Urgent Care :: Swollen Eyes and treatment

[ozziworld]

Have not seen my turtle open its eyes since he got the shot of vitamin a nd baytril administered by the vet. He also got some antibiotic ointment for his eyes. Has become more lethargic also.

Could it be a reation to the shots. I called the vet and he said to observe it another day. if things don't improve to bring him back to the vet.

I was so confident that he would be on his way to recovery. Am so disappointed with these developments. I hope it is a normal reaction to the shots.

[marisa]

It could be a reaction to the medication. Baytril will also surpress the appetite while a turtle is being treated with it. It may take a bit for him to be showing the signs of a recovery that you're hoping for.

Since you seem to have confidence in the vet, do as he says---see how your turtle is doing tomorrow and if there's absolutely no improvement, take him back to be seen.

[ozziworld]

Well He is doing so much better now. Finally saw his eyes open on Monday and the swelling has gone done considerably. He also started eating today. Have not seen him eat anything in two weeks.

Have a new problem to deal with.

His previous companions in the pond, another male red ear and a malayan box turtle are very agressive towrds him now when I reintroduced him back in the pond. He used to be the more dominant animal. He gets stressed from the Malayan box turtle trying to mount him. the other red ear also bothers him trying to flutter his long nails to attract sexual attention.

Anyway, I removed the two turtles to let him acclimate to his former environment and he started swmming around, exploring and actually fed actively.

Now I am contemplating if there is territoriality at work and the other turtles don't recognize him as a previous resident. I will probaly put him back in sick bay for another week or two and put the other turtles back in.

Am wondering if there is a better way to eventually reintroduce him back in the pond without getting the attention of the other residents. I was thinking if I removed the other two turtles when I reintroduce him he will re acclimate faster after which time perhaps I can put the other turtles in. By then maybe the 'territorial' factors may be equalized?

Please advise if anyone has any experience with this sort of thing.

[steve]

Territorial issues don't usually subside. I would wait until he is completely healthy before any type of re-introduction.

[TurtleLover_S&B]

I've heard that alot of turtles have had reactions to the Vitamin A shots.