Conjunctivitis

Eye infections are quite common in Tortoises as they cannot remove an irritant themselves. Conjuctivitis is the most common of the eye infections but it is quite easy to treat. The infection is usually caused by a scratch on the eye, an irritant or even a burn from a heating lamp. Some tortoises have allergies in certain months of the year and this could contribute to the development of an eye infection such as conjunctivitis.

 

Causes:

• Exposure to infectious agents

• Viruses and bacterial infections 

• Weak immune system

• High stress environments

• A burn from a heating lamp

• Debris caught in the eye

• Dust/sand caught in the eye

• Allergens in the eye

 

Symptoms:

When a Tortoise has Conjunctivitis or another type of eye infection they usually present with the following behavioural and physical symptoms.

 

Behavioural:

• Squinting of the eye

• "Winking"

• Itching of the eye area

• Other signs of upper respiratory infections (Such as sneezing)

• General discomfort 

• Frequent closing of the eyes

 

Physical:

• Swelling around the eye(s)

• Red or white inner lining of the eye

• Clear, yellow or green ocular discharge

• Watering eyes

• Ocular cloudiness

• Change in eye colour

• Excessive debris in the corner of the eye

 

Prevention:

• Check your tortoise's eyes for any early physical symptoms of eye infection.

• Reduce stress in your tortoise's life to build up their immune system.

• Frequently visit the vets for check ups and virus shots.

• Keep your tortoise's environment clean and make sure he/she is not allergic to the type of bedding you are using.

• Wipe away crusts from the corner of your tortoise's eye with a clean damp cotton ball daily.

• Make sure there is no mould in the cage that they could be allergic to.

• Keep their diet healthy and balenced with lots of Vitamin C to stop theit immune system from getting weak.