My red-eared turtle won't open eyes, eat, or move. What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My redeared turtel hasn't opned his eyes for about 3 weaks nor is he eating anything He don't like it i water now Stay in in warm bed all the time Dosen't move What can i do I have given him eye drops and the sweeling on his eyes is gone but still he isn't able to open eyes I expose him to sunlight ocassionally and keep him in his warm bed throughout... Is it something serious???
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 15th, 2019
Thank you for using PetCoach. Your turtle needs to see a reptile veterinarian ASAP. It may be suffering from malnutrition or have a respiratory infection or combination of both. It could be critically ill and likely needs injectable medications. Here is some more info on care. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 19th, 2020
It may be bright lights or it could be something in the water. Infection or injury cannot be ruled out without a physical exam. Check water quality and chemistry. Perform a partial water change if necessary. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Monitor for redness or swelling and see your vet if necessary/.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My pet baby turtle haven’t opened it’s eye for a few days and have been rubbing it and unable to open . It has some infection on its feet and a lump on the neck . It has not eaten for 10 days . I’m not sure if it also have a rotten shell .
Thanks for reaching out about your baby turtle and including photos. This turtle appears to be very ill and is need of seeing a veterinarian, as soon as possible. Check and correct water quality for temperature and water quality. Heat support should be warm. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My turtle is suffering from puffed eyes and hasn't eaten anything from a long time and also he is less active in water as he keeps floating on top but on land he is active but his shell has become very very soft what to do is it serious
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is not possible to know what is exactly going on without a proper evaluation though it does sound like Cutty is quite sick. I would highly recommend that you have Cutty evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They could check on what may be going on which could be a gastrointestinal condition so that it can be treated accordingly. Best of luck!
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
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 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 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
Have a painted turtle who we think has a respiratory infection. His eyes are puffy and he makes a noise and has his mouth open but won’t eat. What can we do for him. No vet in our area treat turtles
The swollen eyes may be due to a vitamin A deficiency. You can pick up Repti Turtle Eye Drops by Zoo Med ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops ) at the local Petco. Follow label directions. Next, maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. The symptoms described could be a respiratory infection. Unfortunately, you will need to see a veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. You can take Jeffrey to the local clinic. The veterinarian may be able to consult with a specialist to devise a treatment plan. The antibiotics used are the same that are used in dogs and cats. Review slider care at the links below. I have also included a link to find the nearest veterinarian with experience treating reptiles. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.or
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
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
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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hello I have a red ear slider turtle . his eyes are swollen its been 3 days already he hasn't ate any thing he doesn't move around. he only comes up for air. I have bought the turtle fix solution for his water but not sure is working. what shouls I d
Check the water temperature and quality. Perform a partial water change and rinse filter media if necessary to maintain or improve water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Use tank water to rinse filter media to preserve beneficial bacterial populations. The swollen eyes may be caused by bacterial infection or by vitamin deficiency. Infection will need to be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian after a physical exam. You can purchase ZooMed Turtle Eye Drops online or in the local Petco. This product may resolve the swelling if it is due to vitamin deficiency. You can review slider care at the link below. www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
I Have A Flapshell Turtle,Ent Bite In Her Eye he can't open full His Eye What Should I Do and He doesn't Eat last 3-4 days ?
Thanks for reaching out about your turtle. A wound to the eye and anorexia for several days is worrisome. A veterinary visit is needed to prescribe systemic and ophthalmic antibiotics, at the minimum. Keeping water quality good is very important also, to prevent infection through the damaged eye. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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