What to do if my tortoise is lethargic, not eating, with swollen eyes?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My tortoise ‘Tank’ is being very lethargic and not eating. He usually walks around a lot and eats often. Not the case now. His eyes are swollen and seem to be white around the outide. He has been refusing to eat for the past week. I have and have had many other turtles and reptiles w no issues. I took him to a Specialty vet and was given ophthalmic solution for eye drops and have been giving for past couple days. Would really appreciate any opinions on here before I can get him back in!
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 13th, 2017
Continue to treat as indicated by your veterinarian. Offer a varied diet rich in Vitamin A. Broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, dandelion greens and collard greens are just a few foods rich in this vitamin. Confirm proper temperature. A cold tortoise will not eat. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 30 minutes. This will warm him up and may treat or prevent mild dehydration.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 7th, 2019
This can be due to a Vitamin A deficiency, trauma or infection. If it is just one eye, it is likely one of the last two. You would need to have Soly physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose infection or injury. He may need antibiotics for infection. Make sure he is adequately hydrated and provide vegetables high in vitamin A (carrots, red peppers, etc.). A commercial tortoise diet can also be offered.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
So my tortoise is 2 years old and recently has stopped/refuses to eat, he takes one bite and looks as if he is struggling to swallow it, he then won't eat anything else. I am very worried for his well fair and need some advise ASAP
Check the temperature in his enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. A chilled tort will not eat much, if at all. Look in and around his mouth, safely if he will allow, for signs of injury or infection. This can include redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet if necessary. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage for 20-30 minutes. This will warm him up, provide hydration and may stimulate defecation. Be sure to cut food up small enough for him to eat.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a tortoise (8months) and the last few days he has lost his appetite, become less active, struggles to open his eyes and keeps openning his mouth
First, check the temperatures in his enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. Next check for elevated humidity levels. Too much can predispose him to a respiratory infection. The symptoms reported may indicate an infection or a nutritional deficiency, maybe both. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating tortoises. If he has a respiratory infection he will need prescription antibiotics. In the meantime, increase temps by a few degrees to aid in any recovery.Give him a good long soak (at least 30 minutes) in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte/DioraLyte.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle eyes are swollen for 10 days and it can not open its eyes what to do for it and it can' eat .please help me
This can be due to vitamin A deficiency, infection, poor water quality or lighting that is too intense/direct. You can address environmental concerns but you may need a vet to diagnose and treat infection or deficiency. Feeding a commercial turtle food along with fresh veggies and greens (or prey) will help balance the diet. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is also recommended. Click on the link below for more information. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my hatchling red foot tortoise has a problem with keeping his eyes open for very long, he hasn't been eating as much as usual and when he closes his eyes I have to soak him in water to get him to open them back up. When his eyes close it almost l
Check the lighting in his enclosure. It may be too bright for him which can be irritating. Rinse his eyes with a sterile saline solution in case he has debris from the substrate. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be needed to diagnose eye infection or injury. Another possibility may be a Vitamin A deficiency. Feed a good quality commercial diet as well as dark, leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, dandelion greens, etc), carrots, squash and broccoli. Dust food with a calcium and multivitamin supplement as well.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My baby sulucta tortoise is not very active and not opening his eyes much
Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. You can soak him for 20 minutes in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm Tart up and provide hydration. Offer fresh greens and vegetables as well as a commercial tortoise diet afterwards. If he doesn't eat or remains lethargic, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I got a tortoise 2 weeks ago and she doesn't eat, she's just sleeping and she doesn't like water Is that OK? What am I supposed to do? :(
Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes once orb twice a week. This will provide warmth and hydration. Offer a variety of dark, leafy greens, chopped vegetables and commercial pellets. She will also need UVB lighting, a powdered multivitamin and a powdered calcium supplement. Set up a heat lamp to provide a basking area on one side of the tank. There should be an appropriate temperature gradient across the tank so she can move from warm to cool as she needs. If you can provide the species of tortoise, more specific advice can be provided.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
HI there! I have a Russian tortoise who is less than one year old. She used to eat a variety of lettuces, spinach, cucumber, carrot, tomato, and enjoyed the bits of fresh fruit I treated her to now and then. For a couple months, she hasn't been eatin
Check the enclosure temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. Give her a good long soak, 20-30 minutes, in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm her up and provide hydration. If she defecates during the soak, change the water and resume soaking. If you can do it safely, look in and around her mouth for signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet if necessary. If she doesn't begin eating again, have her examined by your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've had my Russian tortoise for about 3 years. Unfortunately he got hit by a lawn mower about 2 years ago. The vet put a fiberglass she'll on it and he seemed to be fine. Now he does not move his eyes are shut most of the time and he is eating less
Romaine lettuce is not optimal for health or growth. Russians need a high fiber, low protein and calcium rich diet. Variety is key. Dandelion greens, kale, collared greens and turnip greens are recommended over romaine. Fresh, chopped vegetables should be offered and a commercial tortoise pellet can round out a balanced diet. UVB lighting and a heat source, along with calcium and vitamin supplementation, are also required. The shut eyes ma indicate infection or vitamin deficiency, namely vitamin A. Increase enclosure temps by 5-10 F temporarily to aid in recovery. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 30 minutes daily to maintain hydration or to treat or prevent minor dehydration. Have Squirt examined by your vet or an experienced herp vet to diagnose eye infection or injury. You can review additional care information at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Russian-Tortoise/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
For the last 2 months my tortoise has kept himself completely buried in his enclosure and wouldn’t come out unless I made him so he could soak and eat but then he would just bury himself again. He’s indoors and has proper temps and lighting. Yesterda
He may have been hibernating/brumating. Continue with the daily soaks in warm water or a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Get him eating if he isn't already. If the behavior persists, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness.
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
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