Can a red eared slider get an eye infection?

Red-eared sliders with Vitamin A deficiencies are also more likely to develop eye infections. A red-eared slider that is dehydrated will have swollen eyes. Remember that your pet loses a lot of water through its eye tissues. If your turtle is healthy, then dehydration shouldn’t be a concern.

Why does my red eared slider turtle have swollen eyes?

Swollen or inflamed eyes may also be associated with traumatic injuries (bite wounds, poking eye on wood), debris under the lid and ear infections (particularly common in American Box Turtles, Terrapene spp.). Further Reading Rating Turtle Filters Water Quality in Turtle Aquariums

What should I do if my red eared slider gets sick?

Like cats, dogs, and all other pets, red eared sliders have a litany of health conditions which can coming up in the course of their life. In almost all cases, the best course is to immediately consult a vet. Many common red eared slider illnesses, such as respiratory or other infections, can be quickly fatal if not treated properly.

How big does a red eared slider get?

Red eared sliders, especially those under 4 inches long, can harbor and transmit the bacteria that cause salmonella. This bacteria is especially dangerous to children and pregnant women, and can result in hospitalization or worse.

Red-eared sliders with Vitamin A deficiencies are also more likely to develop eye infections. A red-eared slider that is dehydrated will have swollen eyes. Remember that your pet loses a lot of water through its eye tissues. If your turtle is healthy, then dehydration shouldn’t be a concern.

Swollen or inflamed eyes may also be associated with traumatic injuries (bite wounds, poking eye on wood), debris under the lid and ear infections (particularly common in American Box Turtles, Terrapene spp.). Further Reading Rating Turtle Filters Water Quality in Turtle Aquariums

What’s the best way to care for a red ear slider turtle?

The heat light keeps the basking area temperature 10 degrees higher than your water temperature. Your turtle shouldn’t be able to reach the lighting, since the bulbs can burn. Screw the lights tightly out of the way of the turtle. Also, never leave a glass or plastic tank in full sunlight as it will quickly overheat.

What kind of diet does a red eared slider have?

Red Eared Sliders, Painted and Map Turtles, Cooters and many others begin life as carnivores but gradually shift to a plant-based diet as they mature.

How much water do red ear sliders need?

A rule of thumb is, red-eared sliders generally need about 10 gallons of water for every inch shell length. Always keep the turtle tank water clean and fresh. Choose a high power canister filter which can cope up with the load of the tank. You can use a reptile water conditioner like Zoo Med ReptiSafe conditioner.

Red Eared Sliders, Painted and Map Turtles, Cooters and many others begin life as carnivores but gradually shift to a plant-based diet as they mature.

How do you care for a red eared slider?

Caring for your red-eared slider requires more than just an aquarium, some water, and some mealworms. It’s important to take into account the unique diet, tank specifications, lighting requirements, and health issues associated with this breed.

Why is my red eared slider not eating?

The water temperature must be maintained between 75-85 degreed F. Remember that if the water is too cool, the red-eared slider will not eat food. If the water is too warm, the turtle might get cooked. But if your slider is sick, it should be kept in a slightly warmer temperature.

Do red eared sliders carry diseases?

Improper environmental conditions and diet are among the most common culprits when it comes to health problems in red eared sliders. Diseases such as metabolic bone disease (MBD) and vitamin A deficiency are seen in many kinds of reptiles including red eared sliders.

What should I Feed my red eared slider?

Remember that adult red eared sliders are quite herbivorous so if your turtle seems overly hungry, try feeding more leafy greens and plant material rather than aquatic turtle pellets or prey food items. The amount of food you feed depends a bit on your individual turtle.

How long can a red eared slider turtle live?

In short, with proper care, a captive-bred red-eared slider can live more than 20 years. However, most of them don’t live that long due to improper care by their owners. Most people have no idea that red-eared sliders can live that long. In some cases even 50 years.

Is it illegal to buy a red ear slider turtle?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who sell wild turtles. It’s illegal and you should stay away from them. Always ask for documentation regarding the turtles offered. Even if you want to buy wild turtle you shouldn’t do it. They are more prone to diseases than captive bred red-eared sliders. Third: Check signs for illness.

Where can I get a red eared slider?

A great resource is the book “Red-Eared Sliders” from the Animal Planet Pet Care Library, available through Amazon . Releasing a slider to a pond or lake isn’t an alternative.

In short, with proper care, a captive-bred red-eared slider can live more than 20 years. However, most of them don’t live that long due to improper care by their owners. Most people have no idea that red-eared sliders can live that long. In some cases even 50 years.

What should I do if my red ear slider turtle is not eating?

There is no at home treatment, and this can only get worse. You can treat the eyes with some Saline eye drops without presevatives, as the turtle eye drops are worthless, and this is an infection that will need to be treated with an antibiotic. The turtles should have a cuttle bone for calcium. A UVB light is needed.

How big of a water tank do I need for a red ear slider turtle?

Set up the tank so there’s a land area and a water area. Put the basking light at one end so the whole tank doesn’t get too hot. You want the water to be about twice as deep as the turtle is long. If the turtle is two inches long, you’ll want four inches of water.

Can a red eared slider open its eyes?

At first, an afflicted turtle may paw at its eyes but otherwise behave normally. In time, swelling will increase and the animal will be unable to open its eyes.

There is no at home treatment, and this can only get worse. You can treat the eyes with some Saline eye drops without presevatives, as the turtle eye drops are worthless, and this is an infection that will need to be treated with an antibiotic. The turtles should have a cuttle bone for calcium. A UVB light is needed.

