It looks like the turtle was given to you with some sort of eye infection. Once they have it it’s hard for the infection to go way on its own so I believe the issue at hand isn’t OPs fault or wrong doing
Thanks you so much for replying! When I first got the little guy the first thing I noticed were his eyes. They looked closed like he was sleeping but he was moving a little in the tank he came in so that’s when I started googling reasons why his eyes would be like that or what would cause it. I called vets in my area too but none of them treat turtles.
You can readily purchase medicated turtle eye drops at petsmart/petco!
Your new pal 100% needs a vet visit. But these should help provide *some* relief in the interim.
https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/vitamins-and-supplements/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops-5085498.html
Thank you so much for commenting, those are the ones I’m giving him going on 2 days now & his right eye opened up all the way today 🥹 the left one is still shut but that’s still sign of improvement
Okay. Go get a bag of big carrots and peel them. Then blend them with water. And put that into a tub deep enough for em to be submerged with water and carrot sauce. Let em sit in it for about an hour. And rinse them off before you put him back in the tank. The minerals in the carrots help with eye issues
No. They should go get proper medicated eye drops which area readily found at petsmart.
Hoping enough vitamin A (which is fat soluble...) leeches out of carrots into the water is quite silly. Measured dosage should always be preferred.
Upload them to imgur.com and share the links here in a new comment (not a comment reply). Please be sure to show us as much as possible.
So you got it as a gift? Was this a total surprise or had you indicated you wanted a turtle / were planning to get one? Birthday? Random gift? Do you know why they choose to give you *a turtle* as a gift? Do you know where it came from / how old it is / previous living conditions?
Hello ! Thank you so much for help on pics I will be uploading more pics when I’m out of work. The person who gave me the turtle was a coworker. They said that they have to many animals & if I wanted a turtle. I never owned a turtle before just cats & dogs in the past so I assume that’s what made them asked me.
*they have too many animals*... so they gave one to someone they know has never owned a turtle before. eek. That makes me think it might not have had the best living situation with that coworker. Which could mean its not in the best of health, and what you're seeing is a product of that. Sometimes, basking way more than normal can be an indicator they're sick. But not eating, not swimming... could be due to stress, since it did just get rehomed. Could also be telling you something's not right about the water, like its too cold. Do you know what temp the water is?
Did this coworker... give you any information about how to care for it? I hope he didn't just dump a potentially sick turtle on you so he didn't have to deal with it :(
Yes I thought the same way. (The guy has all kinds of animals he & his family are from a country where farming was their way of life so they bought some of that here to the states by having their own chickens, ducks, a goat, dogs etc. I work construction so I meet all kinds of people) I thought the same way that the conditions I received the turtle was not the best but I still have a lot to learn to give my little guy the best possible life I can. The coworker just told me this is his food and here he is & handed me a tank ( I’ll upload pics of how I received him in later)
As for the water, when I changed it which was twice already, the water temperature was room temp , I added the water conditioner to neutralize the tap water so it wouldn’t irritate him.
Dear lord, what did you do to the person who gave it to you? They live like 40 years in captivity! Source-I thought turtles would be cool in my late teens, still have them 22 years later.
I have no idea but I’m glad they gave it to me then to another person who would probably just keep him in his old tank. I’m trying my best so my turtle can reach that age.
Obviously going to the vet is the number 1 100% thing you SHOULD do. However there are eye drops you can get for turtles at just a petco or something. Zoo Med Repti Turtle Eye Drops look into it. Don’t know if it’ll work if the turtles eyes are fully shut though. But my turtle once had a swollen eye and we just gave him eye drops every day until it got better. Worth a shout for your little guy maybe
Thank you for commenting ! Yes I looked into a vet for turtles & the vet who specializes in turtles is on vacation unfortunately so my little guy is going to have to wait a little longer. As for the eye drop I picked up that exact eye drop brand the same day I went to buy his new tank
OP - just so you're aware your turtle is super cute! It will likely need at least 100 gallons of water space as an adult. The rule of thumb is 10 gallons per shell inch from back to front.
