Urgent Care

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:24 am **Help plssss**

Hello everyone,

I have had since 8 years 2 RES, 2 males .They lived happily together.They were a gift from my friend. Here in Albania were I live, there are no Vets and a few people know how to take care of RES. I maintained them on a poor tank , but they were fed good and they lived ok . Two weeks ago my younger RES died. I don't know why. He wasn't very active and he didn't eat a loot for years. Maybe the water wasn't clean , because i didn't had filters. I was and still am devastated because I know it was my fault. Now my other RES acts like he is crazy. I found a new tank, i bought filters , i bought a submersible heater , i haven't still create a basking area , but he always climbs on the sides and wants to escape. I have let him to get out of the tank and explore but he isn't happy. I don't know what to do. I am very sad...Before at this period they only hibernated but now he acts like he is very stressful and sad. I want to take him to a Vet but here no one knows anything, they only want to take money from you. I went to the place when my friend bought it , but they don't know anything. I want to adopt him because i don't know how to take care of him properly.

I want to empathize that here in tirana , we don't have Vets for RES, good shops to buy things for the proper habitat for the RES. I know that You will judge me , but please help me...

Thank you,

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:47 pm **Re: Help plssss**

How big is the turtle? What else is in your tank? Some RES can be very aggressive, towards other turtles, things in their tank, etc. Is he still eating?

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:48 am **Re: Help plssss**

the turtle is 6.3 inch. i tried to put another turtle but he was aggressive so i took her away...he is still not eating...he climbs on the edges of the tank and wants to get out , all the time...when i walk on the room he tries to do that...only few hours he sleeps...

Here is a photo of the 2 turtles :

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 7314_n.jpg

the one in the right is him (Piti)...the other one is the late turtle (liti) :'(

Thank You...

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:08 am **Re: Help plssss**

Hello Ola, I would recommend that at the very minimum you provide a warm and dry place for the turtle. It looks like he's living in some kind of plastic container on the floor, so a quick fix would simply be a small plastic container with a piece of plastic as a ramp so the turtle can climb up and be dry.

Tirana's in Albania right? So it should be quite cold now. Get a cheap and simple lamp with a clamp so you can fix it on top of the container. And fix a halogen bulb with a minimum of 50 watts so the turtle can keep warm. These things should be quite easy to get in your local repair shop or light store.

After that, the other important stuff like UVB lights, proper aquarium etc. you should be getting of course. Details are on this site. Exoterra is a reliable brand name that has a worldwide presence, so I would try to find their brand of products first.

Your turtle looks OK, especially the color, much better than many ill-treated one I've seen! So don't worry, RES are tough, take it one step at a time.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:51 pm **Re: Help plssss**

I am really sad..

Thank You guys...Please give my advices what to do...

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:24 pm **Re: Help plssss**

Looks like you have too way too little water in that tank and he does not feel safe. The tank also looks a bit small. Put more water in the tank create a basking box above the tank.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:31 pm **Re: Help plssss**

I did put more water before but he was afraid...i dont know how to create a basking box

..here where I live , there were only fish tanks very large . he has lived before in a smaller tank and was happy. he always wants to climb

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:59 pm **Re: Help plssss**

You've had him for 8 years? His shell indicates irregular growth, his eyes look a little swollen and there are several areas of pinkish skin. What have you been feeding him, and how much?

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:11 pm **Re: Help plssss**

yes i ve had him for 8 years. Ive been feeding with shrimps ...i had bought them on the store...i have feed him with bacon , vegetables,,,ects... right now i see in his left eye, he has developed a layer till the half of the eye...i haven't taken care of him right i know...but what can i do now ? maybe he is sick ...he can't talk like humans do...he can't bark like dogs...maybe his way of trying to escape is suggesting me smth..maybe he is sick. i really don't have a clue.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:48 am **Re: Help plssss**

His diet needs an overhaul like his tank. The content on the main site has a brake down of the different aspects of care.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:38 pm **Re: Help plssss**

Mine try to climb and splash like crazy anytime there is a change or whenever I do anything to the tank.

Following this thread to see how your turtle is doing.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:47 pm **Re: Help plssss**

Ok, we need to know the following before we can help:

How big is your tank? Measure it from side to side, front to back, and top to bottom - we need those 3 measurements.

Be sure you have AT LEAST the following (this is NOT an option):

1. Half the tank filled with water (just half).
2. A basking site - a rock or piece of wood, or you can buy it at the pet store. This is where he needs to rest from the water and bask under lamps.
3. TWO lamps - one for heat, and one for a UVB bulb. The Heat lamp should measure in the low 90s °F.
4. A water heater, keeping the water in the mid-80s °F
5. A filter (two if you can - we use two and it's awesome!)

Your turtle is going to die if you don't get those things mentioned above - he needs the right water temperature and a place to bask to make his shell healthy. If he doesn't get that, he's going to die of metabolic bone disease, or a respiratory infection. If you don't have a vet around, then you need to do your absolute best to keep him healthy on your own.

Good luck and please, report back!!

Urgent Care :: Help plssss

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