Urgent Care :: Turtle won't open eyes :(

[ArmyGirl]

Hi there everyone.

I bought a young red eared slider about two months ago and put it in pond with a low fence around it. It managed to escape only after 15 hours of purchasing it while I was at work. I never knew they were such great climbers so I was shocked when I got home and he was gone. Today (basically two months later) I found him wandering around in my yard. I honestly thought he was dead because the weather has been so dry and hot and there is no real water source around for miles. He is in bad shape. He doesn't have as much color now and he won't open his eyes. I was wondering could his eyes have completely dried out? His eyelids are swollen and pale and seem sealed shut. He is my first turtle so I'm no expert on caring for this. He won't eat and barely swims around, he mainly hides in his shell. Any advice would be greatly apprieciated!!

[steve]

He won't eat if he can't see. Keep him in shallow water, add some unflavored Pedialyte (1:1 with water). Apply some cod liver oil to his eyelids too. Keep looking for a vet in case he shows no signs of immediate improvement.

[ArmyGirl]

Thanks, would it help if I posted a few pictures of him? I was told to take a q-tip and gently clean his eyelids with warm water. I'll take your advice and do what you said too.

[steve]

I would check out some Zoo Med Repti Turtle Eye Drops. I'm not sure using a q-tip without knowing more about the situation.

[ArmyGirl]

He finally opened his eyes today, They are red and glazed over with a white film, you can hardly tell his pupil from the rest of his eye, all it is is a greenish hazy spot in the center of his eye. I'm starting to think his eyes are too damaged to repair. I will go buy eye drops tomorrow. poor thing.

[steve]

How's he doing? Please take him to a vet or rehabber if you need assistance.