Urgent Care :: Turtles in China

[Kt]

We have adopted two turtles that apear to be quite sick. We believe they have been very cold and possibly are in a semi hibernated state. We live in China and vets are not an option here. We don't think they have eaten for a couple of months. One is fairly active and his shell and eyes are ok. The other's shell is a white-ish colour or is covered in a white-ish coating of something and it cannot open it's eyes. Neither have any interest in eating. We now have them in a proper environment but would appreciate any advice or help.

[Vtolds]

I picture may help diagnose your turtles. It could be a shell problem or it could just be hard water stains but one would think both would have it. Elevate your water temp to at least 80 degrees to help there immune systems fight off what ever they have. You also may want to think about separating the obviously sick on from the other.

Not eating right off it normal and as soon as they get used too there new surroundings they will more than likely start eating.

[mikee]

China -- It sound like your turtles need some help. There a lot of information that may help. How large is you tank? How many gallons is the tank? What kind of filter do you have and how many gallons per hour does it pump? Where do you have you water heater set? What type of lighting do you have? What are you feeding them? First step would be very clean water and 80 degrees temp would be a start.

[SpotsMama]

What are you trying to feed them? While they are sick, you can offer them tasty things that you'd normally only offer as treats - tuna, shrimp, boiled chicken, earthworms (if you offer earthworms be sure they haven't been exposed to chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, etc).

You know aquatic turtles cannot eat unless they are in water, so be sure you feed them in water.

There is a product called Pedialyte that we can get in the US. It's a drink for sick babies. If you can get it, dilute it to half strength and let your turtles soak in it for half an hour twice each day.

If one or both of the turtles has swollen eyes, if you can get some cod liver oil you can dab some on their eyes with a q tip. This may sooth their eyes and if they are vitamin a deficient, if will help.

In addition to keeping them warm (critical as this stimulate their immune system) and clean and trying to get them to eat, try to avoid stressing them as much as you can; ie, don't pick them up unless you have to.

Good luck. We'll be pulling for you. Please lt us know how it goes.

[marisa]

The whitish coating and closed eyes are unfortunately all too common in turtles that have had inadequate care.

What water temp are you keeping them at? They should be a bit warmer than usual (water 82F, basking area 91-92F) to help them fight infection and stimulate their appetites. If the eyes are shut and they can't see their food, however, they're not likely to eat.

If you can't get the Pedialyte or a reasonable substitute, look for some liquid vitamins (there's one called Poly-Vi-Sol here for babies and children, but again, if you can't find that look for a reasonable substitute, even liquid avian vitamins (birds) could be used in a pinch).

The cod liver oil on the eye lids will help if part of their problem is a Vit A deficiency (and it could very well be). If you don't see any improvement after several days of use (apply it once or twice a day), then something else is involved.

[Kt]

HI Guys,
Thanks very much for all the help. We are trying to get there envoriment set up but its not that easy here especally seeing they are normaly the main course they dont have many facilities for care.
We have got about a 8-10 Gallon bowl with a rock for them to climb on. A water heater that is in a plastic bottle with holes so they cant burn themselves and 2 x 40 watt lamps on the rock. We have been bathing them once a day in salt water and a drip of cod liver oil on there eyes each day. I know its not ideal but best we could in a day. Improvments comming. We will look for some liquid vitimans as I think they are very weak with malnutrition. Thanks again Kt.

[mikee]

Kt -- I am sure you are doing what you can with what you can get your hands on. Keeping the temps correct and lights correct is important. You will need to get your hands on an uvb light as they need it to digest their food to get their metabolism up and running. The water temp should be at 80, when they are sick, basking at 90 degrees and.50 uvb lighting. I use salt water to clean off my turtles but too much will have a tendency to dehydrate them. Since you don't have a filter you will need to change the water every day or every other day. While sick, they need warm clean water. Do the best you can and good luck.