My Turtles Eyes

[Kiwi/Thai]

Hi Guys and Girls

I need some help. I have three turtles that I've had for about three years. The two larger ones are pretty healthy and shy, the smaller one has always been a bit more sociable and hence my favourite. Every day it sunbathes on one paticular rock so I get to see him/her everyday. Today I noticed while in the pond that he/she did not even wake up as I approached. I picked it up and still the eyes did not open and looked sunken. I have never taken much notice of his/her wieght however she/he feels pretty light. I'm wondering if maybe she/he has become blind a consequently now lost wieght. I will buy some worms today and try to feed her/him although what I would rather do long term is find out if a) is there a vet on phuket that has experience with reptiles and is there anything I should be aware of such as eye drops or such. I have never kept turtles before however I felt I should have bring these ones home as they were for sale at the local market I presumed for food.

Thanks heaps for any help.

[BambinA]

It seems like Vitamin A deficiency to me.

Tx. Buy Vit A from a drug store and use a set of syringe+needle drawn the liquid from the capsule then feed your turtle (by syringe without a needle)

Vit A 1 capsule = 25,000 I.U.

Dosage 10,000 I.U. / turtule feed it every 3-5 days(per 1 time) , for a period of 1-1.5 month.

Note, try to feed a variety of food for long term prevention

ps. you can mix Vit A with food for the other turtle.

Edited November 15, 2007 by BambinA

[Kiwi/Thai]

Bambina, you aways come through with sound advise, thanks so much, will keep you posted.

[bina]

melissa kaplan's website for reptiles, she is world renown most of our zoo reptile people i know use her advice....

bina

ps she is very very pedantic in her dietary advice but still is very good

[Kiwi/Thai]

Thanks to both Bambina and Bina. I tried the Vit A and hand feeding but was not confident that after the first day that I was doing much good. Finally I found a great vet on Phuket that specialises in reptiles. I've taken "her" to him and he has kept her in the surgery for the care she needs. Bambina Vit A was exactly right however she was malnourished as well. The vet taught me so much about diet etc that I really had no idea about. From now on I am going to have much happier healthier turtles. Thanks again, Kiwi

Dr Apichat Parsing 081 5450429 Pet Home Clinic 076 245913

[sbk]

Kiwithai, i am adding your recommendation to the Vets in Thailand thread. Great to hear you've found a good one and your turtles are going to be fine.

[Kiwi/Thai]

awesome! I wondered if posting his details was against the rules, but hey if it helps someone else, why not. Thanks sbk. My friends think I've lost the plot taking a turtle to a vet, especially my girlfriend from up north, she can't understand why I don't just cook it.

[bina]

kiwi did u check out the melissa site??? she really is the 'cats meiow' when it comes to reptiles, with links etc. we use it alot for our igguanas and tortoises (sudan).... she's a bit turtle crazy but still...

bina