Urgent Care :: Eating Problem

[Stardust]

Since yesterday, I've noticed that my little RES hasn't been eating as usual. He only ate 2 Reptomin Baby pellets, while usually, he eats more than 6 a day. And today, he hasn't eaten anything at all. I have tried following the "How to entice eating" guide on this website, but still didn't work. Is it normal for a RES to lose his appetite every once in a while? I don't think he is sick, though. He still swims and basks normally.

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How big is your turtle? 1.6 inches
How long have you had it? 6 months

What is the water temperature? 78F
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? No
How much water is in there? Around 4 inches
Are you using a water conditioner? No
Are you using any filtration? Yes

What is the basking temperature? 86F
Is there a basking light? Yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Rocks
Is there a UVB light? Yes

What have you been trying to feed it? Pellets (Reptomin Baby) and bloodworm
When was the last time your turtle ate? Yesterday afternoon, but only a little bit.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? Tank: 15 gallons
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Not really

[marisa]

If there aren't any other symptoms or abnormal behavior and this just started yesterday, I'd keep an eye out for any other behavioral changes just in case he's coming down with something. But I wouldn't necessarily panic, though. My turtles don't always eat with the same amount of gusto every day (although now that spring is here, their appetites have increased).

Have you tried any other foods?

[Take-One]

My turtles never have been big eaters. (exept one. 5 inches in a couple of months) Like Marisa
said keep looking at him.

[Nettle]

I think that if you're turtle is only 1.6 inches, then six pellets is too much. My turts are 2.5 inches and they get six. The rule of thumb is to feed as many pellets as would fit in their head if it were hollow (excluding neck).

I would also suggest trying to feed them some greens. Bloodworm should be reserved as a once a month treat.

Here's a link to some more info from the main site:
http://redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

[Stardust]

I think that if you're turtle is only 1.6 inches, then six pellets is too much. My turts are 2.5 inches and they get six. The rule of thumb is to feed as many pellets as would fit in their head if it were hollow (excluding neck).

I mean 6 pellets daily; 3 pellets in the morning, 3 others in the afternoon. But 2 days ago he only ate 2 pellets in the afternoon and didn't eat at all in the morning.

Update:
He is still not eating anything today.

[mikee]

If your turtle is not trying to get sick I would suggest the you not feed him for a couple of days. When you feed him you may want to cut back on the food a little. You don't want a fat turtle or pyramiding.

[Nettle]

I meant six pellets a day, too. Most people only feed their turtle once a day.

[SpotsMama]

Give him a couple of days and see if he doesn't bounce back. If he doesn't, or if he starts showing other negative symptoms (lethargy, swollen or irritated eyes, breathing with the mouth open or frequent yawning, diarrhea, etc) then you should go ahead and take him to see the vet.

[Stardust]

Thanks for the replies. It's been 5 days now, and he is still not eating. But he doesn't show any negative symptoms at all. Could this be because of the weather? It's been raining heavily everyday now. I have been keeping the tank temperature stable at around 78F, though, and I also have a basking light turned on during the day.

[Stardust]

Oh, I forgot to tell you, we live in Indonesia. We don't get winters here.

[TheComputerGremlin]

It could be a bit of depression, with the added humidity from rain, that could be affecting him adversely. Have you tried any of the treat-type foods, like pieces of tuna or real fish?

[SpotsMama]

Stardust, is there any gravel in your tank?

Try again to entice him to eat by offering yummy treats like a little tuna, shrimp or boiled chicken. Some turtles are very fond of the white from a hard boiled egg. If you can get ahold of an earthworm that hasn't been exposed to pesticides or fertilizers, you might offer it to him. Some turtles are attracted to things that wiggle.

Is he not eating at all, or just not eating much?

[Stardust]

No, I have don't have gravels in my tank. I have tried offering him goldfish but it still doesn't work. He is not eating at all. I will try giving him a boiled egg and see if it works.

[Stardust]

UPDATE

Today, he's been sleeping at unusual times. Could this be a parasite infection, because I had a lizard once, and my lizard slept all day and didn't eat at all when she had a parasite infection.

By the way, I've mentioned before that I live in Indonesia, and herp vets here (especially in my city) are really rare, if not impossible to find.

[SpotsMama]

A parasite infection more typically causes a turtle to be hungrier than usual trying to make up for the nutrients the parasites have stolen. However, I've noticed a few other cases on here where a turtle with parasites has had a lower appetite than normal.

Parasites are tricky to treat - different kinds of parasites need to be treated in different ways and with different medications. Also, some meds that are safe for other species are toxic to reptiles.

Since intestinal parasites are pretty easy to diagnose (take a stool sample) I would think that a regular vet who is not a herp specialist could do it. If you're suspicious that he's got parasites, why don't you ask a regular vet to check a stool sample.