Treatment for White Eye in Red-eared Sliders: Introduction to Two Causes and Treatment Methods

Recently, a friend’s Red-eared Slider Turtle developed the White Eye Condition, which is quite severe. They privately messaged me to ask for treatment methods. So, in this article, I’ll share my understanding and treatment methods for the White Eye Condition in Red-eared Slider Turtles from the perspective of an ordinary turtle keeper.

It’s interesting to note that the Red-eared Slider Turtle, one of the most well-known and successful invasive species globally, has become synonymous with sickly pets in the domestic turtle-keeping community. When I first started keeping turtles, an experienced friend told me that when Red-eared Sliders were still valuable, they were very hardy. It was like what some turtle enthusiasts described as their “Three-Uncle”or “Six-Uncle” turtles, which could be kept for many years in very rudimentary environments. However, as Red-eared Sliders became very cheap, they were subjected to poor breeding, transportation, and selling conditions, as well as inbreeding. As a result, their health deteriorated, making them more susceptible to White Eye Condition and pneumonia. Nowadays, getting a Red-eared Slider Turtle feels like a lottery.

Types of White Eye Condition

Back to the White Eye Condition, there are roughly two types in turtles:

1. White Eye Condition Caused by Bacterial Infection: This type of White Eye Condition is relatively easy to treat and might even heal on its own, with a slow progression. Initially, the eyelids turn white and swell, and the turtle often keeps its eyes closed or opens them very slowly. Although this condition might heal spontaneously, it is still necessary to apply medication promptly because if it progresses to the point where the eyes cannot be opened at all, it will be difficult for the medicine to reach the affected area, complicating the treatment.
2. White Eye Condition as a Complication Due to Other Diseases: This type of White Eye Condition progresses very rapidly. The turtle may not be able to open its eyes overnight, followed by refusal to drink water or eat, drooping head, and weak limbs. What’s even more distressing is that some sick turtles, despite having endured for a long time, still cannot be saved, which is very frustrating. In such cases, the primary disease should be treated first before addressing the White Eye Condition.

Treatment Methods

White Eye Condition Caused by Bacterial Infection

Two of my larger Red-eared Slider Turtles have experienced White Eye Condition due to bacterial infection. One of them was treated by applying Erythromycin ointment and using Ofloxacin eye drops, followed by a period of dry docking. It recovered in just a few days. The other one was treated by soaking in a powder called GuiBie Baiyan Changyan Ling, which I learned about through online videos. It also recovered quickly, so much so that I wasn’t sure if it healed on its own. Later, a friend mentioned that this medicine is just ordinary Aquatic Yellow Powder, which made me hesitant to recommend it indiscriminately.

White Eye Condition as a Complication

Generally, pneumonia in Red-eared Slider Turtles is often accompanied by White Eye Condition. When treating, the basking platform should be removed immediately, the water level should be lowered to just cover the carapace, and the turtle should be kept at a constant temperature of 30°C for rest. Traditionally, Amoxicillin is used for soaking, but I saw online that soaking in GuiSuKang No. 1 from a certain online store had good results, and the packaging even included instructions for use.

Personal Experience

So, I am just an ordinary turtle keeper with limited knowledge. Many of the treatment methods I use for turtle diseases were learned from others online. When friends privately message me for help with some complicated conditions, I don’t understand them either. In fact, even friends who don’t follow me, as long as they message me politely, I will reply. Even if I don’t understand many of the questions, I will still respond with something like, “I don’t have experience with this; it’s better to ask someone else.”

This is not because I want to act as a teacher or think I am very capable. Rather, as someone who has been through it, I can understand the helplessness and anxiety of these friends. It is a sentiment of not wanting to let people down.