Therapeutic Management of Hypovitaminosis-A in Red Eared Slider Turtles

Five Indoor Red eared slider turtles were brought by different owners with complaint of anorexia, respiratory distress and eye problem. On observation, one male and one female turtle were dull with open-mouthed distressed breathing and rest of them were alert and active. On clinical examination, all physiological parameters were under the normal limit. On physical examination, the auscultation of three turtles showed moist rales with excess mucus in their mouths and ocular examination revealed swelling of conjunctival mucous membrane and sloughing of skin beside the eyes and secondary infection of skin was observed. The turtles were diagnosed with Hypovitaminosis A with lower respiratory tract infections. All five Red eared turtles were treated with oral antibiotic Clindamycin BID PO and cap. Vitamin A on alternative days for thirty days. All five Red eared slider turtle had an uneventful recovery which varied from 20-30 days.