Urgent Care :: My slider not eating or moving to much, help.

[Betty]

I have one slider already, Myrtle, and another was giving to me just two weeks after I got mine. The person that gave me this other one, I call her Sophie, did not have the set up he needed for her. All he had was a bowl with water and a rock. Well I have had her for two days she is not eating and all she does is lay on the basking ramp I have to physically put her in the water to get her wet. Then she only floats for a while, she will finally start to swim and then only to go back to the ramp. I think she may have a little white dot on the tip of mouth, I have yet to see her open it. Please help!!!!

[JessicaTS]

The little white dot on the top of her mouth may just be a eggtooth. She's a tiny girl huh?
Young turtles must do alot of basking since their shell is still very soft and squishy (but don't try to see if it is)
Not eating at first is normal for all turtles. Keep trying to feed her with strong odor foods such as boiled chicken, bloodworms, and some pellets. Try a leaf of romaine or red leaf.
Unless her eye is a bit foggy and her swimming is tipped, she should be fine.
Keep the tempterature of the water about 80 degrees and basking 85-90

How big is your other turtle and whats the size of the tank?

[steve]

How long did the other person have her? You need to get her to eat if she did not eat before.

[marisa]

How big is the new turtle? If the turtle was newly hatched and still has its egg tooth (which will fall off by itself), it will receive nourishment for the first few weeks from the egg sac, which is absorbed into the body.

What are the temps of the water and basking area?

[Betty]

I would say she is no bigger than 2". The person that gave her to me says he had her for a week and I've had her for a week. She is now sleeping in the water at night next to Myrtle. Still spends most of the day on the ramp and will only go in the water if I put her in. She seems pretty strong when I put her in the water, that is when she finally wakes up and starts swimming.

Do you think I am doing right by putting her in the water during the day. I get scared that she is going to toast under the lamp all day. The water stays between 76 and 80. I've tried tempting her with Tuna (in water) nothing yet.

[marisa]

So the turtle was new to the previous owner and now new to you? Part of the problem could be that the turtle is adjusting to new environments (it can take a little time for them to do this).

Does the turtle appear healthy? Are the eyes clear and is the turtle alert? Does the shell appear healthy?

What is the temp of the water and the basking area? If the basking area temp is high 80s to 90F, I don't think s/he'll toast (does the turtle get really dried out?).

I'd try tempting your new turtle to eat--the tuna, bits of sardines packed in water, for example. I'd also try some live foods like worms or crickets to get her/him eating. Do you know what the turtle was being fed before? It's also possible that the turtle isn't taking to a different kind of food.

[Betty]

How do you tempt her if she won't open her mouth? Should I try putting the food on her mouth or maybe the juice?

The water, like I said is between 76 and 80 the basking area is about 90. The shell tends to get dry that's why I put her in the water when she won't go in on her own. She doesn't move very much on the ramp but if I put her in the water she is a stron swimmer.[/quote]

[marisa]

When I said tempt, I didn't mean you have to feed "her" (we don't know if the turtle is a female if her shell length is 2 inches). I wouldn't try to force feed her. I'd put one of the foods previously mentioned in with her and give her time to eat it. Will the other turtle quickly eat the food if she doesn't? If so, I'd take out the other turtle when she's being given food and let her have some privacy.

Aside from the not wanting to eat and the basking, does she have any other symptoms--open mouth breathing, for example. Are her eyes clear? Is she alert?

[Betty]

Well I'm not actually trying to force feed her/him. I just put the tuna and now leaf lettuce in front of it where it can smell it. I feed Myrtle first so she leaves it alone when I put the food in. Yesterday was the first time it opened it's mouth but it just looked like it was yawning.

Eyes look clear not puffy at all. Just wants to sleep unless I put her in the water then it has to swim but then back to the ramp it goes to bask some more.

I sure appreciate all the advise, it's nice to be able to talk to someone who know's res's. I'll try to figure out how to attach picture's maybe that will help.

[cam722]

I'd take the other turtle out completely when you're trying to feed the little one. Have you put any of the smelly foods on the basking dock with her? I know that's worked for me in the past. Mine would climb up, get the food and then pull it back in the water. Just another suggestion

[Betty]

Yes I put the food on the dock with her since thats where she spends all her time. But I'll try taking Myrtle out and see how that works. Because if she doesn't eat it after about five minutes Myrtle does.

Thanks Carol

[Betty]

Just wanted you all to know that Sophie passed on this past Sunday. We were all very sad. My Grandchildren and I made a spot for her in our Garden so she will always be with us. Thanks again for trying to help.

Myrtle is doing fine still strong and happy. My Husband says she knows my voice because when I walk in the house and start talking she dives in the water, from the ramp, to wait for me to go see her.

[JessicaTS]

I'm sorry for your loss

[marisa]

Sorry to hear the sad news about poor Sophie.

[knite]

I just read this thread. Sorry to hear that Sophie passed away.