Urgent Care :: turtle can't stop moving head

[crazyturtle]

Hi everyone..

Ok I bought a new baby turtle about a month ago.. anyway this turtle has been hyper from the day I bought him but lately I think something is really wrong with him.... he is extremely hyper now and he can't stop moving his head around even when he is out of the water.. it is like he has turrets or something... I noticed today that he isn't just hyper because he really can't control himself... because his head moves so much that when I put in food he has trouble getting it.. I don't know what is wrong with him.. besides the fact that he can't control his movements he seems healthy swims around eats (when he can get it do to his head)... sometimes he just swims in circles in one spot.. i'm really worried... he is displaying symptoms like a human that can't keep there hands still or head jerking for no reason... in fact that is a better way to describe his problem.. his head jerks around uncontrollably..

please help

[grey goose]

His arms and legs don't jerk, just his head? Sounds neurological to me. When turtles bask they will jerk their heads and "spazz out", but not in the water. The swimming in circles could be a sign of RI. Some babies just have these little defects, but I'm wondering about his environment. Can you describe or post a pic of his tank setup? Could there be something in the tank that could be toxic or not aquarium safe?

[crazyturtle]

the tank setup is fine there are two other turtles in the tank with him... I have a 40 gal tank with a rena xp3, basking light, uvb light.. big rocks.. and stuff like that.. been taking care of turtles for a while now.... don't believe there is anything toxic in the tank for the other turtles have been there for about a year with no problems... his legs don't jerk.. just his head... but i dont' believe he was doing this when I first got him or I just didn't notice..

[TheComputerGremlin]

You said two other turtles have been in there for a year before you got him? Has there been any signs of aggression towards the newcomer? It sounds like possibly some neurological problem has suddenly arisen, and that could have come from a good bite to the neck or even if they have swam him into a tank wall. It also could be from some oxygen deprivation if he got stuck underwater but managed to free himself, so you didn't notice, but something happened. (These are both speculation, thinking about how humans end up with things like this, such as trauma or smothering.)

40 gallons is too small for 3 turtles ...

[crazyturtle]

I guess all that could be possible but they all seem friendly towards each other.. maybe soothing went down one day.. I don't know.. they are still just babies.. the other two turtles are not much bigger then him... .. who knows what happened to him.. i hope iit goes away but I'm not sure..

one of my turtles is bigger then the rest but he has no back legs from birth and can't move very fast.. and has always been friendly.. the other one is also friendly..

I will be getting another tank when I move in about 3 months..

turtles.. they are so cute and are a joy to own but seem o so delicate..

how ever do they survive in the wild..

[crazyturtle]

now that I think about it that turtle did get very excited in the past quite a few times when I came over to the tank and would run right into the glass with his face... maybe he did it to himself...

this sucks...

I'm watching him now and he is just swimming like a mad man all over the tank... it is like he can't stay still... he stops for a second pokes his head out the water looks around then takes off in every direction with speed... ADD anyone... what is going on here...

[TheComputerGremlin]

He might just be a bit overactive. He is a little kid, after all. I wouldn't worry about it unless you notice any problems, like open sores, then I'd take him to a vet. Maybe get a larger rubbermaid container that has colored walls and put him in there for a few days and see if he calms down. Maybe there's just too much activity and he just gets really really excited! Don't give up on the little guy just yet!

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

If you have a water heater in the tank, it may have sprung a leak and might be shocking him, take it out and see if there is any difference.

[marisa]

How is the turtle doing?

[Bascomb]

crazy t. -- This a shot in the dark, but try this. Don't feed your turtle on day one. The next day don't feed him again and take him out and drydock him in a warm place for 8 or 10 hours. Resume feeding on third say. See how that works and let us know. b.

[SpotsMama]

Bascomb, I don't understand the reason for this advice. Withholding food and, especially, dry docking is stressful for a turtle. Sometimes dry docking is absolutely essential but it shouldn't be done without a good reason. Do you have a theory as to what's going on where dry docking would be an appropriate treatment?

[Bascomb]

Spot mod ---Like I said, it is a shot in the dark. My reasoning is the caloric intake and a little change up in his metabolism my get him back on track. In my dealing with dry docking I put them in a card board box with a light and towel at one end. Usually they burrow under the towel and dry off good without much stress. If you have other ideas on how to stop the head shaking I would love to hear it. This little guy may be beyond helping and that is the only thing that I could come up with. It certainly won't hurt him. b.