A small grass turtle has a translucent white film over its eye; the eyeball is visible but it cannot open its eye
Expert Answer
A white film over a turtle’s eye is usually white-eye disease, also called eye inflammation. In the early stage, the eye cannot open and a foggy white layer appears around the orbit.
For severe cases, systematic veterinary treatment is recommended; if that is not possible, try home medication. In the early stage, after draining the pus, apply erythromycin or chlortetracycline ointment to the affected area, rubbing in slowly to aid absorption, once daily for several consecutive days.
Keep the sick turtle separate. If the condition is severe (refusing food and eyes cannot open), soak the turtle in nitrofurazone for 30 to 50 minutes and apply systemic antibiotics such as cefuroxime by intramuscular injection at 100 mg per kg of body weight, once daily for a week.
Outside of medicated baths, keep the turtle dry. Preventively, add animal liver to feed before and after hibernation to boost resistance, and disinfect the enclosure daily with 10% salt water or potassium permanganate for at least 30 minutes.