Urgent Care :: Slightly lopsided?

[color-me-envious]

My RES baby, Enbi, seems to float and swim somewhat lopsided. He eats well, and is very active, he just doesn't seem to have balance buoyancy. He tends to lean to the left, but then, I've also seen him lean to the right as well, and I'm wondering if maybe he's just uncoordinated; I know what a risk RIs are and I'm going to be mad at myself if he has one two days into my ownership.

He doesn't seem to like diving underwater much, either; usually when I check on him he's perched on a washcloth in his tank, on a part that floats a bit above the water, almost entirely dry, just sitting there with his neck extended. It looks a bit like he's basking; he has a makeshift basking platform but he doesn't like using it, he'd rather sit on the rag which more or less behaves like an aquatic plant. He doesn't have a heat lamp or water heater yet but I keep him in the window with sunlight and try to keep his water warm while I work on getting him set up. Is there something wrong with him? Should I be worried? I can't afford to take him to the vet until Tuesday...

He's about 1-1/4 inch, there is no basking light, he's in a pretty quiet area of the house, he's in a window with direct sunlight, he has a basking platform but doesn't use it, I'm unsure of the water temperature but I add warm water to it whenever it seems cold (I take him out first and dry dock him while I add the water), he has a good appetite, and the general ambient temperature of the house is 80-90 (I'm currently suffering my butt off for him until I can get him properly heated). He does swim against the glass often and vigorously. He's in about six inches of water currently, which in his tank is roughly five gallons; I'm reluctant to put him in deeper water ATM because I'm paranoid that he'll drown.

[steve]

It's possible he hasn't gained enough weight just yet, see how he does in a few days. Obviously watch out for other symptoms.

Do be very careful about putting his tank in direct sunlight, as that can greatly increase the temps of a small tank.

[color-me-envious]

I watch the tank like a hawk, and I'll definitely be mindful. Currently I'm not worried, it's been fairly cloudy in the area this weekend, and his tank water tends to get uncomfortably cold (I do my best to combat it but it's difficult without a submersible heater), so I don't think a slight increase would do any harm; might even do some good, but I'll be mindful about it getting too warm for him.

[marisa]

Why don't you get a submersible heater?

[color-me-envious]

I have purchased a submersible heater. But I live alone in the boonies with no transportation and so I had to purchase it online and it will not arrive until Wednesday. I should have his whole habitat Wednesday.

The current set up is only temporary; I'm making due with what I have until all his provisions arrive.

[JohnA]

Ok this is a significant sign of a respiratory illness. Here's what you need
To do. First of all the swimming sideways type lopsided that your describing meaning he's probably most definitely got a chest infection. This can be easy or very difficult. I've seen turtles get healthy and better in just a few days. I've also seen them die. So advice you to take this very serious. Here's what to look for.

SYMPTOMS:
.swimming sideways
.runny nose
.bubbly nose.
.breathing heavy
.gasping while breathing
.weezing
.sneezing to much

Keep in my mind that he doesn't have to have all the symptoms to be sick. Even 1 out of all the symptoms is very serious and you need to take immediate action right away. Here's what you should do.

Things to do before you go to a vet doctor....

Only feed him healthy high enriched vitamin protein pellets.
Very most importantly you must increases to temperature in the water not the basking area to about 80-85 F degrees. The first time you change and increase the water temperature you must check the temp every two hours to make sure it's at the right temp. Keep the temp at this high level for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure to remember the first day you check the temp every two hours. If the water is to cold. Than add hot water and take the temp. If the water is to hot. Than add cool water and check the temp. In 3 to 4 days of doing this every day. Check to see if he still has any of the symptoms above. If he does than he most definitely is only going to get better with antibiotics. That means you must take him to the vet or I'm afraid he could die. You can't be irresponsible and say well I hope if I wait this out without trying the water temperature advice I gave you that he is just automatically going to get better. Please take my advice. Let us know if it works in a few days than we can take it from there....



Thank you

[color-me-envious]

I don't have a thermometer that'll register below 90 right now. I'm having to improvise a lot of things right now; I'm in a delicate position in terms of procuring supplies; I have to buy online which can take up to five days for delivery.

I already try to keep his water very warm. I know that doesn't suffice but it's the best I can do at this point in time to gauge it by hand and add a kettle of hot water when it feels cold. He's already on high protein pellets made just for hatchlings, and it seems like he's getting less lopsided; Steve may be right, he may just have been too small to really maintain a perfect buoyancy. I'm keeping an eye on him still but I'm beginning to think he was just uncoordinated; he had a tendency to only paddle with one side of his body which he has since mostly overcome. I'm not sure what else I can do based on the equipment I have on hand.

If he seems at all like he's getting worse, we're going straight to the vet, I assure you that.