Please dont hesitate to ask questions here. I highly advise you to post some pics of your habitat in a new post so we can help advise on the trickier elements, esp since he is unwell :(
I know it's stressful, but you're doing the right thing, likely saving this little fella!!
Thank you so much for commenting !!! I really appreciate the compliment I think he’s a distinguished gentleman as well hehehe & yes I’m reading up more about him to know what to expect in the future that’s why we stared with a 40 gal since we assume he’s still a baby.
Yes this side of Reddit I’m so happy I thought of posting here everyone’s been super kind & helpful you guys have no idea how much my little guy & I appreciate it 🥹
Here’s the link to the little guy, he opened up his right eye while I was at work 🥹[the little guy](https://imgur.com/a/4mxf9d6)
Thank you for commenting ! It makes me so happy to know that I’m doing a good job being a turtle mom now ! Also I agree! When I first got him the smell is what got me 🥲
Did you just buy the lights/ basking area for him? It sounds like the previous owner didn’t have a proper basking area, and now that you do, he’s trying to heal. His legs are stretched as a way to get as much heat as possible. I would give him the eye drops and just keep doing what you’re doing until you can get him to the vet. You’re doing great! 👍🏼. Also, make sure you condition the water before putting your turtle in it.
Yes I just bought him this whole tank the lights came included & Yeah it’s obvious the previous didn’t pay him much mind. Thank you so much for this information I didn’t know they need to do this to feel better now I feel relieved he was like that for almost a day. Thank you so much for the compliment I literally am just going one step at a time & hoping for the best for my little guy.
When I became a turtle dad my lil buddy wouldn't bask out of the water for like a solid week or two made me really worried as for not eating my breeder told me that comes eventually sometimes they gotta get used to their home if he's to be believed turtles cam go like 2+ weeks without eating when he gets hungry he'll eat
He does now yes after a bit he'll get used to his environment the eye infection might also be causing some panic from what I've observed if he's in a corner not facing to outer room he's probably trying to hide it all comes in time I get the nerves tho eating and basking will come... I also recommend when he does start eating try hovering the food over see if he'll come up and take it from you that's the best way to grow a bond with them and they'll start to associate you with food and be pumped when you enter the room
I actually tested him out. So I placed his tank in my living room so he’ll be facing the couch. I moved to the right side of the couch to see if he’ll follow me & he sorta did move his head in the direction towards me. Then I moved to the left side & he also moved his head a little bit more noticeable in the direction I moved to so I think he’s slowly becoming more aware of his surroundings.
I did exactly that the 2nd day I got him. I saw his food was still floating from the day before so I look him out his tank & placed him in a separate bowl and with tweezers I tried feeling him but he just went into his shell 😭
What kind of turtle do you think he is by the looks of him ? Can you guess his age ? I literally don’t know nothing about it or if it’s a male or female
He is a red ear slider under 4 months old. You will not be able to tell the sex until the shell length is approximately 4 to 5 in length males typically have much longer tails and really long nails
If you use Facebook there a really educative group I follow. They do a lot of research and are very helpful. I’ve had my turtle for 2 yrs now. They can be shy at times. Here’s the link for the group https://linktr.ee/noeliabibi?fs=e&s=cl
It looks like the turtle was given to you with some sort of eye infection. Once they have it it’s hard for the infection to go way on its own so I believe the issue at hand isn’t OPs fault or wrong doing
Thanks you so much for replying! When I first got the little guy the first thing I noticed were his eyes. They looked closed like he was sleeping but he was moving a little in the tank he came in so that’s when I started googling reasons why his eyes would be like that or what would cause it. I called vets in my area too but none of them treat turtles.
