this one, so wouldn't you expect more than one animal to be affected?

[/quote]

No, because:

1. different individuals respond differently to poor husbandry

2. the infection (if it is infection) would need direct contact to pass - it's not aerosol

3. Counteracting my last point, you mentioned the owner only brought things in as a last ditch measure - for all we know, other torts DO have this.

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Gerbil — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 22:24:39 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

"If British room temperature was ideal for tortoises, we'd have wild ones!"

[/quote] Living wild in our rooms I presume? :-) also I thought Herpes was a swab not blood.

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Busybee — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:54:45 GMT

[quote user="Chris Geddes"]Sure you'll get an answer on here, but David Williams at Cambridge Vet School is an ophthalmologist with specialist interest in exotic species. Might be worth giving him a call?[/quote]

Excellent, may try him on Monday!

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Sounds like a dreadful diet I'm afraid.[/quote]

I know, I agree with you.

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]It is really important that a detailed history is taken, including exactly what the husbandry is like. [/quote]

My colleague may have this information but it wasn't passed onto me if he did. I haven't spoken to the owners, only very briefly seen the tort and was asked in passing if I could ask around for information. I appreciate that this may well hold some clues - and thank you for the tips about the lighting and the sand - but the owner has about 20 other torts, many in the same housing as this one, so wouldn't you expect more than one animal to be affected?

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]It may also be worth taking some blood for herpes[/quote]

Another task for monday! :)

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:27:20 GMT

Temperature is also not likely to be ideal; july heatwave notwithstanding! If the tort has been kept too cool for years, the immune system won't have been able to handle infection. 20-30 celsius is ideal, NOT room temperature. I went to a lecture by Kevin Eatwell, and he phrased it brilliantly. Paraphrased: "If British room temperature was ideal for tortoises, we'd have wild ones!"

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:21:03 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]The diet sounds pretty rich - lots of fruit and vegetable - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, bananas etc and not much else.[/quote]

Sounds like a dreadful diet I'm afraid.

[quote user="Busybee"]Environmental habitat - I'm afraid I don't know, which is probably pretty useless, sorry![/quote]

It is really important that a detailed history is taken, including exactly what the husbandry is like. Things as simple as as inappropriate light bulbs (wrong 'strength', set too low in tank) can cause painful eyes, and therefore the blepharospasm you describe. Fine sand substrate can also cause chronic conjunctivitis.

Start with the husbandry, as this is the cause of at least 90% of the problems we see.

It may also be worth taking some blood for herpes.

Good luck!

Re: Tortoise eye problem

Chris Geddes — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 17:52:07 GMT

Sure you'll get an answer on here, but David Williams at Cambridge Vet School is an ophthalmologist with specialist interest in exotic species. Might be worth giving him a call?

Chris