Urgent Care :: Baby just sit's around all day?

[ss18]

So we have 3 we got 2 weeks ago. 2 of them are hyper and swim around all day and stuff, the 3rd seems very lathargic and will barely swim, and just likes to sit on the dock. It will go in the water for only a few minutes at a time and not very often. It's eye's seem a little puffy and don't seem to open all the way, so i'm wonder if that's why it's being like that?

Any ideas?

[missibsu]

Could be a few things. First off, I don't remember what your set up is like. What are the water and basking temps? Also, if the others are acting ok, I would remove the one who isn't acting well and place him in his own tank. No sense is spreading what he may have. If it's not already, I'd raise the tank water to about 80-82 degrees and schedule and appt with your herp vet.

[marisa]

Since you said you got them off the side a road (from some sort of vendor?), the one turtle sounds like he could be ill. You mentioned that you would be getting a 55-gallon tank this weekend. Keep the one that may be ill in the 10-gallon with temps a somewhat higher than the other tank (water about 82F, basking area about 91-92F). Are the lids crusted at all or just puffy? If a Vit A deficiency is involved, putting a little plain cod liver oil on the eyelids with a q-tip 1-2X a day for a few days should help.

Will the turtle eat at all? If so, what are you feeding him?

[ss18]

They are just puffy right now. I went to the Reptile store today and picked up some stuff for puffy Turtle eyes, the guy said it is pretty common when they are really from dirty water. I'm gettign a new filter tomorrow from a buddy, the water has been a bit cloudy so the guy said a new filter will help also.

Also ALL of there Canister Filters are 50% off right now, so i'm going to go back durring the week when i get paid and pick one up for the new Tank

[marisa]

Make sure the temps (water and basking area) are in the proper range and that there's correct lighting to bask under (a UVB light as well as a heat light).

Does the turtle with the puffy eyes eat?

[ss18]

i just bought another thermomether and a new water heater too (Visi-Therm Stealth).

And yeah, the turtle does go into the water and eat, but seems to like staying out of the water a lot more then being in it.

[marisa]

What are the temps of the water and basking area?

[ss18]

the water is been between 80 & 82 and i just raised the water line last night about 3 inches and when i just measure the basking area it was 94, so i'm not sure if that is to hot? if so i may have to get a less watt bulb

[marisa]

For my turtles, this would be a bit too warm (they like high 80s to around 90F). If your one turtle is not well, however, a bit warmer, like 90-92F, would be OK. The bit of extra warmth would boost the immune system and help fight any infection. I'd try to lower the temp just a bit if it's 94F. Can you position the bulb just a bit farther away to lower the temp a few degrees?

For healthy hatchlings, a water temp of about 78F would be good. However, if the one turtle is not well, a bit warmer as was mentioned above, would be good. It's difficult to get the best temps for all of them if one is not well (and would benefit from added warmth) and the other two appear to be OK if they're all in the same tank.

[ss18]

I'm letting the lamp cool so i can change the wattage of the bulb right now.

And yeah, the other 2 seem perfectly fine and happy swiming all over the place.

Thanks for the help

[ss18]

well, MAYBE good news. Within 10 minutes of putting the eye drops in its eyes they seemed to be open a little more and now she's running around a little bit (have to keep her out of the tank for 20 minutes).

[ss18]

wow, what a difference a day makes. Last night and today the turtle has actually been swiming. It goes in the water and swims around a little bit at a time. Hope after a week or so of the drops like the bottle say's (s)he is back to normal.

[steve]

What are the drops you are using?

[ss18]

THey are called "Repti Turtle Eye Drops" and the front say's "Opens and Cleans inflamed Turtle Eyes". It's made by ZooMed, and also say's can be used as a prevetitive for eye diseases cayse by Vitamin A deficiency.

It seems to be helping and the the turtle seems to be a little more active

[marisa]

Yes, these drops are supposed to be good. I just suggested on another post that someone else try them. They contain some Vit. A in them.

Glad to hear your turtle is doing better.