Urgent Care :: Help I think my baby res is very sick !!!

[toad1990]

Hi there I bought a baby res about a month ago it is about 2.5 inch wide, it was eating all the time when I got it and being very active. I have noticed that it has stopped eating and opens it's mouth as if it is grasping for air.but it does not always do it like one day it will be completely fine still won't eat so really there is something wrong but another day it will open it's mouth often or roughly every ten minutes. I have done some research and have discovered that I think it may have a respiratory infection. Now I do not have a reptile vet close to me at all. Is there anything that I can do to help it, and should I be concerned?

[steve]

What's the water temperature? What have you been feeding him? Can you answer some of the questions in the link in my signature?

[toad1990]

The water temp is 70F-80F some days its hotter then others. i am feeding it pellets that i got from the pet store, and dried shrimp.
How big is your turtle? 2inch
How long have you had it? 1 month

What is the water temperature? 70F
Did you use a thermometer?Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? its a 10 gallon filled half full
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? warm but maybe not warm enough
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? it is a outdoor rock, i have boiled it
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? pellets and dried shrimp
When was the last time your turtle ate? 3-4 days

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10 gallon
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? none that arent related to (RI)

[steve]

You need to get the water temp to be a consistent 80F and a heater should not have a problem with that little water. How is the water quality? Can you try to some live prey or some of the items listed here: http://redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

[marisa]

What kind of water heater are your using that causes the water temp to fluctuate in a 10-degree range? A 50-watt submersible heater should be able to keep the temp stable. I'd get a new/better one and set it to 82F since your RES is ill. As for the basking temp, what do you mean when you say it's "warm"? It should be about 10 degrees warmer than the water temp, and I'd have it at 90 -91F. You need to check it with a thermometer...The added warmth will help him fight the infection, assuming he has one.

His diet is not a very balanced one.

[toad1990]

thanks very much crush is back to his normal self.