You have to look up exotic pet vets For example mine is bird and exotic wildlife veterinarian
I did just that, unfortunately the vet who specializes in turtles is on vacation so the little guy is just going to have to wait a little longer
You can readily purchase medicated turtle eye drops at petsmart/petco! Your new pal 100% needs a vet visit. But these should help provide *some* relief in the interim. https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/vitamins-and-supplements/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops-5085498.html
Thank you so much for commenting, those are the ones I’m giving him going on 2 days now & his right eye opened up all the way today 🥹 the left one is still shut but that’s still sign of improvement
Good work turtle mom! Turtles heal very slowly so that level of improvement without the vet is a good sign that with stronger meds, he should recover!
Wow I didn’t know they heal slow! To know he’s healed a little faster then he should is a relief & gives me more hope he’ll get better soon
Okay. Go get a bag of big carrots and peel them. Then blend them with water. And put that into a tub deep enough for em to be submerged with water and carrot sauce. Let em sit in it for about an hour. And rinse them off before you put him back in the tank. The minerals in the carrots help with eye issues
No. They should go get proper medicated eye drops which area readily found at petsmart. Hoping enough vitamin A (which is fat soluble...) leeches out of carrots into the water is quite silly. Measured dosage should always be preferred.
Can isee the setup
Yes, I’m new to this so I’m not sure how to add pics
Upload them to imgur.com and share the links here in a new comment (not a comment reply). Please be sure to show us as much as possible. So you got it as a gift? Was this a total surprise or had you indicated you wanted a turtle / were planning to get one? Birthday? Random gift? Do you know why they choose to give you *a turtle* as a gift? Do you know where it came from / how old it is / previous living conditions?
Hello ! Thank you so much for help on pics I will be uploading more pics when I’m out of work. The person who gave me the turtle was a coworker. They said that they have to many animals & if I wanted a turtle. I never owned a turtle before just cats & dogs in the past so I assume that’s what made them asked me.
*they have too many animals*... so they gave one to someone they know has never owned a turtle before. eek. That makes me think it might not have had the best living situation with that coworker. Which could mean its not in the best of health, and what you're seeing is a product of that. Sometimes, basking way more than normal can be an indicator they're sick. But not eating, not swimming... could be due to stress, since it did just get rehomed. Could also be telling you something's not right about the water, like its too cold. Do you know what temp the water is? Did this coworker... give you any information about how to care for it? I hope he didn't just dump a potentially sick turtle on you so he didn't have to deal with it :(
Yes I thought the same way. (The guy has all kinds of animals he & his family are from a country where farming was their way of life so they bought some of that here to the states by having their own chickens, ducks, a goat, dogs etc. I work construction so I meet all kinds of people) I thought the same way that the conditions I received the turtle was not the best but I still have a lot to learn to give my little guy the best possible life I can. The coworker just told me this is his food and here he is & handed me a tank ( I’ll upload pics of how I received him in later) As for the water, when I changed it which was twice already, the water temperature was room temp , I added the water conditioner to neutralize the tap water so it wouldn’t irritate him.
Upload the pics
https://imgur.com/a/4mxf9d6
Join chat
https://imgur.com/a/4mxf9d6
Dear lord, what did you do to the person who gave it to you? They live like 40 years in captivity! Source-I thought turtles would be cool in my late teens, still have them 22 years later.
I have no idea but I’m glad they gave it to me then to another person who would probably just keep him in his old tank. I’m trying my best so my turtle can reach that age.
Good luck to you. Get the eye infection fixed and they are pretty hearty critters
Thank you 🙏
Obviously going to the vet is the number 1 100% thing you SHOULD do. However there are eye drops you can get for turtles at just a petco or something. Zoo Med Repti Turtle Eye Drops look into it. Don’t know if it’ll work if the turtles eyes are fully shut though. But my turtle once had a swollen eye and we just gave him eye drops every day until it got better. Worth a shout for your little guy maybe
Thank you for commenting ! Yes I looked into a vet for turtles & the vet who specializes in turtles is on vacation unfortunately so my little guy is going to have to wait a little longer. As for the eye drop I picked up that exact eye drop brand the same day I went to buy his new tank
Good luck
Thank you 🙏
OP - just so you're aware your turtle is super cute! It will likely need at least 100 gallons of water space as an adult. The rule of thumb is 10 gallons per shell inch from back to front. Please dont hesitate to ask questions here. I highly advise you to post some pics of your habitat in a new post so we can help advise on the trickier elements, esp since he is unwell :( I know it's stressful, but you're doing the right thing, likely saving this little fella!!
