My red eared slider is sleeping, not eating, and floating. Is he sick?

Thanks for reaching out about Snappy and including photos. By the pictures, the shell appears slightly curled and deformed. Husbandry and diet needs to be reviewed. A veterinary visit is recommended for antibiotics. Good luck.

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

Thanks for reaching out about Flippy and including a photo. The eyes and neck are swollen, and by your description, it appears he has a respiratory infection. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan that should include a vitamin A and calcium injections and systemic antibiotics. The diet and husbandry practices need to be reviewed and corrected. Good luck.

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hi, and thank you for this question. Smudgy's condition sounds serious, and cannot be treated at home. He will have to be examined by a vet ASAP and will likely need some medication as well as supportive care. The vet would also have several options of getting food into him (e.g. by inserting a feeding tube).

This could be very normal for him as long as he is still eating normally! If he isn’t eating then I would have your vet look at him. You may consider making his basking platform a little bigger if you’re concerned he is having trouble staying on it. I hope this helps! Red eared slider have great little personalities!

Without an exam, it can be difficult to determine what may be wrong. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. You can offer bits of raw beef heart to stimulate the appetite. Be sure to offer a balanced diet including protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc.) fresh greens and vegetables and a small amount of commercial pellets. A calcium supplement and a powdered multivitamin should also be used. You can review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html