Urgent Care :: Please help asap res is very sick

[carolyn17603]

We have a res that is about the size of a half dollar. I have one of the long tube lights uva/uvb. I thought that was all I really needed. Also I did not have a water heater. I noticed the other day the room was very cold and he was barely moving but was still alive. We immediately went out and got a water heater and a heat light bulb(the red one). The water was at 60 degrees which I did not realize it would ever get that cold. Now the water is mid 70’s. I have him out of the water on a rock with the light above him. I went up a few hours later to check on him and he was floating upside down. I pulled him out of the water and put him back on the rock. I thought he was dead but he moved very little. As of now he has been on his rock under the heat light for over 24 hours. At this point I can not tell if he is dead or very deep in hibernation. There was times I thought he was dead to find out he was still alive. If it is dead my niece wants to barry him but I don’t want to do that in case he is still alive. I honestly can not tell. Is there any way to tell? I know it sounds so stupid and im sorry but I just don’t know and this is our first turtle. I don’t know if it matters but we have had him since may. Thanks in advance.

[steve]

If he has passed, his eyes would sink in and his limbs would stiffen. I'm sorry that you and your family are going through this

[jozzep]

So sorry,
If he's stiff (rigor mortis) he's gone.

[carolyn17603]

thanks guys I appreciate it. I believe that is what he looks like but I will have my dad check to be sure. Also eventually my niece wants to get another but I know I need to sanitize everything but how do I do that? Thanks guys for all your help it is greatly appreciated. I found my new favorite forum for turtles and I will come here from now on:)

[jessiebuck]

So sorry about your loss.

Feel better soon.

[steve]

To sanitize, you can just just throughly clean with water and vinegar. Be sure to replace filter media. If you want to go a step further and disinfect, you can dilute bleach (about 2oz per gallon of water), rinse again and let it dry out for a couple of days.

[carolyn17603]

thank you. Now i plan on disinfecting all the rocks and such and syphoning as much water out as i can. But the problem is is that its a 30 gallon tank which is very heavy is it ok to leave minimal water in there? Like what I cant syphon out? or do I need to sanitize the whole tank? Im just trying to figure out the simplest way to do it since the tank is so heavy. I don't wanna risk carrying it and dropping it. We plan on barrying the turtle tonight. It was to dark to do it last night.

[steve]

Yes, please make sure the tank is empty of water and any decoration or accessory before moving it.

If you can't siphon everything out, then just rinse everything out a few times... don't use bleach. You should also invest in a kit, like the "Python" that drains and refills the tank (you can also buy off the shelf parts to make your own).

[carolyn17603]

ok great now is it ok to use bleach and water mixture on the rocks, fake plants etc.?

[steve]

Yes, just take it out of the tank and rinse it and let it dry. I would skip the bleach altogether in this case.

[carolyn17603]

Ok thanks I really appreciate all your help. This was our first turtle so I am new to all of this so I appreciate your understanding. So just hot water is fine then?

[steve]

Warm, not hot water. A 30 gallon doesn't have very thick glass or thick applications of silicone.