Urgent Care :: Turtle eye drops

[b0rn s0 awed]

We're having a hard time looking for turtle eye drops, as it turns out to be very rare here in the Philippines. Someone recommended grinding up carrots and giving the juice to the turtle, but he won't open his mouth. And another thing, is there a generic name for the eye drops? My sister went to a pet store and they're asking for the generic name.

[steve]

Is there a reason why you need eye drops? What kind are you looking for?

[b0rn s0 awed]

My turtle's eyes are swollen and closed. We went to an animal clinic the week before and "Vitamin A reptile eye drops" is written on the prescription. I've been calling pet shops, but they don't have any.

[steve]

Can you get Cod Liver Oil? The ones I purchased from a pharmacy came as gel tablets. You might also find this in a health food store. Apply some to the eyelid with a cotton swab.

However, you should ask the animal clinic where to buy the correct medicine if you were given a prescription for it.

[marisa]

The clinic you got the prescription from should be able to tell you where to get them. I'm a little surprised they don't have their own pharmacy in the premises where you can buy it.

Try to find plain cod liver oil--buy it in gel tablet form if you can and apply some to the eye lid with a q-tip twice a day for several days and see if this doesn't help.

As for the carrot juice---will the turtle eat if you hold some smelly food in front of him? If he will, I'd soak the food (tuna, sardines) in the carrot juice and see if he'll take it if you hold it in front of him.

[b0rn s0 awed]

Steve and Marisa,

Thank you so much for the tips. My mom is now out getting cod liver oil as I type this. Most vets around here specializes on dogs and cats. Thankfully, we found a vet who treats turtles, albeit being an hour-drive away. The doctor told my mom that it would be hard to look for turtle eye drops here... so thank God for cod liver oil and people like you.

[RESCHIU]

they should have ZooMEd turtle eye drop at the pet store(like petsmart), it appears to be in red color. It contains vitamin A and can also act as preventative for the swollen eye. Though my turtle never have any eye problem while I bought the eye drop so I can't say how well it work...

[samandnelly]

You might want to call the vet and ask her where she recommends finding them.

[b0rn s0 awed]

We went to the vet today, despite the heavy rain and floods. He gave us Vitamin A on a syringe, and he applied some to my turtle. Later on, his eyes are starting to open! When we got home, we tried to feed him, as he hasn't eaten for a while now... he's eating again! I just want to thank you people who took time to view and reply.

On a side note, he didn't recommend the cod liver oil.

[marisa]

Cod liver oil is just one source of Vit A. It's pretty easy to get here, perhaps not in the Philippines.

[Madeleine]

THANK GOODNESS YOU POSTED ABOUT THIS!!!!

One of our babys has swollen and closed eyes....he is VERY hungry and is having trouble swimming and eating. I was able to get a pellet to him tonight and to get him it eat some before helping back onto the floating rock thing.

I will go get V-A oil tonight.

[steve]

Madeleine, I've commented on your other post: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=41349