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eye injury

PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:54 pm
by Lauraeli
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I caught my bfs turtle biting at the other turtles face. Her eye is injured...we got terramycin ointment to put on it twice a day. I don't really know anything about turtles. Is this common? Will it heal ok?

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:08 pm
by steve
Not sure how well it would heal, it's possible. First they need permanent separation. Even on land, you will want to keep them apart. terramycin might help but this isn't really an infection. I would also see if some dry docking will help with healing, and you should also consider visiting a vet given the severity.

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:16 pm
by Lauraeli
I did remove the other turtle immediately. I got the terramycin to make sure it doesn't get infected. What is dry docking? Would keeping her warm help? She's in hibernation mode right now

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:39 am
by PokePony
Ouch... that looks really bad... Poor girl. :s

I wouldn't let her brumate in that state. Dry docking means keeping your turtle outside of the water until it completely dries off. It helps fight numerous infections. The amount of hours per day you need to dry dock your turtle depends on the situation. You should provide her with a basking light during this process. Are you going to see a vet soon ?

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:05 pm
by steve
You can look into a triple antibiotic to help keeping infection away or something like Neosporin. What do you mean by hibernation mode?

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:59 pm
by Lauraeli
Ah ok. She does dry dock herself for multiple hours in the day so I think we're ok there.

But she is in semi-dormancy for the winter, my bf said she won't eat til spring. I didn't suggest to him a vet. It doesn't look infected and she seems to be acting normally for the most part. Maybe hiding her head a little more than usual, which is understandable.

Her eye appears to be healing already. I will take more pictures when I get home.

Do I need to bring her out of her dormant state? If so, how? I believe both turtles were wild caughr so idk how to accomplish such a thing. Since I'm not sure what triggers it

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:29 pm
by steve
It's not really hibernation (reptiles technically brumate), so I'd be very careful about her dormant state. How long have you had her?

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:11 am
by Lauraeli
She's not my turtle. I think my bf said he has had her about five years.

No pics yesterday...when I got home it was late and she was already tucked in for bed and sleeping

I think she must have an internal clock that she goes by for 'brumating' because being indoors affects day length and tperature, so it can't be either of those.

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 1:22 pm
by steve
It varies, but I know a lot of people who do it this way without issue, but its still not recommended.

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:01 pm
by Lauraeli
Steve, which way do you mean?

Here is a picture from the other day. I don't think there's an eye in there, poor girl. The bf has been putting ointment on her every day but it looks like she'll have to be happy with just the one eye. :-/

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:06 pm
by Lauraeli
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Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:49 am
by steve
Some people just leave their turtle in a dry tank or with little water, no heating, filtration, lighting, etc. during winters. That's not hibernation or brumation... just a period of inactivity and I wouldn't recommend it. As for the eye, its probably still there as the eyelids are very sensitive, but not having her seen by a vet will not help. Maybe look for a rehabber or rescue if funds are an issue.

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 9:56 pm
by Lauraeli
She is still in her regular tank and we turn the light on for her everyday. She just doesn't have an appetite and will ignore food. They do that every winter.

As far as her eye goes, it has healed nicely and she is feeling much better. She doesn't hide her head all day or sit on the bottom of the tank a lot like she was before. I really don't think there is an eye there as wheb you look at the profile of her head from above, there is a bit of an indent compared to the other eye. In any case, it healed closed. No functioning eyelids. She should be fine now, aside from having only one good eye.

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 9:59 pm
by Lauraeli
I don't think the eye is missing entirely but it was almost certainly damaged by the other turtle. So I guess I meant to say I don't think there is a whole, functioning eye there.

Re: eye injury

PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 2:25 am
by PokePony
The important thing is that it healed and wasn't infected. Very happy to hear she is doing better now !