4839. A 4-month-old red-eared slider is lethargic and has not been eating for 3 days

VET CASE  FEB 2026

Hello, I would like to check on terrapin treatments.

I have a 3–4 month old red-eared slider that has not been eating for around 3 days. It has been basking more than usual but it still goes into the water, just not moving around as much, seems lethargic, and I have noticed bubbles from its nose(a few times,not much)with heavier breathing at times. No visible eye swelling or mucus formed. I’m deciding to bring it to the vet if it still acts like this after a few more days, if it’s not too young to be treated.

May I check:
    1.    What is your consultation fee?
    2.    Roughly how much would diagnosis and treatment cost?

Please phone 6254-3326 for information. 

 

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VET CASE   MAY 2021 

 

Complaints:
1. White and black spots on shell
2. Soft shell in back area.
3. Gasping 

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common disease in pet red-eared sliders.
Other terms which may be used include fibrous osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, and rickets. There is no single cause of MBD and the disease is not as simple as calcium deficiency. The primary problem is a disruption of calcium metabolism which causes a host of related problems.

MBD is almost always a result of poor husbandry but it is also generally preventable by providing a proper environment and diet specifically for your type of reptile. 

Prevention of metabolic bone disease

Proper husbandry is more than just providing the right diet. The following are important in both the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone disease:

• A diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients. Buy a reputable brand with good supply of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vit D..
• Exposure to UVA/UVB invisible light rays
• Proper heat gradients - basking area heated at one end with heating lamp and UVA/UVB lights, the other end cooler temperature.
• Adequate enclosure and/or room to exercise