Box turtle - swollen eyes/peeling skin.

[Bagshaw]

The box turtle i recieved today to look after has peeling skin and has a white discharge from his eyes and they are hard to open. A cure for this would be cod liver oil, and 20-30 minute soaks. However, a cure for his peeling skin is to minimize soaking. What should i do?
Also, should the soaks be in warm water?
How moist should his terrarium be?
Should i use warm water for misting?

Thanks :grinyes:

 

[Vicious_Fish]

So how are those bark chips looking now? Swollen eyes are usually a result of too dry of an environment, dirty water, poor diet (vitamin A deficiency) or substrate issues (pine bark/chips/shavings). The turtle isn't weezing or has a nasal discharge, does it?

First off soak your turtle twice a day for 10 minutes in some warm water a couple inches deep. This should allow the turtle to open it's eyes and rub the puss out of them. You can buy some special turtle drops for this problem or if it's not too severe you can put some saline drops in it's eyes. Use a q-tip to gently wipe away any discharge around the eye.

Cod liver oil is great way to boost vitamin A, but most turtles don't like it. You can try to sprinkle some on some chopped up strawberries to mask the smell. Also feed the turtle some grated carrots and yellow squash which is high in vitamin A.

 

[Bagshaw]

Thanks vicious you pretty much help everyone with reptile problems here eh.
What should i do about the peeling skin?

 

[Bagshaw]

I believe this is the substrate, not sure though http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_231560_15849S.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm%3Fc%3D6016%2B6040%2B6496%26pcatid%3D6496&h=315&w=311&sz=36&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=azZvRsAM-QU8eM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dreptile%2Bbark%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Thanks vicious you pretty much help everyone with reptile problems here eh.
What should i do about the peeling skin?

Hey I'm just here to help.

I really wouldn't worry about the skin issue because it's probably related to a lack of humidity. Soaking the turtle should help. Also spray the tank/enclosure twice a day to raise the humidity. Turtles also shed skin just like snakes and lizards but not exactly to the same extent. They lose little pieces here and there and it's nothing to worry about. But if you are concerned you could post a pic.

 

[Bagshaw]

okay, should i mist with warm water?
also should the water i bath him in be declhorinated?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I believe this is the substrate, not sure though http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgu...w=116&prev=/images?q=reptile+bark&gbv=2&hl=en

That stuff is probably ok but I prefer to use Orchard Bark. You can buy cheap bags of it at garden centers, Lowe's or Home depot.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

okay, should i mist with warm water?
also should the water i bath him in be declhorinated?

Yes use warm water if you can. Dechlorinated water is fine too. Just make sure it's warm but not hot.

 

[calivivarium1]

I think Vicious is right-on. I have done that course of treatment in the past for something that sounds similar to the symptoms your turtle is displaying and it worked fine. I also agree that the skin condition will likely clear up as you follow that treatment plan.

 

[cam191919]

hmm, mine have never gotten sick. i guess its just the florida sun.