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red eared slider issues

22 16:38:47

Question
We rescued a red eared slider from a koi pond in SC (actually there are 2).  The water quality was terrible and there were NO basking areas.  She (only a guess at this point) is young (approximately 2 inches in diameter).  
She has good coloring but has swollen eyes which I am treating with "Repti Turtle Eye Drops" from the local pet store.  Today is day 2 of the drops. She seems to be responding - she can actually blink now.
I have noticed that she sticks her head under water and "yawns".  Do you know what that means?
Also, the directions indicate treating her eyes once daily.  Can I treat them more often?


Answer
Swollen eyes are frustrating because it can be several things. In Res-ear Sliders (RES), vitamin A problems are one issue, but there are many others- infections, problems from dirty water, etc.

The eye drops help clean and lubricate the eye, but do little to heal anything. Go ahead and use them more often but do not buy them again. Next time, try Cod-Liver Oil gel-caps and pop them open to let it drizzle in the eye (and use them yourself for a boost of good nutrients!)

I'm betting that good care will do the actual healing. For some great info, try one of these websites:
- http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
- http://www.redearslider.com