Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Where to begin. I recently recieved an exotic (not near the range) Red Eared Slider that was most likely an unwanted pet. It was dumped in a pond at the nearby nature reserve in Northern Michigan. This turtle has many problems. It seems undernourished, as it has a large amount of loose looking skin and not the plump forearms of a normal aquatic turtle. Its eyes are so swollen that it is totaly blind, and I believe it is missing an eye, but cannot tell. It also has a grey fungus all over the flesh areas, which I have seen before in turtles that have been cared for inadequately, ie dirty water. I know for a fact that it also has a respritory infection, as it is always wheezing and spinning around. I haven't been able to totaly check out its entire body, as it is very lethargic and floats in the tank without much movement. I would like to know where to begin; what exactly to treat first, and how to treat it. Im working on finding a vet, but being up north here there aren't many around. I've dealt with some turtle illnesses before, but not so many at once, and so late in developement. Keep in mind I have absolutely no idea how long this has been going on, and no idea how long it hasn't been eating for. This is your general 5-6 inch female res.

Steps I've taken:

Removed large leech infestation
Made tank water temperature to 85 degrees to boost immune system
Applying triple antibiotic ointment 3 times a day to eyes *Note* I realize the swollen eyes can come from the respiratory infection, but I don't think the ointment can hurt, all it can do is possibly help clear up an eye infection if it exists.

On behalf of one sick res, thanks for your time.

I just went and checked up on her. She's dead, don't think there was anything I could have done, shes been here less than 20 hours.

I'm still interested in response to my original question though, what would have been my best response had she lived.

Poor thing. Sometimes I wish they could talk to tell us what happened to them and then other times I think I'd rather not know. Warmth was the main thing (which you did). Ill turtles can be kept as high as 88 degrees. I would have put her in a container without water and only soaked her in a half inch of tap water a couple of hours once or twice per day. Weak turtles in particular should not be put in deep water. If she hadn't eaten in a long time, she was probably dehydrated and probably needed rehydrating fluids tubed into her stomach by someone with experience only! Only a very experience turtle keeper, an experience rehabber or a vet should attempt this. Only a vet could have given you the injectable antibiotics needed for the resp. inf. Sounds like multiple problems which needed multiple treatment by a vet. There were probably nutritional deficiencies and intestinal parasites too. Poor thing was obviously too far gone since it died so quick. In situations like this you can only try to console yourself by saying at least you gave her a warm peaceful place to spend the last few hours of her life.

Sorry for your loss. The only real chance she would have had would have been injected antibiotics, but it sounds like she was way to far gone to be saved.
-----