Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just purchased a malayan box turtle from petsmart and when we had left the store i had discovered the number of health problems it has as well as the minor shell rot that i had already noticed. it has discharge coming from its eyes and mouth and never opens its eyes. it opens it's mouth and weazes now and then and is very inactive...im worried but i can't get it into the vet for a few more days...any advice? i don't want to have to return this turtle, but i don't want to have to spend much more money...

i was wondering if turtles can contract congectivitus (pink eye)....i've also heard that the swelling of the eyes can be cause by a lack of vitamin A i was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to coax this turlte out (even though i know it is probably in horrible pain ...) does anyone have any ideas on what this turtle might eat in this sort of health? sorry i have so many questions, im just worried about him...i don't want to have to give him back to a place that doesn't care if he isn't well...

well i won't debate the responsibility of caring for this animal (whose it was, yours or the store's) but i will tell you it will need a vet from what it sounds like and it will cost money.
i wouldn't expect it to eat much but banana and melon and earthworms are the usual favortites
kept it warm mid 80's
and warm water too, high 70's, until you can get it to a vet
vit A deficiency is likely the last of its problems.
the eyes may be from excessive dehydration (this species spends more than half its time in water in the wild)or from long developing internal infections/
weezing and discharge likley indicate some respitory infection, possibly pneumonia/
get it to a vet soon
get a good reptile vet too so you don't waste your time/money and further jeopardize the turtle's health
try arav
click on "members" and search by state for a reptile trained vet