Urgent Care :: helppppp

[antonia]

help! my red eared slider has both eyes infected and they are yellow and puffy and have been for months.

[SpotsMama]

Have you seen a vet? Things like this only get worse if they aren't treated in time. Also, the turtle is probably in pain and at best can't see very well. You really should seek help and do something about it right away if you notice anything going wrong with your turtle.

Swollen eyes are a symptom of many different things. It is a symptom of a serious respiratory infection (RI). Other symptoms of RI are lethargy (tired or basking all the time), loss of appetite, breathing with the mouth open or yawning a lot, difficulty submerging or swimming lopsided, mucus around the nose or mouth. Does your turtle exhibit any of these symptoms?

Another thing that can cause swollen eyes is poor water quality. How often do you change the water in his tank? Does the water look cloudy? What sort of filter do you have?

Another thing that can cause swollen eyes is a vitamin A deficiency. What do you feed your turtle? Do you ever give him yellow vegetables like carrots?

Another thing that can cause swollen eyes is certain types of UVB light that's too strong or in the wrong range. What sort of UVB light bulb does your turtle bask under? Does he bask a lot?

Something that will sooth irritated turtle eyes is Turtle Eye Drops by zoo med. You can get them at a pet store. You should get some tomorrow and start using them according to directions. They will help some but are no remedy for a serious problem. Try to answer the questions above so we'll know better what's going on and can help determine what to do about it.

[antonia]

forst: no but i really need to. im hoping to tomorrow. the thing is im not old enough to go myself (13) and its not even my turtle. my friends parents will not under any curcumstances bring it to the vet.
second: no
third: the water looks okay but i dont know if they are washing it correctly.
fourth: that might be it, but i dont know if it will help now anyways, because i think the turtles already blind.
fifth: i dont know

[SpotsMama]

Do you have custody of the turtle, or is he at your friend's house? If he's at your friend's house, why don't you get your friend to register on Turtle Talk so we can work with him directly. Sounds like the poor little turtle needs a lot of help.

If you have custody of the turtle, then you really need to read up on here about how to take care of one. Everything you need to know is on this site. Turtles are wonderful, entertaining creatures that can live a long time (40 years) if they are cared for properly, but if not they will get sick and die.

I'm wondering if the turtle has been with your friend in the past and you just got him? Is that what's going on?

[antonia]

ok so the story is :
i just went to my friends house yesterday and we dont see each other very often, and i just noticed the turtle. i just freaked out when i saw it and went directly to the computer. to be honest, i dont think hes very responsible, so i used my email for the acount. i also wasnt really thinking, and i thought it would be easier to just say it was mine, and hope for some magical cure. i dont really think hes taking good care of it, though. theres nothing i can do about that, except keep asking him to. they wont give him rocks or plants, and the water is only about two inches deep. i cant stand watching it, but i know they do not know anything about caring for it.

[antonia]

oh yeah and they dont have filter either. i probably know moore aout these turtles than they do, and i really dont think they should have one.

[SpotsMama]

Oh my. I agree with you. They shouldn't have a turtle if they aren't going to take care of him. A turtle is a living creature and deserves better.

Would you be willing to take the turtle if they were willing to give him up? Sounds like they don't care about him - maybe they'd be willing to let you have him.

At this point, the poor turtle needs massive changes. Here's a list for starters:

1. Clean water and a lot of it. Needs to be around 10 gallons of tank for every inch of shell. Until there is a filter, the water needs to be changed a couple of times a week. The water needs to be as deep as it can be in the tank but not so deep that the turtle can escape. If a glass aquarium costs too much, then a rubbermaid container makes a good substitute. Since the turtle isn't used to deep water, the level will have to be raised gradually. If he can't see, it's possible he won't be able to adjust to deep water until he gets his vision back.

2. Water temperature at 82 degrees. For this there will have to be a water heater.

3. Feed the turtle some good quality turtle pellets from the pet store. If the turtle won't eat them, we have pointers on how to stimulate a turtle's appetite.

4. Get some cod liver oil. Soak a few of the pellets in the oil and feed them to the turtle every day. In addition, put some cod liver oil on a q tip and dab it on the turtle's eyes twice a day.

Then, take the turtle to see a herp vet (a herp vet is one that knows about reptiles - sometimes they say they treat "exotics"). The turtle's eyes are probably infected and need antibiotics. He should also be checked out for other problems.

Why don't you pass these things along to your friend. I wish you and the little turtle all the luck in the world.

[mikee]

It is his turtle and he can do as he pleases with it. However, I hope King Turtle is having a turn at the pearly gates when he shows up. I am a firm believer that if you have a pet take care of it or get rid of it. Give it to someone who will take care of it.