Is it normal for turtles to have watery eyes?
A runny eye, or an eye the turtle keeps rubbing, could be a sign of irritation or injury, especially if only one eye appears infected. Cloudiness in one or both of your turtle’s eyes, excessive discharge or swollen eyelids are all signs of possible illness and/or vitamin deficiency.
Why do tortoises have tears?
As reptilian kidneys are unable to excrete large volumes of salt via urine, sea turtles evolved specialised secretory glands (lachrymal glands) located in the corner of each eye to remove excess salt. The liquid secreted gives the appearance of tears, hence why turtles are often reported to “cry” .
What should I do if my tortoise’s eye is closed?
If the tortoise is out in the garden, it could be a sting or a thorn has affected the eye. If the eye is closed and is gummy, it may help to try and get it open with a cotton wool ball soaked in boiled water that has been allowed to cool almost to room temperature. If this doesn’t work, then a visit to the vet is in order.
Why do babies have watery eyes all the time?
Watery eyes in babies is caused by a blockage to the tear duct either on one side or both. The tear ducts normally drain the tears that the body naturally makes to keep the eyes moist. Tear ducts are narrow in babies and can easily block.
Are there eye problems in tortoises and turtles?
Eye problems in tortoises and turtles are fairly common and not usually too difficult to treat.
What should you do if you have a baby tortoise?
If you do handle the tortoise, be careful not to distress it by flipping it over or dropping it. Do not allow children to handle the tortoise without supervision or for long periods of time. Prevent pyramiding. Pyramiding is a condition that is very common among tortoises that are raised in captivity.
What to do if a tortoise has an eye problem?
Many eye problems in turtles and tortoises are quite easy to sort out because they are because of mechanical damage, a scratch or a grass seed or something similar. If they are because of an infection, antibiotic creams or an injection will usually do the trick.
Is it normal for babies to have watery eyes?
Watery eyes in babies are not a cause of concern. If the reason is a blocked tear duct, then it is likely to be cleared within infancy. However, you need to be on the watch for other symptoms such as redness and inflammation that could point towards other problems.
When to take a tortoise to the vet?
Drops or ointments for humans can be used as a short term measure to make the tortoise or turtle more comfortable, but they should be taken to the vet as soon as it is convenient. If your tortoise wakes from hibernation with an eye problem, look for any foreign bodies which may have got into its eye from the bedding.
Is there anything wrong with a tortoise peeing like water?
There is nothing wrong with clear pee in a well hydrated tortoise. The tortoise is likely excreting all the extra water from the inappropriate wet diet you are feeding. They need high fiber weeds and leaves, not lettuce and tomatoes. I disagree. There’s nothing wrong with clear urine. They don’t always excrete urates.
