This is one case from a series of reports compiled as part of an investigation into photo-kerato-conjunctivitis, possibly occurring as a result of excessive low-wavelength UVB radiation under certain brands of fluorescent UVB lamp. Please do not view this one case without reference to the whole report of which it is a part.

Case History : DM1 (Italy) - Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca)

Case examined by Michele Buono DVM (Turin, Italy)

A 3-year-old Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) was brought to the veterinary clinic in April 2007 for the "bumpy" appearance of its carapace and for the presence of "worms" in the faeces.

At the clinical examination the tortoise showed signs of severe MBD, with softening of the carapace and pyramidalization of scutes. The animal was eating normally. Faecal examination revealed the presence of ascarid eggs.

The animal was dewormed with oral fenbendazole at a dosage of 40mg/kg once a week for 4 weeks (Panacur 10% Suspension, Intervet) and therapy was begun with intramuscular injection of 500 IU/kg vitamin D3 (Adisterolo 50, Abiogenpharma) and subcutaneous injection of calcium borogluconate with dextrose (ATI) at a dosage of 100mg/kg.

A new ZooMed Reptisun 10.0 Compact Lamp was set up at a distance of 20 cm (8in) from the animal, which was housed, during treatment, in a wood and glass terrarium normally used during the winter.

After 4 days the tortoise developed a kerato-conjunctivitis with a serous discharge from the eyes, and stopped eating. Topical ophthalmic ointment containing chloramphenicol, rolitetracycline and colistin methanesulphonate (Colbiocin RTM, Sifi SpA) was applied and the lamp was replaced by a ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 Compact Lamp at a distance of 30 cm from the basking spot.

In 10 days, the tortoise's eyes were back to normal and it began to eat again. The tortoise was re-examined in August 2007; the animal appeared healthy and the carapace had hardened, but was still deformed.