Why does my new turtle have a head bump and won't swim or eat?

I am sorry that Snappy isn't feeling well! Reptiles can take a long time to show that they are sick, and often the signs that they are sick can be subtle, such as a decreased (or lack of) appetite. With what you are seeing, it may be that Snappy has been hiding his illness from you for a while. I would recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian. They will likely ask you a great deal about Snappy's husbandry, as this is very important in reptiles. If the husbandry isn't perfect, often they can get very sick. They can perform a thorough examination, and can evaluate the brown spots that you are seeing. They may be able to take a sample of the areas, and evaluate the material under the microscope to see what it is. Also, they may recommend other diagnostic testing, including radiographs (x-rays) and blood work to evaluate systemic health. I hope this gives you a place to start, and I hope that Snappy feels better soon.

This may be localized infection or inflammation. It could also be an old injury. Keep the area clean. You can use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution to gently clean the area daily. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Check temps in the tank as well. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. You can review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Hello! This appears to be something called an "aural abscess" that is common in red eared sliders. It is generally the result of not eating enough Vitamin A in the diet or living in water that is not filtered enough. I would recommend taking Hunny into a vet to have the abscess cleaned out, then working on improving his diet and water quality. I hope this is helpful!

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.

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 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.

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.