Urgent Care :: EYES CLOSED!

[cari987]

How big is your turtle? 2 in
How long have you had it? 1 month

What is the water temperature? room temperature (house thermostat set at 78F)
Did you use a thermometer? No
Are you using a water heater? Not yet. I have one but don't know if I should put it in.
How much water is in there? a 5 gallon tank filled halfway
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? Yes

What is the basking temperature? Don't know. I have a plant light 60 W about 7 or 8 inches away from the basking rock.
Is there a basking light? Yes.
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes.
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Plastic?
Is there a UVB light? No.

What have you been trying to feed it? Pellets and dried brine shrimp.
When was the last time your turtle ate? Days ago

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 5 gallon
Is the tank near a window? About 2.5 ft away.
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No.

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes.
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes.

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? The turtle was very happy and active. I rescued it from being a class pet. She was in a sandwich size tupperware and all I could upgrade her to was the 5 gallon tank. There is also a RES in there with her. they were both very active, but for the past 4 days, the map turtle has been extremely lethargic with its eyes closed all the time. She either stays on the rock or hangs off it with half her body in the water, even when the lamp is off. I have not put the under gravel heater in yet because I don't know if it is wise right now or not. Also, she won't eat! I have tried to hand feed her pellets and dried shrimp and she just moves away and scratches her face to make me move. I took her in the sun today and she livened up for about 15 minutes, but then she closed here eyes again and has been "asleep" the entire evening again. Please help! I can barely get her to move! She used to be such a joyful turtle and I love her! I don't want her to die please! I included a picture of her in her usual sleeping pose.

[austinl01]

Take it to the vet immediately!!!

[cari987]

I don't have access to any nearby! I bought vitamin A capsules and put some of it on here eyes and tried to put it in her mouth with a dropper. She actually opened her eyes and moved around, but then she fell asleep again! Is this good? What else can I do?

[Love of Animals]

She is probably sick due to improper husbandry. There probably is no way to help this turtle without a total upgrade to his habitat and a vet visit for antibiotics. If the turtle does have RI the other turtle may get it too. It's very contagious. If you are going to use vitamin A capsules only one drop on each eye once a day for three days. Too much vitamin A can make them sick as well. Here is the basic care sheet http://www.redearslider.com/index_basic_care.html Good Luck!

[cari987]

Well, today is day 2. I put the vitamin A in both their eyes and squeezed in a drop or two when she opened her mouth. Right after the drops she rubbed her eyes, but she actually opened them for a long time and moved around! This is improvement, right?

[steve]

What's this plant light you're using? Opening eyes is a good sign, can you see if your local pet store carries Zoo Med Turtle Eye Drops?

[cari987]

I got it at the local walmart, they told me it was used for growing plants indoors, so it might be better than a regular soft white bulb. I checked, they don't carry any drops at the LPS. However, I am happy to say that with sunlight, Vitamin A drops in her eyes and occasionally in her mouth when she lets me, she is making amazing progress! She isn't eating yet, but she is moving around and opening her eyes A LOT more than before. I am going to keep her dry for two more days, or should she go back in the tank with the yellow bellied already?

[steve]

Did you change out the plant light for a normal basking and UVB light? The RES has been kept out during this time?