Red-eared sliders are very common as pets in our homes and in homes across the Europe. Although their care and maintenance are quite simple, problem frequently occurs especially with young individuals. It is the inflammation of ocular structures, starting from the third eyelid, and as the process is expanding it abstracts other parts of the eye. Owners often come with an anamnesis that the turtle is “blind”. It is, in fact, the intense inflammation and thickening of the third eyelid, as well as the accumulation of purulent content below it. If treatment is not started in time, the process abstracts other structures of the eye and then treatment is painstakingly with a poor prognosis. The main cause is inadequate nutrition, poor with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, as well as inadequate water temperature.
In order to prevent the occurrence of this disease, it is necessary to make more diverse diet, so beside gammarus shrimp, there should be involved raw beef, chicken or fish. Occasionally it is necessary to add one of the commercial vitamin-mineral supplements, and of course take care of the water temperature. It should be between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Hygiene of the aquarium and water in it, of course, is implied.
If disease still occurs, there should be no delay with bringing the turtle to the vet. The prognosis is much better if the turtle is brought while still taking food because at a later stage of the disease appetite disappears, and the process can be extended to other organs, so the outcome is often bad.
On the photographs you can see how does the eye look at the start of treatment, after 10 days since therapy started and at the end – healthy eye after successfully conducted therapy.
Greetings from your veterinary clinic “NOMOVET”.
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