Why is my red-eared slider lethargic, not eating, and has sunken eyes?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
One of my two, three year-old red eared-sliders has become lethargic, not wanting to eat. The turtle sleeps all day and moves very little. Also, its eyes have began to sunk, and every time it is underwater it closes them; they get red a little, as if they itched. My other red-eared slider eats plenty, is always on the move, and weighs plenty, in contrast to the first one which weighs little (it used to weigh more maybe two months ago). I didn't notice until recently and am very concerned.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 30th, 2017
If possible, separate them until you get a diagnosis. Get a stool sample from the sick turtle and submit it to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial infection. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles is strongly recommended given the marked weight loss and lethargy. Increase water and ambient temperatures by a few degrees to support the sick turtle. Offer a biologically appropriate, species specific diet as well as proper vitamin and mineral supplementation. Check the UVB bulb and replace it of it is older than 6 months old. The symptoms you describe have multiple causes, so it is important to have an exam and testing to reach a diagnosis. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Follow the link below for information regarding care and husbandry of red eared sliders. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 15th, 2017
Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend any medications without an examination, however most of the time reptiles become sick because we aren't providing them with the environment and or food that they are designed for. A great resource is www.anapsid.org for correct temperatures , humidity, light sources, and diets for all turtle species. In general providing a turtle with a very warm asking area 90 degrees or so can help them seek a "behavioral fever" to help fight off infection. If he isn't improving he may need antibiotics from a veterinarian. I hope this provides you with some help!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My red eared slider will not eat and isn’t sleeping in the water. I bought her on Labor Day and she hasn’t eaten once. I’ve tried everything from live prey to turtle sticks. She doesn’t show signs of respitory trouble but her eyes are puffy and she i
Check the water temperature. It may be too cold for her. Ideally, it should be heated to between 75 F and 86 F. It should also be filtered to keep it clean. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in turtles. The swollen eyes may be due to infection, trauma or vitamin deficiency. Warm her up and then see if she will eat. Bits of raw, beef heart can be used to stimulate her appetite. Find it at your local butcher shop. Once she is eating, feed a combination of live prey, commercial pellets and fresh greens/vegetables. Go to the local Petco and pick up some ZooMed Repti-Turtle Eye Drops. This can be used to help her eyes. If there is no improvement, she will need to see your veterinarian. You can review slider care at the link below. I will also include a link for the eye drops. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an aquatic red ear slider turtle. He is very lethargic and his legs are swollen. He hasn't been eating. What should I do?
The swollen legs and poor shell condition may be due to poor husbandry (diet and environment). Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. The stress of being in low temps can lead to illness or infection. A poor diet, especially one low in calcium, can lead to poor shell condition and MBD ( metabolic bone disease). This may account for the swollen legs. Ideally, Dave should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Supportive care and calcium supplementation may be indicated to get him on the road to recovery. In the meantime, maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water. Provide a balanced diet including protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc.) fresh greens and vegetables and commercial pellets. Provide a multivitamin and a calcium supplement along with adequate unfilterer sunlight or UVB lighting. You can review slider care at the links below
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My Red Eared Slider turtle is not eating anything. I have two of them- Ruro and Tobi. One day I mistakenly put them under the sunlight for an hour instead of 20-30 mins. I don't know if that's the reason, but after that tobi stopped eating and rarely
They may have gotten a bit overheated. Tobi may be developing or has a respiratory infection. The wheezing is a common symptom. You would need to have your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles perform a physical exam for confirmation. Antibiotics are typically required to treat an infection. In the meantime, maintain pristine water quality, soak them in a warm 50/50 solution of water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage fro 30 minutes daily until the appetite returns. Keep them out of direct sunlight for extended periods of times, especially if it is hot outside. Consider raising the temp in the tank and water by about 5-10 F temporarily to aid in recovery. Offer bits of beef heart to stimulate the appetite. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I believe my red eared slider turtle is sick. She normally is active but has been staying in one spot for the past couple of days. She has still been eating though, What should I do??
