Urgent Care :: Sudden Death

[chaktirose]

Hello ~

This is my first time posting and I am sorry that it is under such sad circumstances. I have... had three young (about a year old) RES's that I rescued from an acuaintance who was keeping them in a 10gl. tank that was completely black. I have loved them and watched them blossom. I updraged from a 55 to a 135 recently and I let the tank cycle for a week. The three turtles De Ja Vu have loved it. They are in their with a couple feeder fish and a good sized Pleco. Everything seemed fine, they were all eating and being playful and swimming strong. Then about two days ago De, the most loving and affectionate of the three started acting a little lethargic. I was concerned, but having these guys be my first experiences, thought that I would just keep a better eye on him and see if I notice anything wierd before thinking of going to a vet. Aside from the tiredness that De showed he seemed fine. No discharge, no smell, he still ate, if I put my hand in there he still swam and begged for food, he just wasn't as playful if my hand wasn't in the tank.

Then today I walked over to the tank and saw that he was on the bottom of the tank and decided to try to play with him. I put my hand in there and got no reaction so I reached all the way down to touch him and he didn't move. I finally picked him up and he was limp. I set him on his basking land. and did the best inspection I could through the tears. Nothing, there was nothing visibally wrong with him and the other two and the Pleco are acting just fine. I am doing a water change just because but I checked all the levels and everything is fine regarding that. I just don't understand, I am soo heartbroken and terrified for my other two. I don't understand what I could have done to prevent this. He was my baby, the one I bonded with most, then one I played with and payed the most attention to, he was the first to eat from my hands and the only one who would come and rest in my palm and let me pet him.

I guess I wrote today for a combination of reasons. I wanted to talk and release my sadness about my friend De and I also really want to know if anyone has heard or experienced anything like this before. Did I do something? What should I do for Ja and Vu so that this doesn't happen.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

with sadness,

Ashlie

How big is your turtle? Was about 2 in in width 3-4 in length
How long have you had it? little less than a year

What is the water temperature? 81 degrees
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 3/4 of the way on a 135 gallon tank
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes, a waterfall and a canister

What is the basking temperature? not sure
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? yes
When was the last time your turtle ate? Yesterday

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 135 gallon tank
Is the tank near a window? not really close to the sliding glass door
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? not really

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? read above

[cam722]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss... such a heart breaking tale. It seems as if you were doing everything right.. I'm wondering if it wasn't something that had started before you got them and some damage was done internally from his poor living conditions. I'd do what you said you did, and clean out the tank just to be on the safe side. Maybe someone else will be able to shed more light on it.

[missibsu]

I too am sorry for your loss. Just a thought that you might want to schedule an appointment with your vet for the other two. Just a general check up to make sure everything looks ok for them. Glad to hear you are cleaning the tank.

[sonyj]

Sorry for your loss. As Carol said, it was probably something that his poor living conditions contributed to before you got him. Continue taking care of the other little ones with the good care that you seem to be giving them.

[marisa]

I'm very sorry to hear the news and that your first post had to be under such sad circumstances.

How long had you had them? Hatchlings have a high mortality rate, and sometimes in spite of our best efforts, they don't make it. This is particularly true if the conditions they were living in were not the best. De was the smallest of the three (you said he was your baby)? Perhaps he was not strong enough to withstand the conditions he had been living in. Turtles can be ill and sometimes show virtually not symptoms...You handn't noticed anything unusual at all?

From what you wrote, it sounds like you've got a good set-up for them. Just curious, but you mentioned De seemed tired...Going from a 55 gallon to a 135 gallon is a pretty big jump. Are there places in addition to the basking area for turtles to rest, especially if the water level is higher?

Aside from cleaning the tank and changing the water, I don't think there's much else you can do except keep an eye on the others for any usual behavior/symptoms. A herp vet check-up on them would be good as a precaution. Again, I'm really sorry for your loss.