Urgent Care :: Unable to Submerge, bubbles, frothing up at the mouth

[the_mushroom]

Hi,

Napoleon hasn't been able to submerge for about two weeks now. I didn't know it was a symptom for RI, this was right after his antibiotic treatment. He was eating again so i was too happy to notice anything.

Here's what i noticed today;

He seem to have a bubble on his nose most of the time when he puts his head in the water, he also occasionally lets out bubbles.

He can't submerge although he tries hard (and that breaks my heart)

Today, i saw some frothing at his mouth, this white pasty thing. He's eating though, not as enthusiastically as he used to, but he's definitely eating well.

I know i need to take him to a vet, but as i've mentioned before, i don't think i can find a vet who's good enough and knows enough about turtles to treat him with this. I know it's RI, and i know he can lose his life because of this.

If any of you guys have had the same problem, please please let me know what treatment was given to your turtle, or if you can contact your local Vet and let me know, that would be great too.

Thanks,
- the mushroom.

[SpotsMama]

I think you are on track about what's wrong. The encouraging thing is he's still eating some, which shows he still has some energy.

Keep him warm and away from drafts, keep his water very clean and avoid stressing him as much as you can. Keep encouraging him to eat.

Someone on here with more experience will correct me if this is wrong - but I believe the standard treatment for RI is a series of Baytril injections. I don't know the dosages. Some people give the injections themselves at home. I can't recall the details of his earlier treatment, but do you think your vet could help set you up to give baytril injections yourself at home?

It's not at all fun either for the person or the turtle but some of the turtles on here have done well with the injections and returned to health.

[marisa]

Looking back, you said that a vet had previously prescribed Betnasol (sp) over the phone for his previous problem. And in some of your later posts, you said he had been improving, but at one point said that his breathing problem "comes and goes." Baytril is often used to treat RIs, but there are other antibiotics as well. It sounds like what you were using before didn't totally kill off his infection (or was not appropriate for what he had/has), and you need to have him seen by a herp vet so he can get some proper treatment.

Please don't say you "don't think you can find a vet that's good enough." Look for one.

The fact that he's still eating is good. How warm are you keeping him (water temp and basking area temp)?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I agree. I think the problem goes a bit deeper here. If money is whats keeping you from taking him to a vet, then keep in mind that some vets can cut you slack and let you work out some kind of payment plan. Call more vets. I dont know where you live..but there are alot of vets out there who treat turtles, were not in the ancient times where vets only see dogs and cats, you know.

[SpotsMama]

Mushroom, since you are in India and you said before that turtlekeeping is illegal where you are, is that what's making it difficult for you to find a vet? Is there a zoo in your community? Maybe someone there could help with your situation.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Oh crap, i didnt notice you lived in india. Hm, a zoo is a good idea - they have to have herp vets if they keep reptiles. You can ask them for help.

[the_mushroom]

were not in the ancient times where vets only see dogs and cats, you know.

Correction, third world countries are still kind of like that. But i'm sure i can find a good enough vet if i look for one. If only i didn't have to waste so much time working

The fact that he's still eating is good. How warm are you keeping him (water temp and basking area temp)?

Well, i asked a couple of people here and the vet that i met and well, the temperatures in Bombay, India (where i live) are warm enough (a little too warm) to keep the turtle warm. My tub is right near the window to help them catch the sun. Yes, i know he could have caught a draft which is the whole reason for this. I'm getting a glass tank with a lit soon (No more drafts, but the sunlight can still go in)

Mushroom, since you are in India and you said before that turtlekeeping is illegal where you are, is that what's making it difficult for you to find a vet? Is there a zoo in your community? Maybe someone there could help with your situation.

The zoo is also goverment owned (and anything that is owned by the government is fucked in this country.

anyway, just fed napoleon, ate everything i gave him and still wanted more. he' still not able to submerge though he tries hard.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

So turtles are illegal to own in your country? As in YOU can get in trouble for having one? Sorry for my comment, didnt mean to piss you off, but i assumed you lived in the states (since most members here are from the states, or canada), next time ill ask before i say anything.

[the_mushroom]

So turtles are illegal to own in your country? As in YOU can get in trouble for having one? Sorry for my comment, didnt mean to piss you off, but i assumed you lived in the states (since most members here are from the states, or canada), next time ill ask before i say anything.

yeah, it's a redundant system. I wasn't offended or pissed off, as long you were trying to help my turtle it's all good.

Still no new vet. Although i'm going to call up my previous vet and ask her if she can give baytril injections.

[SpotsMama]

That would be very good if she could. She just needs to know the dosage and how to mix it up. Some of the people on the forum have given the injections themselves and some have had the vet do it. It usually consists of a series of injections.

[SpotsMama]

mushroom, there's someone else on here from your city that has exactly the same problem as you do. I thought you could work with the same vet. Here's the other person's thread:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... sc&start=0

[kshroff]

Dear Mushrooom, Need ur help desperately... PLZZZZZZZZZZ help...

[industrial_girl_2000]

kshroff:
did you read spotsmama's link:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... sc&start=0

[kshroff]

Hello ppl.. Thanx for al ur help.. Despite all tht i tried, Pebbles dint make it.. By the time I reached hme after wrk yeste, al was over.. Burried him in the garden last nite..

[marisa]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.