Set up the tank so there’s a land area and a water area. Put the basking light at one end so the whole tank doesn’t get too hot. You want the water to be about twice as deep as the turtle is long. If the turtle is two inches long, you’ll want four inches of water.

What should I do for my red eared slider turtle?

Good health and a strong immune system will go a long way in helping your turtle fight off harmful micro-organisms.   In addition to clean water, always provide heat, UVB exposure and nutrition that are appropriate to the species you keep.

Good health and a strong immune system will go a long way in helping your turtle fight off harmful micro-organisms.   In addition to clean water, always provide heat, UVB exposure and nutrition that are appropriate to the species you keep.

Why are the eyes of a red eared slider turtle swollen?

Also, dead cells may start to gather around the eyes of the turtle. In severe cases, the turtle will get blind, so it won’t be able to eat properly. As a result, it will lose weight rapidly. To treat swollen eyes of red-eared sliders, first, you need to find out the cause of the swollen eyes.

Why is my red eared slider turtle not eating?

Are red eared sliders endangered?

Red-eared sliders are not threatened or endangered anywhere. Unfortunately, due to captive pet turtles being released into non-native habitats, these turtles are considered an invasive species in some areas around the country and the world, often out-competing native turtles for resources.

Are red eared slider turtles land or water turtles?

Red eared slider or red ear slider is semi aquatic turtle that resides in areas with fresh, calm and warm water source like ponds, marshes, streams and lakes. There should also be abundant aquatic vegetation, which is the main diet for adult turtle. These reptiles are fast and excellent swimmers.

What’s the difference between yellow bellied slider and red eared slider?

Looks wise, the red-eared slider closely resembles its cousin turtle species, the yellow-bellied slider. The primary differences in appearance are that of the red-eared slider’s red mark by its ear and lack of spotting on its plastron (belly shell).

Where did the red eared slider get its name?

In the 1900s, red-eared sliders were captured in the wild to be sold in dime stores and markets. They were small, cheap, cute, and became popular pets. By the 1950s, millions of red-eared sliders were being farmed and shipped for the pet trade, both here and abroad.

What kind of eyes does a red eared slider have?

Lacking green pigmentation, albino red eared sliders are a mix of pale yellows, creams and pinks, with reddy-pink eyes. The red patch behind the eyes that give the red eared slider it’s name are still there, but instead of red they are a darker pink color.

What does a pastel red eared slider look like?

The pastel morph produces a turtle with normal coloration, just slightly lighter. In this case, the red eared slider has a gorgeous mix of pale greens and yellow, and gorgeous light green eyes. 4. Hypo Pastel

What kind of food does a red eared slider eat?

Red-eared sliders seem to prefer this food group the MOST! The sky is pretty much the limit in this department – if you can find it in a pet store for the purposes of feeding any type of pet, your turtle can probably eat it. You can also opt to purchase live, canned, or freeze-dried feeders.

What foods are good for red eared sliders?

While kale, collard greens, dandelion and similar foods are the best sources of Vitamin A (technically, they supply Beta Carotene, a precursor to the vitamin),turtle chows and pellets should also be considered as sources.   Always choose products offered by well-respected companies, such as Tetra, Zoo Med, Exo-terra and Hikari.

What kind of shell does a red eared slider turtle have?

Other than having the general adaptations of most other types of turtles, like having hard shells or the ability to retract themselves inside their shells, the body and shell color of the red-eared sliders is brown, black and/or dull green, the color common to the waters and areas where these turtles dwell.

Why does a red ear slider turtle make a hissing noise?

Although, there have been many reports from red-eared slider owners that they often get hissing sounds, but, the fact is, the sounds do not come from their mouth. Turtles do not make noises. Such sounds might often be emitted from the turtles while expelling air from their lungs so that they are able to retreat into their shells.

Is the red eared slider turtle an invasive species?

Red-Eared Slider Turtle. The Red-Eared Slider, also called the red-eared terrapin, is an American breed of turtles widely spread across the USA, and is quickly becoming an invasive species in many parts of the world. It is also the most popular breed of pet turtle in the US and is widely kept as pet around the world.

How should I clean my red slider turtle’s shell?

Method 1 (Removing The Damaged Tissue): Remove the damaged tissues of your Red eared slider delicately. Do not force any tissue to come out. Now clean the area with a solution of betadine or Chlorhexidine or Gentian Violet. Keep your turtle out of water, and in a warm place for twelve hours a day. In a few weeks, your Red eared slider will recover from this disease.

Do Red Eared Sliders need a basking area?

Other important requirements for basking areas inside the tanks of red-eared sliders include: Heat source – To encourage basking, the spot should be about 10 degrees warmer than the temperature of the water in the tank. A basking temperature that is too hot may increase your pet’s risk of hyperthermia .

Are red eared sliders intelligent?

Red-eared sliders are attractive, intelligent and fascinating turtles that require special care. Maintaining them properly demands dedication and knowledge. In a well-designed habitat, turtles will delight their owners with their appearance and remarkable behaviors.

Why do your older red ear slider turtles shell peeling?

Why Cracked Shell Condition Happens To A Red Eared Slider? If your red eared slider falls on his/her shell from a considerable height, there is a high possibility of shell cracking. If a car or any massive force hits your turtle, his/her shell can get cracked. Wildlife attacks on a turtle also open the possibility of shell cracking.