Although the trusty tortoise has always been a relatively niche pet reptile, there popularity is remaining steady amongst reptile keepers rather than declining in popularity like some of the other niche reptiles.
Due to being such a niche pet, there can be very little information out there about how to care for your pet tortoise so we do see a large number of people reaching out with questions each month even though not many people keep a pet tortoise.
One question that can worry a large number of people who keep a pet tortoise both experienced and beginners is when their tortoise has sunken eyes.
We have seen a number of people reaching out recently and asking about treating their pet tortoise with sunken eyes to ask a number of questions so we have decided to publish this article to try and answer as many of them.
Is It Normal For A Tortoise To Have Sunken Eyes?
The first thing that you should establish is whether or not it is actually normal for your tortoise to have sunken eyes as this can help you understand the severity of the problem and how urgently you need to get your tortoise to a reptile vet.
Typically, it is not actually that common for a tortoise to have sunken eyes and if your tortoise does have sunken eyes, then this is usually an indication that there is something wrong.
What Causes Sunken Eyes In A Tortoise?
There are a few conditions which can cause a tortoise to have sunken eyes but by far, the most common cause is dehydration.
Dehydration is incredibly common in pet tortoises as they often do not drink enough water and so their bodies can start to dehydrate which leads to a number of different health problems.
If you think that your tortoise may be dehydrated then it is important to take them to see a reptile vet as soon as possible as dehydration can be incredibly serious and even fatal if it is not treated quickly.
There are a small number of other problems related to diet that can also cause sunken eyes in a tortoise but this is almost always due to unsuitable foods being eaten by the tortoise and it really is very rare.
If you are 100% sure that your tortoise is only eating suitable foods with a balanced macroniurtient profile with plenty of vitamins and minerals, even if the diet isn’t perfect, the chances of the sunken eyes in your tortoise being due to issues with the diet are minimal.
They are actually so small that we would only focus on potential problems with dehydration due to how common this issue actually is.
Dehydrated Tortoise Symptoms!
Here are some of the common symptoms that you can keep an eye out for in your pet tortoise to get a better idea of if your pet tortoise is actually dehydrated:-
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy or inactivity
- Lack of interest in food or water
- Wrinkled skin, especially on the limbs and head
- Dark urine
- Constipation
If you notice three or more of these issues then there is a good chance the issue with your pet tortoise is due to dehydration but it is still not guarenteed.
You can get custom advice specific to the condition of your tortoise by booking a video call with a vet to have them check your tortoise over via the camera on your smartphone to get specific advice.
How Do I Treat Sunken Eyes In A Tortoise?
If you think that the sunken eyes in your tortoise are due to dehydration then there are a few things that you can do at home to start treating the issue.
The first thing that you should do is increase the humidity in the enclosure as this will help to prevent further dehydration and will also make it easier for your tortoise to rehydrate.
You should also soak your tortoise in a shallow bath of warm water for around 20 minutes once per day to help rehydrate them.
During the bath, you can offer your tortoise some water to drink but do not force it as this can actually make the dehydration worse.
If you have any concerns about bathing your tortoise then you should seek professional advice from a reptile vet as they will be able to advise you on the best way to do this.
Once you have done this, you should start offering your tortoise more water to drink and also offer them some high-moisture foods such as lettuce, cucumber, and squash.
You should continue to offer these foods until the sunken eyes have gone away or until a veterinarian tells you to drop and to use a different treatment option.
If you are unsure about any of this then you should seek professional advice from a reptile vet as they will be able to advise you on the best way to treat your tortoise.
When To See A Vet For Sunken Eyes In A Tortoise?
If you have tried the above treatment for sunken eyes in a tortoise and it does not seem to be working then you should take your tortoise to see a reptile vet.
They will be able to give your tortoise a full health check and will also be able to advise you on the best course of treatment for your tortoise.
They may also want to take some samples to test for dehydration and other potential health problems.
If you are concerned about the cost of taking your tortoise to see a reptile vet then you should consider getting pet insurance as this can help to cover the cost of vet bills.
How Do I Prevent Sunken Eyes In My Tortoise In The Future?
The best way to prevent sunken eyes in your tortoise is to make sure that they are always well hydrated.
You can do this by making sure that they have access to fresh water at all times and also by offering them high-moisture foods such as lettuce, cucumber, and squash.
It is also a good idea to increase the humidity in their enclosure as this will help to prevent dehydration.
You should also soak your tortoise in a shallow bath of warm water for around 20 minutes once per day to help rehydrate them.
During the bath, you can offer your tortoise some water to drink but do not force it as this can actually make the dehydration worse.
If you have any concerns about bathing your tortoise then you should seek professional advice from a reptile vet as they will be able to advise you on the best way to do this.
You should also make sure that your tortoise has access to a UVB light as this will help them to absorb calcium and prevent health problems such as metabolic bone disease.
If you are concerned about any of these things then you should seek professional advice from a reptile vet as they will be able to advise you on the best way to care for your tortoise.