Sorry to hear about Pokey! I would certainly be concerned about her as lethargy in an otherwise active turtle could certainly be a sign of disease. Firstly, I would have a really good look at her and see if there are any other signs such as damage to her shell, rapid breathing etc. If you notice anything I would go to a herp vet asap. If she seems fine aside from being lerhargic, and is continuing to eat well my first step would be to look at the housing. Make sure her water is clean and filters are working well. Secondly you can increase the temperature of the air and water by a few degrees as she may be lethargic due to being too cold. If this does not help go to the reptile vet. Consider your general husbandary, does she get UVA and UVB? Calcium, temperature regulation, water quality etc? Hopefully she will respond well to a slight increase in temperature though. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a red eared slider turtle, that has swoleen eyes, I have went to a local vet who gave me a eye drops called tobradex, and augemntine, but nothing has worked for her, she has been sleeping most day for the last couple month with no eating, I th
This is likely due to a vitamin A deficiency if antibiotic therapy has not helped. This product ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops ) may help along with a diet rich in vitamin A. Check the temperatures in the tank. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. You can use bits of raw beef heart to stimulate the appetite. Ince the turtle is eating, switch to a diet including a protein source (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc.) Fresh greens and vegetables and commercial pellets. Powdered multivitamin and calcium supplementation is also recommended. Review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hi, my pet turtle is about 2 inches in size. it is a red eared slider. it is inactive since 3 days. it always stays on stone closing its eyes, even if i disturb it.it is struggling to open eyes.please help me by suggesting any medicine to make it ac
Check the water temperature and ambient temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Keep the water between 24 C and 30 C. A basking spot out of the water should be 29 C to 31 C. UVB lighting should also be provided. Maintain water quality to prevent infections and feed an appropriate diet with vitamin and mineral supplementation. A vitamin A deficiency can cause swelling of the eyes. Repti-Turtle Eye Drops (by Zoo Med) can be used to help the eyes. Find it online or in the local pet store. Soak the little guy in a 50/50 mix of warm water and an electrolyte replacement beverage to maintain hydration. You can read more about care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Just today, I found my baby Red Eared Slider sitting on top of the platform with his eyes closed. I patted his head (which he usually enjoyed), but he was unresponsive. He used to be very active. I feed him a mixture of pellets, shrimp, and mealworms
Juvenile turtles require warmer temperatures. Increase the water temperature to between 82F and 85F. The basking area should be around 85-88F. Make sure you have a UVB light source as well that is not blocked by plastic or glass. Feed juveniles 2-3 times daily. To keep the water cleaner, feed in a separate tank or bowl and return him to the main tank when he is done. The temp increase may be enough to perk him up again. If not, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Sustained low temps can predispose him to respiratory infection or other illnesses. Follow this link for more information regarding care and feeding of RES: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have two baby red eared sliders about two inches long. Both we’re doing great, however the male one won’t eat. He has no mucus, isn’t wheezing or coughing, and doesn’t swim lopsided. He just doesn’t eat, and looks exhausted. His eyes are not swolle
Without an exam, it can be difficult to determine what may be wrong. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. You can offer bits of raw beef heart to stimulate the appetite. Be sure to offer a balanced diet including protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc.) fresh greens and vegetables and a small amount of commercial pellets. A calcium supplement and a powdered multivitamin should also be used. You can review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My RES is not taking food for last 3 days. Becomes very lethargic. No activity.....there is no external sign of illness. As there is no reptiles specialist veterinary doctors, please help me.
Often when reptiles stop eating, it is due to suboptimal husbandry and diet. This may be what is occurring in Pilu. The reason that I say this is that from the picture that you have included, Pilu is actually not a red-eared slider, and actually looks to be a species of map turtle. Also, from the picture, it looks like Pilu has a very short tail, and may actually be a female turtle. This can drastically change how you will be housing Pilu, and may explain why she is not eating. I am not sure where you acquired Pilu, but it may be beneficial to first find out what species of map turtle she is (there are numerous types, and I am not sure what is most commonly available in your area), and then I would recommend adjusting her husbandry based on a care sheet (typically straightforward to find online once you know the species) that is specific for her species. Otherwise, the parameters for temperature, basking spot, type of haul out, amount of water in the environment, diet, etc. can be very
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Actually my red ear slider turtle is not well. His both the eyes are closed from last 1month because of that he does not eat anything. I consulted 2 doctors but as such no improvement. They give multi vitamins enjection and feeds him but no improveme
Most eye issues in red eared sliders is related to a vitamin A deficiency. This deficiency is caused by improper diet. You must correct his diet in order for him to get well. You also need to make sure everything else is correct - water temperature, basking temperature, cage size, etc. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/vitamin-a-deficiency-signs-diagnosis-treatment-and-preventi/ ) Please realize that reptiles have a very slow metabolism. It takes a long time for them to show illness and subsequently, a long time to get well. So, this is not a quick fix. It may take months before he is back to normal. Be careful over-supplementing with Vitamin A, more is not better. You can cause an overdose if you give too much. That is why it is best to work with your vet. It sounds like they are on the right track with treatment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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