redearslider.com

Our turtle has what looks like see through eye lids. They are always closed except when I put him in water then they open and he eats. I put eye drops in his eyes two time a day and they seem to work for the time being but then his eyes just close up again. I believe he has a vitamin A deficiency. And on top of that He opens his mouth but just a tiny bit some time, not like he is coughing or yawning but like he is breathing through his muth a bit. He does not have any mucus or bubbles come from his nose when he is in the water, Is this RI? ANNNND he has this crust like stuff in the corner of his mouth? what is this? He is a yellow belly slider hatchling, His basking area is about 90 degrees with a water temp of 78-80 degrees. He has a underawater heater as well as filter, I contition his water so there is no clorine in it with the Repti-safe water conditioner. However he does not eat his pellts or meal worms, he only thing he eats is shrimp, he has krill treats but i think he is to small to break them up in his mouth, He just hold them then spits them out. But when I have shrimp he sits and waits for me to feed him when his eyes are open and in the water (The only time i can ever see his eyes) But for the most part he just basks all day and is lethargic. Can someone help me? Me and my girlfriend really love this little guy! Its her Very first turtle ever! For me i have had man turtles seeing as how i grew up in the country in Michigan. Thank you for all your time and consideration and advice.

-will

How close is his basking lamp? Can you post a picture of the tank?

How is his behavior in water? Does it seem normal? What color is the crust? Is it only visible out of water? Does he have a UVB light?

Yes his behavior in the water is normal, he swims around for a bit then goes back to his basking area. His crust is brownish in the corner of his mouth, you can clearly see it either in water or out of water. And yes he has a UVB, And the light is far enough away to where it doesnt get to cold at all, all his temps are normal.

A UVB light would not produce any significant amount heat, so he would still need a separate basking lamp. How long has he been like this? I would shut off the UVB light to see if there are any changes first.

he has been like this for 6 days, We have had him for 7. He was totally fine his first day, then the second my girlfriend told me he was just "sleeping" the whole day. Do you think a basking light wouold correct any of this? I thought that ontop of promoting Vitamin D for the turtle that a UVB also gave heat as well? Either way he has an appointment with the vet today at 340. What do you recomend. He is very lathargic out of water but when I put him in he is fine and eats, but only shrimp. He wont touch anything else, not his pellets, or krill treats, not even veggies, just the shrimp.

UPDATE*** It was an ear infection, they gave us anti-biotics for him I have to administer them orally 1 time a day for 5 days. But whats the easiest way to get them in his mouth when he wont open it?

He needs basking regardless. Unless you have a pricey MVB, your UVB won't produce enough heat for a basking area. What's the medication you're giving him? How was it diagnosed to be an ear infection?

She gave him a check up/look over. The medication is called sulfamethoxazole. We have to administer it once a day orally for 5 days.

I'm not familiar with sulfamethoxazole... how is the turtle responding?

good, he is more active than usual. He is still a bit lathargic but he does get himself into the water now versus me putting him there. I still have hope for the little guy and I will be there every step of the way with him so he has the best chance. So all in all I am hopefull. PS*** Its a pink liquid. I have to give him 0.01 a day. So basically a drop, which i would think is more than an actual drop givin his size.

Has he been eating anything else besides shrimp?