My turtle won't eat his pellets and has an eye problem. What's wrong?

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.

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

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!

Nemo likely has an ocular infection and so is painful and uncomfortable and not wanting to eat. He most likely needs some antibiotic ointment for his eyes and possible an injectable antibiotic as well. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Squirtle. What are feeding them? Could this be a calcium deficiency? Try offering something that moves, that might stimulate appetite, such as a small mealworm in the water. Parasitic or bacterial intestinal problems are common and can lead to weakness. A veterinary visit is recommended to help assess and diagnose the problem. Good luck.

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Patrisha and including a photo. The dark spot on the plastron is probably due to the thin shell and internal organs underneath. Hemorrhage under the shell can also appear like this. Check and correct husbandry especially water and environmental temperature. A veterinary visit could help assist with diagnosis and treatment. Offer a baby food via a syringe might give calories. Good luck.