Things You'll Need
- Vitamin A injections
- Antibiotic injections
- Antibiotic cream
- Cotton swab
- Dechlorinator
Instructions
Take your red-eared slider to a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles. She will diagnose the cause of the swollen eyes. The two main culprits are a vitamin A deficiency or a bacterial infection. If the vitamin A deficiency is not terminal, the turtle should make a complete and rapid recovery.
Treat vitamin A deficiencies with an injection. You will have to alter your red-eared slider turtle's diet to include foods rich in vitamin A. Your veterinarian can advise you on ways to improve your turtle's diet.
Confirm bacterial infections by asking your vet to test the mucous around the turtle's eye. The vet will then give the turtle an antibiotic injection and possibly an oil-based ointment that should be applied with a cotton swab. Bacterial infections are usually caused by poor environmental conditions. Clean your red-eared slider's environment and improve conditions by cleaning or replacing the filter, checking temperatures and keeping your vivarium clean at all times.
Check your red-eared slider's water for chlorine. Chlorine can cause the eyes to swell. Dechlorinate your turtle's water with a few drops of dechlorinator available at pet and aquarium stores. Dechlorinate the water every time you change it.