Other Turtle Discussion :: shedding

[Whatapair]

do i have to worry if my res takes some time to open his/her eyes in the morning? is it because of the shedding? please help!

[steve]

There's no connection, under what circumstances are they opening their eyes slowly?

[marisa]

Do the lids appear to be stuck? Is your turtle rubbing at this eyes?

[Whatapair]

Yes exactly they look stuck like he wants to open his eyes and he rubs them..... it took him awhile but he finally got one open then the other, however it didn't happened today.... any idea what happening

[Caphits]

Probably from that vitamin a deficiency that your vet diagnosed.

Wasnt that your turtle?

Do you have a too strong UVB bulb? Or a new one?

[marisa]

Do you have AC in the room your turtle is in? If the air is very dry it could be drying the lids shut. There's no discharge coming from the eyes at all?

BTW, if there is AC in the room, make sure your turtle isn't in the line of any vents or drafts--he could develop a respiratory infection.

[Whatapair]

no Caphits that wasn't my turtle and i have a 100 watt UVB and heat bulb and yes its new no there's no discharge and yes we do have an AC in the room he is in, but the AC is on only at night and he's not in the line of the draft.... should i move him? the temp for the water right now is 85 is that too high? and the basking area is 95 should i make any changes? also i changed his diet from Nutrafin Turtle Gammarus to ReptoMin also the Reptomin treats.... is a change in food a possible cause?

[marisa]

The food change is unrelated. But it does sound like the air might too dry---AC dries the air, and if it's on at night and your turtle has trouble opening his eyes in the morning, well, there could very well be a connection...

Also, a water temp of 85F is too warm, even for a sick turtle. And a basking area temp of 95F is also too warm (and will dry the skin/lids). I would, for a healthy hatchling/small RES, normally have the water temp at 77-78F and the basking area 88-90F.

I'd be careful using AC in the room you turtle is in. Cool breezes, even if he's not directly in front of a vent, can cause health problems. What's the room temp with the AC on?