My turtle has swollen eyes and won't eat. Is it an infection?

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

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).

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!

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Buddy. Chewing and spitting out food is suggestive of an obstruction. Could there be a possible substrate ingestion (rocks, etc)? Vitamin A deficiencies can cause epithelial (skin, throat linings) to swell. Calcium deficiencies can affect muscle and skeletal structure. Brightly colored foods (red/yellow/orange vegetables) and movement (live fish, worms) can stimulate appetite. Check and correct water husbandry. Otherwise a veterinary visit is needed. Good luck.

Thank you for using PetCoach. Your turtle needs to see a reptile veterinarian ASAP. It may be suffering from malnutrition or have a respiratory infection or combination of both. It could be critically ill and likely needs injectable medications. Here is some more info on care. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

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.