Why are my African side neck turtle's legs swollen and eyes puffy?

Thanks for reaching out about Swimmly and including a photo. A veterinary visit is recommended ASAP. This could be an indication of sepsis, liver/kidney disease, heart problems, calcium and other nutritional deficiencies, just to list a few. Check water quality and replaced to clean water. Removing from the water and placing in a warm dry environment might help over the short term. Returning to water to feed is allowed. Blood work and other diagnostics will probably be necessary, but at the minimum systemic antibiotics started. Good luck.

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.

Kidney disease is one possibility. Bacterial infection or nutritional deficiencies are other possibilities. Without a physical exam and diagnostics, it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine the exact cause. Sisi should be seen by a veterinarian, any veterinarian, for an exam. It is possible a specialist can be reached by phone or online to assist your veterinarian. In the meantime, provide clean water at the proper temperature, a heat source and UVB light source for basking and an appropriate diet. Commercial turtle sticks or pellets can be fed. Supplement with fresh greens and vegetables. A calcium and multivitamin supplement should be sprinkled on food several times weekly as well. It appears that you have a Yellow-Headed Sideneck turtle. You can find a care sheet here: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-yellowheadedamazon.htm

This can be due to poor water quality. Dirty water increases the risk of infection. Maintain water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Turtles need powerful filtration, so confirm your filter is rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. Infection should be confirmed by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. This will require a physical exam. Prescription antibiotics can be administered or dispensed afterwards.

Thanks for reaching out about Sheel and including photos. A veterinary visit is recommended, probably with radiographs, to rule-in/out a fracture or dislocation. Even if fractured, some animals will walk on it. Pain medications will probably be recommended at the minimum. Soft tissue swelling might improve better with anti-inflammatory medications. Good luck.

Keeping things easy for Jazzy to get to, removing him to a hospital tank if there are other turtles present, and monitoring the leg is best until you can get to the vet. This will help keep him eating and drinking as needed and can prevent further injury or being picked on by tank mates. Hope Jazzy gets to feeling better soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Tuffy. Swelling on the side of the head are likely inner ear infections. Vitamin A deficiencies are common causes. Antibiotics in the water will do little as turtles do not drink much, systemic antibiotics are required to treat. These can be given orally (difficult to do without being bitten) or through injections. But the diet needs to be corrected to include vitamin A rich foods. Since turtles create very thick pus, minor surgical procedures need to be performed to remove the pus. You might need to see another veterinarian with more reptile experience. Good luck.