Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my Indian roofed turtle suddenly lethargic and not eating?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pilu she is an Indian roofed turtle. Not taking food for last 3 days & there is no activity. She is sitting in a same position for day long. If I am keeping her in water then she will be there for the whole day and same thing will happen if I shall keep her on basking area. For last two months she is with me and was very active & curious. But now she is totally lethargic for a small movement too. There is no sign of any external diseases. Nose/eyes are ok. Here is no reptiles specialist.Plz help

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 2nd, 2018

Thank you for using PetCoach. From your pictures, it looks like Pilu could benefit from some upgrades to get living area. Water turtles do you need water, as well as a basking area, but he may need a dirt area to dig in. Be sure that her water is clean and may need partial changes daily but not complete water change. She needs full spectrum lighting 8 hours daily. If bulbs are not possible then she need a safe outdoor enclosure. Calcium and vitamin supplements with her food are necessary. Make sure there is a warmer basking area in her enclosure. Here is a good resource for turtle care and set up. http://www.anapsid.org/mainchelonians.html

5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM
Veterinarian
Published on July 1st, 2018
Often when reptiles stop eating, it is due to suboptimal husbandry and diet. This may be what is occurring in Pilu. The reason that I say this is that from the picture that you have included, Pilu is actually not a red-eared slider, and actually looks to be a species of map turtle. Also, from the picture, it looks like Pilu has a very short tail, and may actually be a female turtle. This can drastically change how you will be housing Pilu, and may explain why she is not eating. I am not sure where you acquired Pilu, but it may be beneficial to first find out what species of map turtle she is (there are numerous types, and I am not sure what is most commonly available in your area), and then I would recommend adjusting her husbandry based on a care sheet (typically straightforward to find online once you know the species) that is specific for her species. Otherwise, the parameters for temperature, basking spot, type of haul out, amount of water in the environment, diet, etc. can be very different between species, and over time, Pilu may not be able to perform her normal body functions while being housed like a red-eared slider. Unfortunately, even if you have had Pilu for a long time, she may not have shown you that she was not thriving in her environment until recently as reptiles can compensate with suboptimal husbandry for a long time. Along these same lines, it can take them a long time to get better when their environment does improve, so do not become discouraged once you have made the changes.
I hope that gives you a place to start, and good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

Why is my red-eared slider lethargic, not eating, and has sunken eyes?

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 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my turtle lethargic, not eating, and has strange eye color?

Thanks for reaching out about Semsem. Another veterinarian to visit is recommended or maybe your present veterinarian can consult with a reptile veterinarian. Vitamin A deficiencies can often lead to ocular changes and inappetence. Check and correct water quality, water and basking site temperatures and UVB exposure. Review diet and improve if deficient. Systemic antibiotics, a vitamin A injection and eye ointments might be needed. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My turtle has puffy eyes, won't eat, and shell rot. What should I do?

Sounds like he may have hypovitaminosis A. I suggest you read this article for suggestions on care and treatment. This is a diet and housing/lighting/temperature issue so be sure you are caring for him correctly. ( https://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/vitamin-a-deficiency-hypovitaminosis-a-in-turtles/ ) ( http://www.avianandexotic.com/care-sheets/reptiles/aquatic-turtle/ ) As for the shell rot, you cannot keep an aquatic turtle on dry land 24/7. You should put him in water four one hour a day to eat and toilet then dry dock him again on land in a soft towel with a small, shallow water bowl for the remainder of the day. It is also important to get these turtles some UV light. At least twenty minutes a day in the sunshine or a set up with a UV lamp works well. It is also important the species are kept at their preferred body temperature to encourage the body to heal, a cold turtle can not mount an immune response. As a general rule around 25C suits most turtles.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my red-eared slider turtle hiding and not growing or eating?

Thanks for reaching out about Sebastian and including pictures. Points of interest to investigate would be: (1) heat support in the water, (2) nutrition, and (3) water quality. If the water temperature gets too low, turtles will slow and stop eating (acting as if hibernating). The water quality needs to be kept clean to decrease bacterial and algal overgrowth. Regarding nutrition, the package of pellets needs to be changed every 3-4 months as vitamins degrade quickly. Offering diced vegetables and whole fish (goldfish, tetras) can provide exercise and nutrition. If Sebastian remains quiet and lethargic, a visit to a reptilian veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My turtle is suddenly scared, hiding, and won't eat. What should I do?

Clean the tank and perform a partial water change. Rinse the filter media in some tank water, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacteria. Make sure the water is warm, between 75F and 86 F, and the basking area is at proper temp ( 85 F to 90 F). Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. She may need a few days to reacclimate to you, even though you weren't gone long. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, swimming crooked, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes or nose. If necessary, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat injury or infection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my turtle not moving and its shell is soft around the edges?

Check the water, ambient and basking spot temperatures. Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. Ideally, the turtle should be in a 10 gallon tank. Water depth should be no more than twice the shell length. Use a filter to maintain water quality and a small heater to keep it between 82F and 85F. There should also be a basking area easily reached out of the water that should range between 85F and 88F. A UVB light source, proper diet and calcium and vitamin supplementation will promote shell health. If all this is provided and the turtle is still lethargic, consider a physical exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can find one at the link below. The second link will provide more information regarding the care of sliders. http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My pet turtle won't eat and is lethargic. What should I do to help?

Thanks for reaching out about Loofa. It does appear as if antibiotics would be beneficial, but check environmental temperature and correct any problems. Offer food through a plastic syringe in the form of watered down pellets or vegetable baby food. Maybe you can convince the dog/cat veterinarian to help. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share