redearslider.com

How big is your turtle? 1 inch
How long have you had it? 4 weeks

What is the water temperature? 81
Are you using a water heater? no
How much water is in there? 5 inches
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 88 degrees
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? Zilla bridge
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? tuna, chicken, baby food w/ syringe, pellets, krill, shrimp, bloodworms, lettuce, banana (his favorite) NO LUCK
When was the last time your turtle ate? 3.5 days ago

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 20 gal
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? yes

I took Squirt to the vet for RI and came home with Amikicin injections to give him for the last two weeks. He got better, stopped eating, got better and has again stopped eating. I am dropping him off at the vet tomorrow where he will wait to see a herp doctor. I have been attempting to force feed him veal baby food per docs orders but he won't really open his mouth and the medicine dropper is so big compared to his face. I can't be sure he got anything into his belly. He's definitely starving, he feels lighter, his eyelids are transparent and his shell by his tail is much softer than it used to be. I feel so terrible for him and I'm worried the vet will recommend euthanasia. I wanted to update everyone and thank you all for being so helpful. And I'll let you know what the doc says.

aw I am so sorry. I realy hope Squirt pulls through, your being a very good owner taking him to a vet, with a vet on your side..he will have a better chance at making a full recovery. Euthanasia is up to you, though I have a strong feeling he'll pull through. Maybe the vet can tube feed him or something tommorow? Does the water stay at a constant 81 degrees? If it fluctuates too much I would get a water heater, he doesnt need anymore stress on him..poor thing.

Good luck, you guys will be in my thoughts.

I'm sorry to hear he's not gotten better yet. When I got my antibiotics for RI it was for 3 weeks.....don't know if that would make a difference or not?
Did the vet check for parasites at all before?

You're doing all you can for the little guy, giving him the best chance he's got.

Antibiotics can suppress appetite. Is he still on the Amikacin?

I'm really sorry to hear about little Squirt being so sick. Poor little guy. But he's very lucky to have someone like you trying so hard to nurse him back to health. It must be very difficult to see such a tiny little guy go through so much. Hopefully the herp vet will be able to treat him with something that will help boost his strength and give him a better shot at recovering.

I also remember someone letting their sick turtle soak in some Pedialyte to help them absorb some of the electrolytes from the solution to help them get some of their strength back. I don't think it would hurt at all if you were able to try that. Turtles do absorb some oxygen from the water through their tail area and I know other terrestrial reptiles are able to absorb water through their cloaca and skin as well, so it may help.

Did he see a herp vet the first time (is the herp vet the one who prescribed the Amikacin?

He should be well hydrated while he's taking this drug.

I just picked him up and the pneumonia is gone. I guess he's pretty young because they diagnosed him with an umbilical infection and they say he could pull through but it doesn't look so good. They tube fed him today and sent me home with another two weeks of Amikacin and ten days of calcium gluconate. I take him back in three days for another tube feeding. I bought minnows hoping they may get him interested in eating.

His water is always 81-82 degrees since I moved him away from the air vent. I think the air vent made him sick in the first place with pneumonia but I don't know how he developed the umbilical infection. I just hope he still has some fight in him to get well. I'm attached, he's adorable what can I say. I'll be getting some Pedialyte for him tonight and let him soak for a while. Thanks everyone.

glad you got a diagnosis! that's the best step towards recovery. i hope he pulls thru. he looks so cute and tiny in your avatar

Cut the Pedialyte to half strength with water and make sure it isn't too cold. Soaking in such a solution has helped some turtles in the past.

I'm sorry Squirt is having such a hard time. He must be a fighter, though, to be fighting it so long. Good luck to the both of you. I'll be thinking of you and pulling for you.

Make sure you keep us posted! I'm really hoping that Squirt pulls through. You're doing everything you can for him and I congratulate you for being a great turtle owner.

It's very tough even for Vets to treat a baby RES. We're all hoping he'll be OK.......

Poor Squirt, it sounds like he's fighting pretty hard though. I remember how nerve-racking it was when Leo was sick as a hatchling, it's scary when things are so touch and go, you're doing such a great job of getting Squirt the best care he can get. I'll keep him in my thoughts!

Squirt saw the vet yesterday and received another tube feeding but he didn't perk up after eating like he did three days ago. The last time he moved was at four o'clock this morning. My poor little turtle is gone and I'll miss him. Thanks to everyone here for all the help you gave us. It's because of all the advice I read here and learned from everyone that he had any chance at all and lived the good life for a while.

What sad news! I'm so sorry to hear that little Squirt didn't make it, you fought so hard for him. I hope it's comforting to know what a good life you gave him, he was a lucky guy.

I'm really sorry to hear about Squirt. I feel so sad for you. You really tried everything possible to get him help.