Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

About 6 weeks ago I bought just hatched, two baby red ear sliders from china town. When I purchased them I wasn't aware they were illegal in the country. In the beginning they weren't eating anything, quite stressed. However, I've managed to kept them the little things alive and thankfully they eat like little more than enough.

Few days back, I've noticed one of the is shredding skin, it looked quite painful and same turtie what seems like swollen glands. Every time he stretches his neck they seem swollen while the other buddy doesn’t have it.

Please tell me if that's this is part of normal yearly thing or my turtie is sick and needs a treatment?

P.S. he is still quite active and not sitting in the corner.

Saby.

This sounds like an ear abcess. They don't have external ear canals like we do, but they do have all of the same basic inner workings like we do, and sometimes an infection moves up from the throat into the eustation (sp?) tube. I would recommend a visit to an experienced reptile veterinarian. This one might need antibiotics or surgery.

Katrina

Baby red eared sliders are not illegal in this country. So you don't have to worry you are breaking any laws. It is illegal to SELL them under 4 inches in shell length unless it is for educational or scientific purposes. It is NOT illegal to for you to own one though.

Steve