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DISEASES
Taking care of your turtle might become a very hard and challenging endeavor. Sliders are particularly demanding and delicate. Do your best providing clean environment, find a suitable aquarium and keep it "squeaky" clean. If you don't feel experienced enough, ask for advice from a qualified veterinarian before attempting to treat any of your turtle's diseases. Here are some of the most common illnesses.
Salmonella
This disease is probably the most feared amongst hobbyists. After the Salmonella scare of the 70's the Government banned the trade with turtles with carapace under 4" long, thus many people started thinking twice before getting a turtle.
Salmonella is basically an intestinal infection that attacks many living organisms (turtles are not the only carriers of the disease). It is transmitted through filthy water, feces, and some infected sources of food.
Humans contract the disease by coming in contact with the chelonian.
The symptoms are no appetite, lethargy, and sometimes diarrhea. A veterinarian should promptly treat salmonella. If not treated at time the animal will die within a week.
If you and your family have been in contact with the animal you should rush to the hospital.
The only way to win this battle is to prevent it by cleaning the turtle surroundings, and if you suspect of anything, dump the water, wash the aquarium and implements with bleach, dispose of the gravel and filter media, and never forget your personal hygiene after touching the turtle.
Some more professional answers could be found here…
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Swollen
Eyes
Swollen eyes are caused in 90% of cases for filthy water coming in contact with the slider. Some others are attributed to vitamin A deficiency and to chlorine water.
The Symptoms are bulging eyelids, as well as flaking of skin, and bloody skin patches. Swollen eyes can result in vision problems or can cause permanent blindness.
Prevention comes again tied to good husbandry and constant control of the water quality. Get the best filter for your tank.
Give the necessary vitamins and nutrients to your animal. Do not overfeed the turtle.
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Ear
Infection
Symptoms: Localized collection of puss accompanied by inflammation in the turtle's cheek area.
The main cause is bad water quality.
A qualified veterinarian should remove the abscess surgically. Though some people have done it at home.
The procedure includes placing the turtle under anesthesia and making a small incision along the lump. After that the puss is removed and then flushed with an antiseptic solution.
After the operation the reptile is kept apart from the rest under owner's monitoring for a few days.
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Fungus
Fuzzy gray and white patches can be developed on the carapace. These are fungal growths. The causes are poor water quality, poor lightning quality and lack of good basking spots to allow the turtle to dry off and receive some heat.
Make sure you have a good full spectrum or UVB Light bulb and heat lamp that gives off some good heat. The basking area is very important. This will help prevent fungus, shell problems and respiratory infections
Anti-fungal medication is available at most pet stores. The condition can also be treated with Betadine twice a day for 2 weeks. Allowing the solution stay on the carapace at least for 20 minutes before rinsing the turtle and putting it back into the tank.
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Intestinal
Infections
Constipation and diarrhea are common problems caused by a bad turtle diet.
If your turtle eat but nothing comes out she or he might be having a little constipation problem. This could cause further infections leading to death. You should put your turtle in warm water for a 5-hour period every day until the guts are flushed out. Do not feed your slider during the treatment.
Runny or off colored feces are symptoms of diarrhea.
Correct the turtle's diet. Do not give the turtle the same food every day.
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Other
Illnesses
Softening of the shell is caused by lack of calcium and a proper lightning.
Correct the problem by adding more calcium to the slider diet and prolong the duration of the full spectrum light.
Obesity in turtles can cause liver problems.
Respiratory Infections symptoms are: Clogged and runny nostrils, gasping with the mouth open and wheezing, swollen eyes, excessive mucus in the nose and mouth, lack of appetite, and bubbles will form at the nose and mouth. Is treated with antibiotics.
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