Urgent Care :: adopted neglected baby res

[mono]

HI I'm new.

So my sis is giving me her baby turtle, just does not have the time or equipment to take proper care or it.

I currently have a baby res in a 20L. The turtles are about the same size. The adopted one is currently in a small clear container that the turtle came in, has a lid and all. His shell had some white on it and is soft, also some small red. I put some vitashell on him, He seems very weak. He does not eat either, tried some pellets and krill but nothing. He does not move, I put him on a surface I made out lego's to bask under the light, he does nothing, put him in the water, he does nothing. Just sits there only movement is him picking up his head for air. and idea how to get him to eat?

Thanks in advance

[grey goose]

It sounds like he may be seriously ill. I would get him to a vet ASAP.....

[missibsu]

I would agree that your turtle sounds very sick. The sooner he is seen and treated by a herp vet, the more likely he is to survive. Do you have filtration, proper lighting, and a water heater?

Also, if you have put the two turtles together, you need to separate them and do a complete cleaning. You don't want to infect your healthy turtle.

Vitashell is not an effective product in the long run. It clogs the pores and doesn't allow the shell to breath. It could cause more harm than good.

[mono]

yes, my other turtle is healthy as can be. I did not put them together for that reason. I do have all the proper equipment.....filter, uvb light, etc.

Any ballpark idea about how much it would cost to see a vet?

[missibsu]

Best thing to do after you locate a herp vet is to call and ask. Check the cost of the visit, plus the cost of medications that might be given.

[grey goose]

Depends on where you live, the vet, etc. The most expensive part is the first visit. Bozo went in for RI, and the bill was $125. Thats first visit, exam, x-rays, meds. After that, I've brought him in for other things that have cost as low as $15. bucks....I even had one visit that turned out to be nothing, and she didnt charge me at all! When I got my three new guys: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5307 I held my breath and took them in just for a check-up, and it cost only $60 bucks, $20 bucks a turtle. Not bad if you ask me....And now they are in the "system" so to speak, so any visits should not be so bad. The education you will get from herp vets is definatly worth it. It's also why they call it "husbandry". Once you take them in, (and I've never paid for a turt) you're sorta married to 'em. Through thick and thin. You are just going thru the thin part right now. But if the poor guy pulls thru, trust me, there is no greater feeling in the world knowing that you saved him. Good luck.

[flutterby]

I'm glad to see you here Mono. You'll get some good advise here.