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69846
I would recommend staying away from the eye drops sold in the pet stores. Vets do have eyedrops and dont need to have eye drops specifically for turtles. In fact, no such drop exists. There are many prescription eye drops and ointments that you can purchase through a vet that I would feel more comfortable using. These drops vets carry have been used successfully and ingredients are known. What the pet stores are selling are simply not good to recommend and in fact they can be dangerous to the turtle.
Eye problems can occur in turtles due to Vit A deficiency, but this is not usually the case. Many vets jump on the Vit A kick and automatically start with injections of Vit A. This can be toxic and deadly. An overdose of Vit A can cause skin to slough off in large amounts, where it will actually be raw. Its quite painful and usually almost impossible to save the turtle with a Vit A overdose. Vit A is abundant in many foods, such as vegetables. and dietary intake of these foods is sufficient to correct a deficiency and to maintain the needed levels of this vitamin in the bloodstream.
My recomendation is to keep looking for a vet that does understand turtles. It is very important to have a vet to turn to when the need arises. Self treating in dangerous and can be lethal. While information that you can get in a forum is valuable it is not meant to replace quality medical care. If you have a vet that is less versed in chelonian medicine, information you get from individuals on a forum or other source may be invaluable because it is based on experience, but still seek a vet that has some knowledge even if you are through this crisis. You'll be glad you did. I have been rehabbing turtles for nearly 10 yrs and am very experienced, but I still have a vet.
Debbie
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