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I have three baby RES turtles and noticed an eye problem with one of them two nights ago. My turtle's eye is swollen and the swollen portion is sometimes a yellow, brown, transparent color, and sometimes it is pink/red. It is only affecting one eye on only one of the turtles. I've only had them about a week and a half, but I have (and plan to) thoroughly clean the tank once a week, use a filter, and feed them in a separate tank. He's been eating well and acting fairly normal with the swollen eye, but now he's starting to rub it a little. I have been giving him turtle eye drops from zoomed for two days, following the package directions. Does it look like something that will clear up with clean water and eye drops, or should I take him to a vet now? I'm still looking for a vet in my area (Augusta, GA) who will treat a small RES. Thanks!


How big is your turtle? 1-1 1/2 inches
How long have you had it? week and a half, was told it was a month old when I got it

What is the water temperature? 80 degrees
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? No
How much water is in there? 5 gallon tank about 2/3 full
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? Yes

What is the basking temperature? Not sure
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? zoomed floating turtle dock
Is there a UVB light? Not yet - preparing a bigger and better tank, trying to take turtles outside a bit in the mean time

What have you been trying to feed it? Pellets, carrots, romaine lettece
When was the last time your turtle ate? Today - no appetite problems

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 5 gallons
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Moderate

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes, but I know this is not due to a UVB light

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Today began rubbing eye a little

swollen eye

swollen eye

good eye

I know you said that this is not happening for the absence of a UVB light, but what makes you so sure?
The UVB is needed for the turtle to develop vitamin D,and many times a vitamin deficiency can cause swollen eyes.So in my experience, i would say that it could be very possible.
Take a ride to your favorite petstore and purchase a vitamin supplement for turtles (or birds) and see if he gets better.Also get some "cod liver oil" and apply it to his eyes with a q-tip.If he gets better, problem solved and get a UVB light till you bring him outside, if not then a trip to the vet would be appropriate.

Thanks for your help. I will try those suggestions. I didn't mean that this isn't happening because of a lack of uvb light, I meant that the other similar situations were because uvb light was too strong, and I know that is not the case here. I will be sure to get their lighting taken care of right away though!

I just want to add that from what I know vitamin A deficiency is usually the cause of swollen eyes. So cod liver oil, which has a ton of vitamin A, is very good to treat this.

I'm not a specialist, but that looks like an infection of some sort. I've seen swollen eyes before but they were never like that.

I really think that's an infection, and I think the eye needs more than just cod liver oil on it. If you moisten a q-tip with water and touch it to the area, does any of that white, pus-like stuff come off?

When one of my painteds had trouble with an eye, the vet prescribed an ointment to be applied right on the lid. I can't remember the name, but I think it started with a "g". Have the eye seen by a herp vet.

I tried touching it with a wet q-tip, nothing came off and my turtle didn't seem very happy. The closest herp vet i've found is 2 1/2 hours away, but I found a local vet that is willing to take a look at him tomorrow. Thanks for all of your help!

I just wanted to thank every one for their responses, I took my turtle to the vet and he gave me an antibiotic ointment to put on it. In only two days the swelling has gone down and he can see out of a lot more of his eye

I'm very glad to hear that newturtlefamily. Good luck with your new turtles.

Good job! So it's actually an infection. What ointment was it?

I'm glad you took him to the vet! I've seen eyes swollen from vitamin deficiencies before, but never one that looked as irritated and infected as that.

Good news! You did the right thing by taking him in.

The vet said that a vitamin deficiency would usually cause problems with both eyes, not just one. The ointment is called Vetropolycin, it says ints an antibacterial ophthalmic ointment. It definately did the trick!

i"m glad he/she is doing great!