Urgent Care :: Red Ear Slider isn't eating.

[Fingerling]

Hey guys,

I've recently acquired a sick RES from someone. It's suffering from swollen eyes, and no details is known to what it's last fed on or when. I recently brought it to the vet ( 2 days ago ), where we can only deduce from the limited information that it's suffering from a vit A deficiency. ( its got a multivit jab and some vitamin liquid to go with it )

Right now the problem is getting it to feed. I've tried Reptomin pellets and canned meat for dogs as recommended by the vet but it's not really responding to the food.
Any suggestions to how i can make it start eating again. It's eyes are still closed though.

[Love of Animals]

How long hasn't it been eating? He may not want to eat with closed eyes. Did the vet give you eye drops?

[steve]

A RES won't usually eat when it can't see. What kind of UVB lighting are you using (or not)? Were the eyes swollen when you first got him? Could this be an injury?

[Fingerling]

How long hasn't it been eating? He may not want to eat with closed eyes. Did the vet give you eye drops?

I've no clue, but the vet mentioned he's really skinny. I can't seem to get him to feed on anything either. Nope the vet gave me some vitamins to soak him in when he sun basks.

[Fingerling]

Yes they were swollen when i got him, though he can open them up once in awhile now, he's still not eating anything which is getting him worried. I've fear he's suffering from septicemia.

[steve]

I'd try some cod liver oil or zoo med turtle eye drops for the swollen eyes.

[Love of Animals]

Try the zoo med turtle drops as Steve said. Do not use the cod liver oil if the turtle is still receiving supplemental vitamin A. Too much vitamin A is not good either.

[Fingerling]

My RES just pooped today, is that a sign of recovery?

[steve]

The eye drops also contain Vit A, but I'd think an application externally should be OK - though I would have avoided the vitamin injections. Pooping is a good sign, did it look normal? How are the eyes now?

[Fingerling]

Yeah, the poop looked a little discoloured green, not the usual dark green colour, i'm guessing the previous owner must have fed it shrimp.
The eyes are still a little swollen though, but it seems to move around abit more now. I actually requested an antibiotic jab, but the vet advised against it.






Here's some pictures of the RES i managed to snap up, any advice to whether it should be adminstered to an antibiotic jab? In the second picture near the neck area on the right, there's this red circle looking thing, and in the first picture near the eye, there's some sort of yellow growth/debri i'm not too sure either. Please advise.

[Love of Animals]

If he was my turtle I would have him on antibiotic injections. His water temp should be around 82 since he's sick. I'd have his basking area at about 95. I'd soak him daily alternating days with 50% pedialyte and 50% water mixture. On alternate days 50% low sodium V8 juice and 50% water. To keep him hydrated. What antibiotic does the vet have him on? I'm not sure how high his regular water should be. I would think up to the middle of his shell to prevent drowning. Is he swimming at all or just sleeping? Does he stay in the basking area or water most of the time?

[Fingerling]

Thanks LOA, will request for an antibiotic injection today. He's just sleeping most of the time, doesn't really go into the water at all or he'd usually just floats on the water surface if he does go into the water to soak then quickly climb to the basking area.