Vitamin A is an extremely essential nutrient for turtles and any lack thereof can be extremely hazardous, particularly among younger tortoises.
A diet consisting of an assortment of vegetables will prevent deficiencies. Overeating can result in hypervitaminosis A toxicity which can prove deadly for turtles.
Contents
Symptoms
Vitamin A is essential to the wellbeing of turtles, helping maintain healthy skin, eyes, mouth, mucous membranes and kidneys as well as upper respiratory tract function. Deficient levels may result in ear abscesses or eye disease.
Symptoms may include swollen eyes, puffy skin that flakes off or peels, constant nasal discharge, ulcers on the mouth and lips, poor appetite and lethargy – symptoms similar to many diseases; therefore if your turtle appears abnormal it’s wise to visit a vet immediately for an exam.
Hypovitaminosis A can often be caused by providing turtles with an unhealthy diet consisting of mostly iceberg lettuce and meat, according to research conducted at Cornell University. A veterinarian may then administer oral or injected Vitamin A therapy; if your turtle suffers secondary bacterial or fungal infections in its skin, eyes, mouth or organs, topical antifungals or systemic antibiotics may also be prescribed by them as prescribed.
Diagnosis
An injured turtle should be brought immediately to a veterinarian for evaluation, who will need to gather its full medical history as well as examine its eyes and mouth. They’ll also want to know about any supplements it has been receiving as part of its diet.
Vitamin A is essential in the formation of healthy mucous membranes, skin and organ ducts (small tubes that carry fluids such as saliva or bile), among others. Without sufficient Vitamin A levels in our bodies, squamous metaplasia could develop which disrupts normal organ functioning and disrupts normal skin health as a whole.
Vitamin A deficiency in turtles usually manifests itself with closed or crusted over eyes, skin shedding problems, nose or mouth ulcers, appetite loss and respiratory tract problems such as pneumonia. Therefore, early diagnosis by a veterinarian is critical; sooner their condition can be addressed the easier it will be managed.
Treatment
As part of their treatment, turtles should receive a diet tailored specifically for their species and considering whether they are carnivorous or herbivorous. Vitamin A supplements may be given orally or through injection (in severe cases). Care must be taken not to oversupplement, since excess can be toxic to them.
Vitamin A is vital to the overall health and development of young turtles, aiding their proper development and growth. Vitamin A plays an essential role in supporting skin, mucous membranes and fluid-carrying ducts in turtle organs – especially young ones! Specifically important when helping young turtles reach maturity at a steady pace.
Assuring your turtle has access to a balanced diet of leafy green vegetables (ideally kale), orange-colored foods from time to time, insects, mealworms and pellets is key in avoiding Vitamin A deficiency. As they eat and grow, their metabolism should adjust over time until reaching optimal levels – this should take 6-8 weeks in most cases but in extreme cases your vet may inject Vitamin A directly.
Prevention
Diet is the key to preventing turtle vitamin A deficiency. All turtles should receive a diet rich in dark green, yellow and orange vegetables as well as live fish and pellets containing vitamins and minerals; avoid feeding iceberg lettuce, all-meat diets or any low nutrient leafy greens such as iceberg lettuce.
Vitamin A deficiencies in turtles must be remedied through changing their food and supplementation with oral vitamins prescribed by a veterinarian. Since pure vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, any powder or liquid supplements must be measured carefully and administered as per vet orders.
If a turtle displays symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency such as swollen eyes or aural abscesses, treatment and evaluation must be sought as soon as possible from a veterinarian. They will conduct an extensive physical exam including an oral and eye exam as well as assess any health problems before creating a tailored treatment plan to address those concerns.
