My turtle won't eat, can't use legs, is floating. Is he dying?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My small turtle won't eat anything. What should I do? He also has injured hind legs , thus they are not working . He only use front legs and he is floating. Is he dying ?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 28th, 2018
Hi and thank you for your question, The bottom line is that he needs to be checked by a vet. The hind legs may be paralyzed due to a spinal injury. You need a vet to perform a neurological assessment. Not eating is a problem in itself, but in this case there are other issues that need to be looked at first. Regards
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 21st, 2019
Thanks for reaching out about Quicky and including photos. Assuming the injections were antibiotics and no improvement, some diagnostic testing is recommended. Radiograph and blood work are good placed to start, even a fecal examination for parasites. You can try syringe feeding pellets soaked in water. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Food & Nutrition
I have a Malaysian turtle. From Last 2 3 weeks she is not not eating anything not even turtle food. We consulted to vet he gave injection 3 4 times gap of two days and gave vitamin tablet. But still she is not eating. And she is not moving her back l
Thanks for reaching out about Quicky and including photos. Assuming the injections were antibiotics and no improvement, some diagnostic testing is recommended. Radiograph and blood work are good placed to start, even a fecal examination for parasites. You can try syringe feeding pellets soaked in water. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle is floating I don't know he is dead aur not... Please help??
Take him out of the water. If he responds or retreats into his shell he is, obviously, alive. Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If he is floating and lethargic, he may be sick. This could be infection, malnutrition or parasites. Confirm proper environmental parameters for the species of turtle you have. Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. Feed an appropriate diet, commercial pellets supplemented with greens and some protein (crickets, feeder fish, earthworms). Dust food with a calcium/D3 powder and a multivitamin. Provide a UVB lightsource to promote shell health. If you post a new question with the species, I can provide more specific care information and a care sheet for future reference. You can also request a consultation to discuss the case in greater detail.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle does not eat anything. He or she just sleeps. When I put it in the water it flotes and runs towards the dry surface. I have also noticed some very small worms around it when I put it in the water. Please help me.
Thanks for reaching out about Snappy and including photos. By the pictures, the shell appears slightly curled and deformed. Husbandry and diet needs to be reviewed. A veterinary visit is recommended for antibiotics. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle Myleene has a pocket on her left back leg and I just want to know what it is she has also stopped eating anything and doesn’t crawl and play around anymore
Given the other symptoms (lethargy, decreased appetite), she may have an infection or abscess. Ideally, she should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If it is infection, she will need antibiotics which are by prescription only. Review her diet with your veterinarian to confirm proper nutrition. She should also have a heat source, UVB light source, access to fresh water and an adequately sized enclosure.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my pet tortoise is notvfeeding for last one month, not opening the eyes n just floating without any control of body. It's alive n I get a sense when I pick it up. Pls advise
You really need to take this turtle to the vet asap as it sound like it is incredibly sick. There will be nothing you can do at home to help it at this point. It would also be a good idea to isolate the other turtle. I'm not sure if you are taking a picture of them in a different tank, but the tank in the photo is not appropriate to keep turtles in, it is too small. If you would like some advice on turtle husbandry please ask and I will try and help you.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pet red eared slider Snappy is always sleeping and doesn't eat it's food pellets that I gave him. He runs towards the dry area when I put him in the water and he floats. I have seen some very small worms when I put him in the water.
Thanks for reaching out about Snappy. Sleeping is a sign of lethargy and illness, and a veterinary visit should be scheduled as soon as possible. Floating all the time is an indication of hyper-inflated lungs and possible respiratory infection. Systemic disease require systemic antibiotics, which a veterinarian can prescribe. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my turtle is opening his mouth and making sounds . it has also stopped eating from last 2-3 days Nd keeps sleeping for long .
Thanks for reaching out about Flippy and including a photo. The eyes and neck are swollen, and by your description, it appears he has a respiratory infection. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan that should include a vitamin A and calcium injections and systemic antibiotics. The diet and husbandry practices need to be reviewed and corrected. Good luck.
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
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. My turtle's, red ear slider, eyes have closed up and are swollen. He hasn't eaten anything in weeks. His shell is almost pale white. He is 12 years and I've had him since day 1. The water temp had always been room temp. I have recently placed
Hi, and thank you for this question. Smudgy's condition sounds serious, and cannot be treated at home. He will have to be examined by a vet ASAP and will likely need some medication as well as supportive care. The vet would also have several options of getting food into him (e.g. by inserting a feeding tube).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle is having swelling in his foot finger.he is gaping his mouth when kept in water.he also floats sideways in water.please help me to cure him.
Thanks for reaching out about Tuktuk and including a photo. The foot appears to be infected. Is he housed with another turtle that could have bitten him? Or another type of wound. Water quality needs to be pristine to prevent further infection. Floating with one side dependent is often a sign of a congested lung, i.e. pneumonia. A veterinary visit is highly recommended as soon as possible, as systemic antibiotics are probably needed. Check and correct all husbandry parameters including water and basking temperatures, nutrition, and UVB exposure. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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