Urgent Care :: I think my turtle has RI... Can't afford vet right now?

[Mogrove42]

It pains me to have my first post on the forum be a problem, but I don't know where else to turn. We got our two RES's at the same time, and they both flourished right away. (we've had them for about 6 months now.) Recently, we have noticed that one has been growing and being very active, and the other is lethargic, and has not eaten in almost a week. Jonas (the one in question) is displaying all the symptoms of an RI (slight mucus, spends most of his time basking, swims a little crooked, not eating, yawning.) The reason I post is that due to circumstances beyond my control, we really cannot afford a vet visit right now. I'm assuming the worst as far as cost is concerned, and due to him not eating, I'm assuming the worst in general. I have raised the temp in the tank to 82, we have a 60 gallon tank with plenty of places for them to get out of the water and bask... my question is; are there any over the counter antibiotics we can get, or and home remedies we can try? We will be able to afford a vet visit next week, but I fear that may be too late. We have tried multiple different foods (tuna, shrimp, krill, pellets, dandelion, among others.) Is there anything I can do until we can get him to the vet? I feel quite helpless... Thank you in advance for your help.

[jenaero]

I'm not familiar enough with any over the counter solutions so I'll leave that to someone else.

Its sounds like you're doing well so far. Some vets will work out a payment plan if you can't come up with the whole amount right away. If you haven't already, call the vet let them know this is urgent and you'll have money next week and see if they'll work something out for you.

Good luck.

[Mogrove42]

Thank you for your quick response... I appreciate it. I will call them and ask.

[Mogrove42]

I called the vet... it's gonna be about 80 dollars, but we pulled some strings so we're taking him in today! I'm a little relieved... I just hope he makes it! That's my little buddy! Thanks again!

[jenaero]

Great! Keep us posted. Crossing my fingers for you.

[jozzep]

A turtle with an upper respiratory infection will usually have bubbles coming from his/her nose, be listless, not eat, and make strange lung noises. While common, this is also VERY deadly.
Treatment is 10 days of injections of Baytril (enrofloxacin) liquid into the front legs. To do this, you must consult a vet to get the antibiotic and the proper dosage. Do not guess on the dose. To do an injection, you need two people. One person uses their left hand to hold the turtle and their right hand to put a think piece of cardboard between the turtle's head and leg being shot.
They tilt the turtle so it is at a 45 degree angle with its head down.
Usually, the turtle will then stick its head out. The other person grabs the leg in question when it comes out, forcibly as the turtle will pull back hard. The turtle will also bite, hence the cardboard shield. The needle is inserted between the little plates on the leg, pulled out slightly once in to be sure there is no blood, and then the proper dosage is injected into the leg.

I had to do this with my stinkpot turtle.....I found the meds from a friend that had leftovers and saved his life.

[marisa]

If you haven't done so, it would be good to separate the sick one from the other one.

[Mogrove42]

I took Jonas to the vet yesterday, and they injected him with the first dose. Also I found that the heater I had was only getting to about 79 degrees, so I purchased another one that has the water up around 85. They actually gave us a plastic syringe to give him (orally) for the next week. He seems to be perkier today and not quite so "sad panda" as my gf puts it lol... I have Lucy (my other RES) in the main tank and Jonas is in my feeder tank (a 20 gallon starter tank) so they are separated. Thank god they gave us oral meds as I am a bit squeamish around needles. I'll keep everyone posted as far as what happens!

[jozzep]

I found that the heater I had was only getting to about 79 degrees, so I purchased another one that has the water up around 85.

You should keep the water at 85 only for the time he is sick.....then lower it back to 76.

[Mogrove42]

He really seems to fight the meds... we dosed him yesterday for the first time and he took it... and then started dunking his head in the water repeatedly... But at least he did eat a pellet and a mini-shrimp last night and today, which is more than he ate the whole week. Things are looking up!

[Mogrove42]

Jonas died tonight. We found him floating near the filter. He has been buried in a nice place where the sun shines. Thank everyone for your help.

[tammi]

So sorry. At least you did what you could.

[Mogrove42]

Now I have to decide if we get another one... I made a poll... Please vote if you have the time. Thank you everyone for your kind words and support... We're planting flowers on his grave and putting some river rocks there to mark the spot. I just hope the neighborhood kids leave it alone.

[marisa]

Very sorry to hear you lost him.