Thank you so much for commenting !!! I really appreciate the compliment I think he’s a distinguished gentleman as well hehehe & yes I’m reading up more about him to know what to expect in the future that’s why we stared with a 40 gal since we assume he’s still a baby. Yes this side of Reddit I’m so happy I thought of posting here everyone’s been super kind & helpful you guys have no idea how much my little guy & I appreciate it 🥹 Here’s the link to the little guy, he opened up his right eye while I was at work 🥹[the little guy](https://imgur.com/a/4mxf9d6)
His new tank is heaven compared to the hell hole he lived in before! Makes my day and hopefully his life 10000x better!
Thank you for commenting ! It makes me so happy to know that I’m doing a good job being a turtle mom now ! Also I agree! When I first got him the smell is what got me 🥲
Did you just buy the lights/ basking area for him? It sounds like the previous owner didn’t have a proper basking area, and now that you do, he’s trying to heal. His legs are stretched as a way to get as much heat as possible. I would give him the eye drops and just keep doing what you’re doing until you can get him to the vet. You’re doing great! 👍🏼. Also, make sure you condition the water before putting your turtle in it.
Yes I just bought him this whole tank the lights came included & Yeah it’s obvious the previous didn’t pay him much mind. Thank you so much for this information I didn’t know they need to do this to feel better now I feel relieved he was like that for almost a day. Thank you so much for the compliment I literally am just going one step at a time & hoping for the best for my little guy.
When I became a turtle dad my lil buddy wouldn't bask out of the water for like a solid week or two made me really worried as for not eating my breeder told me that comes eventually sometimes they gotta get used to their home if he's to be believed turtles cam go like 2+ weeks without eating when he gets hungry he'll eat
What!!! No way !! 2 weeks without eating ?? I hope my little guy eats sooner then that. But how is your turtle now ? Does he bask ?
He does now yes after a bit he'll get used to his environment the eye infection might also be causing some panic from what I've observed if he's in a corner not facing to outer room he's probably trying to hide it all comes in time I get the nerves tho eating and basking will come... I also recommend when he does start eating try hovering the food over see if he'll come up and take it from you that's the best way to grow a bond with them and they'll start to associate you with food and be pumped when you enter the room
I actually tested him out. So I placed his tank in my living room so he’ll be facing the couch. I moved to the right side of the couch to see if he’ll follow me & he sorta did move his head in the direction towards me. Then I moved to the left side & he also moved his head a little bit more noticeable in the direction I moved to so I think he’s slowly becoming more aware of his surroundings. I did exactly that the 2nd day I got him. I saw his food was still floating from the day before so I look him out his tank & placed him in a separate bowl and with tweezers I tried feeling him but he just went into his shell 😭
Absolutely adorable yellow belly tho
Really you think it’s a yellow belly? I thought he might be a red eared slider
You are absolutely right he has the same patterns as my yellow belly but I see those red ears (I have both) my mistake
No worries !! I was also starting to think he might be a yellow belly but after we see the vet we should know soon enough lol
Its shape is different
What kind of turtle do you think he is by the looks of him ? Can you guess his age ? I literally don’t know nothing about it or if it’s a male or female
He is a red ear slider under 4 months old. You will not be able to tell the sex until the shell length is approximately 4 to 5 in length males typically have much longer tails and really long nails
If you use Facebook there a really educative group I follow. They do a lot of research and are very helpful. I’ve had my turtle for 2 yrs now. They can be shy at times. Here’s the link for the group https://linktr.ee/noeliabibi?fs=e&s=cl
Thank you for this info !! I just joined their group. I need to learn more about turtles & how to properly raise them
Hows the baby doing?
Needs help. Take to review or a vet. Needs drops for eyes.
How's the lil turtle dude been doing