Red-eared sliders are often sold by unscrupulous people by the side of the road.  These tiny turtles have often been kept in unhealthy situations between the time they hatched and when they finally ended up in your hands.  As a result, many of these baby turtles die within a month or so of being purchased even if you do everything right!

Many of these baby red-eared sliders develop eye problems.  Some may simply be unable to open one or both eyes.  Others squint a lot.  One of both eyes may start to swell and eventually puff up like a water balloon.  A red-eared slider showing any of these signs should be taken to a veterinarian as it is likely they have a vitamin A deficiency and even an infection.

While you are waiting to get to the veterinarian, please warm the water temperature to 80 to 85F.  Make sure the basking spot has a nice white spotlight that heats the area to 90-95F for 12 hrs a day.  Put an ultraviolet-B emitting bulb, such as a Zoomed Reptisun 5.0 or a Powersun, over the enclosure and make sure it is on for at least 8 hrs a day.  Feed a good quality pellet designed for aquatic turtles, or a mix of trout chow, koi pellets, kitten chow, and earthworms.  Fresh green leafy produce, chopped whole fish, and even chopped baby mice help round out a good diet.