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Hi,

I have two new turtles just today. They're very small, much like newborns.

One of them is fine and moving actively.
The other has its eyes closed all the time, though it moves now and then.

Both of them aren't accepting turtle pellets... yet.

Anything possibly wrong? Is it common for newborn turtles not to eat early and is it also common for some new turtles to have their eyes closed all the time until they eventually open?

I have two other elder turtles in another tank; they've been with me for more than 1 and half years - I don't recall them having the same problem when they were brought into the family small, too.

Any insights offered is appreciated.

Edmund Loh

The little ones arnt eating because it takes time for them to adjust to their new tank. as for the one turtle with the eyes shut, does its eye seem swollen? any signs of infection?

closed puffy eyes can be a sign of a vitamin A deficiency (which could be from not eating or other ilness too) you can buy drops at the petstore to help with that or I have seen some posts that say cod liver oil can be put on the eyes too.

What is the set-up like for the turtles? What is the temp of the water and basking area?

Since the new turtles are so much smaller than the ones you already have, it would have been better to keep the new ones separated. I'd give them their own set-up until they're bigger (and just in case they're ill to keep your turtles healthy).

For food, try frozen bloodworms just to get them eating.

What is the set-up like for the turtles? What is the temp of the water and basking area?

They're in a small tank with little pebbles around. Water is the same with room temperature i.e. 27 degree Celcius.

They're separated from the bigger ones, of course. The bigger ones are living in another tank in a similar condition, only bigger tank. The big ones have been growing up in that condition since small, too.

you can buy drops at the petstore to help with that or I have seen some posts that say cod liver oil can be put on the eyes too.

Specifically, what kind of drops? And as for the cod liver oil, I'm thinking of those capsules I used to take as a kid - is that the one?

Edmund Loh

zoo med repti turtle eye drops, worked well for me.
i never used cod liver oil.

i heard that in certain cases, pet owners can "sometimes" use human eye drops..i dont know much about it though, so i dont know.

Vitamin A deficiency is not at all common in newborns, I am not saying impossible but it is generally something that occurs over time. Sounds more like an infection, either of the eye or respiratory system.


I would advise a visit to the vet and get some antibiotic eye drops. Don't let the vet blow you off. I hate to say but I ran into a vet who just wanted me to come back and pay for another office visit in a day or two. Instead I went to another vet and got the drops. Get the antibiotic drops and use them, they won't hurt the turtle either way.

Here is how I would proceed:

- Get the sick turtle into a tank by itself.
- Take him to a vet and get the antibiotic drops.
- Ensure the tank has the proper lights(UVB and Heat) and heating, you want the temp in the tank to be a bit higher than normal...low to mid 80s for a hatchling instead of the normal upper 70s. Basking area should be at least 10 degrees higher than water temperature. This raises their metabolism to fight the infection and get them to eat.
- Twice a day (or however often the drops say), pull the turtle out of the tank and put him in a dry container (I used a disposable plastic square bowl) with a moist wash cloth in the bottom. Once his head is dry, treat him with the drops then let him sit for an hour or so. Then return him to his tank.
- Imperatives are that he has clean water, you treat with antibiotics, keep him warm (warmer than normal) and make sure he eats. You may have to get creative and get him to eat.
- Also remember that turtles are cold-blooded, they will not get well like a mammal. Our systems allow us quick recovery, the turtles don't get well fast.


If you decide against the vet visit, try to use the above treatments with cod liver oil or turtle eyedrops instead of the antibiotic drops.

Luke