Urgent Care :: *sigh* Help... maybe drowned?

[turtle_nz]

If George's tank breaking wasn't bad enough! I'd just gone to the glass place to pick up the tank and bring it home, and when I arrived I found George stuck under the water attached to the filter hose (the gaurd had fallen off) with his neck stretched right out, this was @ 10am and I'd left for work @ 7:45, so he may have been there a while.

When I took him out of the water he was still alive and so I put him on his platform and watched him, usually he jumps straight back in the water, but this time he just sat there not moving much, then put his head out, and let it sit down on the rock.

what should I do? He was still alive when I left him, and I'm going back in an hour to check on him.

I've also decreased the suction on the filter, and re attched the gaurd on the hose.

[Kallistos]

Oh no, i'm so sorry to hear that.

Alright, I did a google search and got these results. This comes from the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center's website, so I trust it.

Treatment for drowning involves holding the turtle with its head toward the ground and its back legs elevated, and moving its legs to force water from its lungs. Mouth-to-nose artificial respiration may also be used. If the turtle can be successfully revived, antibiotics and appropriate supportive care are necessary until the turtle has recovered.

Take him to the vet ASAP as it says at the end!

[turtle_nz]

I think I should have done that stuff straight away, so he may be gone by the time I get home again *sigh*

[turtle_nz]

update... i went home, and he was just like normal, so I guess its just a close call...

thank goodness for that!

[Kallistos]

That's absolutely great to hear! Still, closely monitor him and make sure he's feeding well. I'm sure he sat on the basking area and threw it up or something.

[SpotsMama]

Whew! I know you really care for your George. I'm so glad he's doing better. You know, turtles can get stuck underwater all sorts of ways. Spot got his head and front feet stuck in the hole in the bottom of a little toy alligator and nearly drowned. It was scary. I was afraid we'd pull his head off trying to get it out of that hole! If there's anything at all in your tank that a turtle can get stuck in, believe me he will. Sometimes I think it's a miracle that any of them survive to breed!

[industrial_girl_2000]

Treatment for drowning involves holding the turtle with its head toward the ground and its back legs elevated, and moving its legs to force water from its lungs. Mouth-to-nose artificial respiration may also be used. If the turtle can be successfully revived, antibiotics and appropriate supportive care are necessary until the turtle has recovered.

Oh my word! So glad there is a "Treatment" for this sort of situation!!!

Glad to hear George is doing better!!!!

[cam722]

Here is another page on how to deal with turtle drownings.. or possible ones


http://www.turtlecare.net/drown.htm

[SpotsMama]

That's a very good page, Carol. It's very clear. Would this be a good one to include under General Care on the updated site, I wonder?

[industrial_girl_2000]

Thank you for this info! I printed it out & am keeping a copy at home in my care area.