My tortoise has an eye infection or injury. What's the best action?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Hi, my tortoise seems to have an injury or small infection on one of his eyes - on the bottom eyelid. I can attach a picture. What is the best course of action?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 6th, 2016
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.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on November 22nd, 2019
Thanks for reaching out about Franklin. Try providing a warm water soak and then gently opening the eyes with a moistened soft cloth. Vitamin A deficiencies can often lead to secondary infections. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Systemic and ophthalmic antibiotic, in addition to a vitamin A injection, will often resolve these problems, but the diet and husbandry also need to be corrected. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I have a tortoise and suffer from swelling in the eyelid
This can be due to a Vitamin A deficiency, trauma or infection. If it is just one eye, it is likely one of the last two. You would need to have Soly physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose infection or injury. He may need antibiotics for infection. Make sure he is adequately hydrated and provide vegetables high in vitamin A (carrots, red peppers, etc.). A commercial tortoise diet can also be offered.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my tortoise wont open its eyes i was told its lack of vit a i have been bathing him in pureed carrot . his eyes are moving under neath
Hello there. Yes it does sound like a Vitamin A deficiency. Bathing him in carrot puree is not likely to help. You need to get him some topical eye drops such as these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11311&cmpid=07cseYY&ref=6196&subref=AA&cmpid=PLA_G_6196&gclid=CK6lo834ktQCFVKPfgodyvoJKA I am unsure what product is comparable in the UK. If you go to a reptile pet store I am sure they would have something. You honestly need to address the husbandry issues - diet, humidity, lighting, etc. This article may help. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1797&aid=2589 Reptiles have a slow metabolism so they get sick slowly and hence it will take a long time for them to get well. Don't expect an overnight fix. My best recommendation would be to have him evaluated by a reptile veterinarian so you can get the best treatment plan as he may have more going on than just the Vitamin A issue. I hope this helps. Dr. Amber
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi there, I have a horsefield tortoise that has only been opening one eye since yesterday and has now shut both of them. Would you be able to help? Thank you so much
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my hatchling red foot tortoise has a problem with keeping his eyes open for very long, he hasn't been eating as much as usual and when he closes his eyes I have to soak him in water to get him to open them back up. When his eyes close it almost l
Check the lighting in his enclosure. It may be too bright for him which can be irritating. Rinse his eyes with a sterile saline solution in case he has debris from the substrate. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be needed to diagnose eye infection or injury. Another possibility may be a Vitamin A deficiency. Feed a good quality commercial diet as well as dark, leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, dandelion greens, etc), carrots, squash and broccoli. Dust food with a calcium and multivitamin supplement as well.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My horsfield tortoise won’t open his eyes. He has stopped eating but still drinks and has quite a lot of energy, just as much as he ever had! What can I do to help him?
Thanks for reaching out about Franklin. Try providing a warm water soak and then gently opening the eyes with a moistened soft cloth. Vitamin A deficiencies can often lead to secondary infections. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Systemic and ophthalmic antibiotic, in addition to a vitamin A injection, will often resolve these problems, but the diet and husbandry also need to be corrected. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi there, I m Alexis and I am from Malaysia. I have an Indian Star tortoise. Recently I noticed that its eyes are a little red. Does tortoises' eyes always have a little redness in them or is there is something else (ie maybe there is an infection or
Hello Alexis! Thank you for using Boop by Petco. Without seeing the redness in the eyes myself it is difficult for me to say if there is a problem or not. I can tell you that one of the problems we see with tortoises and turtles is hypovitaminosis A (low vitamin A levels in the blood) which can cause eye problems. This low vitamin A typically happens when the tortoise is not being a fed a diet that is quite right and/or he is not getting the proper lighting. So, I suggest you refer to the link below about how to properly feed and provide lighting for your tortoise. If the eyes become swollen and he can't open them, then I would be worried. ( https://www.reptilecentre.com/info-indian-star-tortoise-care-sheet ) I hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Mi sideneck tutle has a white eye and am wondering what wrong
Eye conditions in turtles are usually caused by vitamin A deficiency, you should take Whiskers to a reptile vet specialist as soon as possible in order to get treated, he will need a vitamin injection as well as vitamin A eye drops.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
We have a Sulcata tortoise who is approx 6 mo old. His enclosure is kept at 85° ambient with a basking spot of around 100°, his humidity we try to keep at around 70-80% and he has a few humid places to hide. He has a UVB lamp. We feed him greens, kal
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My tortoise will barely open his eyes and when he does they are more white than black. Ive went to the vets twice and got eye drops but they haven't worked. I've changed his heat lamp and substrate but still no. What is wrong with him?
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I Have A Flapshell Turtle,Ent Bite In Her Eye he can't open full His Eye What Should I Do and He doesn't Eat last 3-4 days ?
Thanks for reaching out about your turtle. A wound to the eye and anorexia for several days is worrisome. A veterinary visit is needed to prescribe systemic and ophthalmic antibiotics, at the minimum. Keeping water quality good is very important also, to prevent infection through the damaged eye. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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