General Care Discussion

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 2:31 pm **Turtle won't eat**

I have had him for almost 4 months now. Up until last night he was his usual self. Playing around pushing stones and always hungry. He hasn't eaten anything since last night. There has been no change in his schedule or routine. Winter is here, so is that something that may have caused it? He has been very inactive since last night. I caught him sleeping in his feeding bowl with his head and legs outside (attaching image). Never seen this before. What should I do?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 10:15 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Weather, especially cold can depress appetite. From the picture, my immediate concern is that the eyes look swollen. Can you tell me more about his diet and setup? If he cannot see, he likely won't eat.

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 12:28 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Well, he has a bigger tank than he needs. Over 30 gallons. Two corals for him to climb on. I'm giving him blood worms and shrimps. He won't eat anything else. I tried cucumber but no luck.

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 6:02 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebinde ... disart.htm

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:00 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

He needs a more balanced diet. Also, if that is his food bowl, he needs to be in water to swallow. Do you have heater, filter, thermometer, etc?

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:08 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Can you get a better picture of your turtles eyes? It might need to see a vet before they become swollen shut! And Steve is right it has to eat in water!

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:47 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Yes I provide him water to eat in. I have kept him in this bowl for a day so I can change his water every 4-5 hrs since I don't have a very good filter. He is rarely opening his eyes and they have gone red. My sister has the same problem and the vet said it's because of changing season. I've been adding the drops to his water since yesterday. No improvement so far.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 6:41 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Your Vet is wrong. I would find a different Vet.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:40 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

What would you say might be the problem?

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:49 am **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Bacterial infection from dirty water or vitamin A deficiency. Both need to be treated by a vet. Did you read the link I gave you?

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:30 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Yes I have. I guess I will have to go to a different vet and get this checked.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:26 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

If it is a vitamin A deficiency, try applying some cod liver oil to they eyes. If its an infection, you will need an antibiotic from the vet. There is also a product called Zoo Med Repti Turtle Eye Drops which might help in minor cases. Do you have a UVB lamp?

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:46 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

I thought if its vitamin a deficiency it would need a shot of vitamin A ? Just going off of the articles I have read. I think I have talked with 2 people on here that lost their turtles due to swollen eyes since I have been on this site. That's too many in my opinion so I recommend a vet wrather than any home treatment just because of misdiagnosis by keepers. If my turtles eyes looked like the picture I would take it to a vet before its too late.

Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2014 11:46 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

Vets seem to routinely offer a general "vitamin shot" and it has become a minor problem. I don't want to get that confused with Vit A. Cod liver oil and the eye drops work very well if there is only a vitamin A deficiency. I don't recall much about Vit A shots, but that should work too. However, if there is another cause or underlying problem, then I absolutely agree that the turtle should be taken to the vet ASAP.

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:46 pm **Re: Turtle won't eat**

How is the turtle?

General Care Discussion :: Turtle won't eat

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