My red-eared turtle won't open eyes, eat, or move. What should I do?

Thanks for reaching out about your baby turtle and including photos. This turtle appears to be very ill and is need of seeing a veterinarian, as soon as possible. Check and correct water quality for temperature and water quality. Heat support should be warm. Good luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is not possible to know what is exactly going on without a proper evaluation though it does sound like Cutty is quite sick. I would highly recommend that you have Cutty evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They could check on what may be going on which could be a gastrointestinal condition so that it can be treated accordingly. Best of luck!

Check the water temperature and ambient temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Keep the water between 24 C and 30 C. A basking spot out of the water should be 29 C to 31 C. UVB lighting should also be provided. Maintain water quality to prevent infections and feed an appropriate diet with vitamin and mineral supplementation. A vitamin A deficiency can cause swelling of the eyes. Repti-Turtle Eye Drops (by Zoo Med) can be used to help the eyes. Find it online or in the local pet store. Soak the little guy in a 50/50 mix of warm water and an electrolyte replacement beverage to maintain hydration. You can read more about care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

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).

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

This can be due to vitamin A deficiency, infection, poor water quality or lighting that is too intense/direct. You can address environmental concerns but you may need a vet to diagnose and treat infection or deficiency. Feeding a commercial turtle food along with fresh veggies and greens (or prey) will help balance the diet. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is also recommended. Click on the link below for more information. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Most eye issues in red eared sliders is related to a vitamin A deficiency. This deficiency is caused by improper diet. You must correct his diet in order for him to get well. You also need to make sure everything else is correct - water temperature, basking temperature, cage size, etc. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/vitamin-a-deficiency-signs-diagnosis-treatment-and-preventi/ ) Please realize that reptiles have a very slow metabolism. It takes a long time for them to show illness and subsequently, a long time to get well. So, this is not a quick fix. It may take months before he is back to normal. Be careful over-supplementing with Vitamin A, more is not better. You can cause an overdose if you give too much. That is why it is best to work with your vet. It sounds like they are on the right track with treatment.