Urgent Care

hi,
This is ashutosh from Mumbai, India.
i have a baby RES about 1 inch long, i got it on wednesday 6 days ago, [we are calling him "Toto"] i placed him in 1.5 inches of water in a medium size tub. i am not using any filtration till date.
i've been trying to feed it,with some pellets and he has not eaten since 6 days now. i cleared the water 2 times since the uneaten food started smelling, for 2 days he was trying to adjust to his new environment, and i understand that it requires some time for it.

i am unaware about water temperature, but i presume its slightly colder than normal room temperature of 25 degrees
i haven't used a thermometer to measure the water temp yet, currently i am not using a water heater.

i dont have a UVB light as of yet [planning to buy one soon], but a direct sunlight for 20-25 mins is what i provide him,
the basking platform is easy to climb on, its a medium size black stone picked up from a nearby river while i was on holiday in countryside, few days back. also he has ample space to swim around. he was swimming when we got him.

the problem is he was immobile for quite some time yesterday night, sitting on basking stone in the tub, but after exposing him to sunlight today morning he started moving in water after basking for 15 mins or so. but what i noticed is his eyes were puffy, and was trying to clean it using the front feet. i am worried about him, since he's my first RES [i also have a fish aquarium, with mollies + neon tetra's as well as apple snails kept seperately for breeding]

i have read the Basic Care section on this page and other websites as well.i will be performing to get some instant solutions which i read here. but i am unaware as to where to begin first?

kindly suggest some remedies quick solutions / or vets u know, from your experience via forums.
also if the UVA/UVB dealers here if you have come accross from ur forums in mumbai.

eagerly waiting for responses.
regards,
ashutosh

Hi ashutosh!

I would try to keep the water slightly warmer than your room temperature at 27C/80F. An adjustable/submersible heater would be a good idea. If he is not eating, you need to try harder and with different foods. Live foods like feeder fish, earthworms, meal worms are a start. Canned tuna or boiled chicken meat are other options. Try to apply some cod-liver oil to the eyes if they are closed.

hi steve,
thanks for the prompt reply, will surely work on the same for sure!
also if u could suggest the order in which i should try the treatment, for eating, puffy eyes, stronger immunity..
when asked @ the pet shop about puffy eyes, he suggested to go for teramycin 250, put it in water soak him for 30 mins. and put in fresh water again., i presume this is an antiboitic, but i would like to have a second opinion for the same. what do u suggest.

also any idea where i can get UVA bulbs coz vot i have with me rite now is a 60 watt normal bulb??

thanks for replying..

awaiting response.
ashutosh.

Getting him to eat is most important. However, he probably won't eat if he can't see. UVA can be provided by normal bulbs. You need unfiltered sunlight or a special bulb for UVB.

I'm not familiar with teramycin 250.

Are his eyes closed so he can't see, or are they puffy and he cleans them with his front feet when in the water?
When my RES is in water without a filter, she wipes them with her front feet. This happens when she is not hungry and the food floats in her eyes. If she poops and the dirty water gets in her eyes. She doesn't like opening her eyes in dirty water so she wipes them.
When this happens, I put her in a different bucket while I dump the dirty water and then put her back in clean water. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times in one hour while feeding.
If he does not eat his food after an hour, put him in clean water until you try to feed him again. Then he the food won't smell and the water will bother him less.

thanks steve & penelope for your comments,
but i am sad to announce that 'ToTo' passed away this morning..

i am really sad and sorry for him, i could not save him,
i was planning for a vet's visit today morning.. coz his condition was deteriorating.
he was gasping for breath while basking in the sun in the morning, his mouth was wide open and when he breathe his last.

Swollen + puffy Eyes, not having food [since i got him] made him weak,[today was his 7th day] sadly he could not survive... my fault i should have taken him to the vet when i saw the symptoms a day before yesterday. i blame myself for this.. i should have taken extra precautions, i could not take good care of him...

feeling sad.. but when i'll get a new Turtle pet, i will surely take good care.

thanks guys

I'm sorry to hear it

I'm so very sorry.

Oh my!
Please do not take all the blame on yourself.
He was a baby, and you only had him seven days. He was probably sick when you got him.
You looked for information and advice, and were planning a vet visit. In my opinion, you tried your best.
I am sorry that he passed. Being there when he took his last breath must have been very sad and scary, but you cared enough to be there with him.
I am sure you will be a great turtle parent when you bring another one home.
Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Best wishes to you.

Same thing happened today morning with my pet turtle,,,,,!!!!!

Oh dear. I hope this thread helps!

Urgent Care :: Puffy Eyes, not eaten food since the day i got it

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