Urgent Care :: She's been sick 2 weeks...

[MANDYKAYM11]

I am a teacher and have gained 2 red eared sliders for our pets. (i have one of my own at my own house). During Thanksgiving i noticed that one was floating and sent me into a panic. After an expensive vet visit i was sent home with several medications to give her by mouth (she is about half dollar size). I have been giving her an antibiotic since the 6th of Dec as well as calcium supliment. They said i should see change within 10 days but its been over that and she is still floating. Only now its more to the one side. I am to give her one of them (i cant think off the top of my head) for 30 days and the other for 60 twice a day (which is a lot of time!!) so i know i need to continue. But is it abnormal for it to still not have changed yet? I have only seen her eat one time during all of this. She is still strong, climbs around when i am giving her medicine....
I have gotten a new uv light for them (only one is sick, but both are getting it, though they are seperated at this point) and they have a heat lamp for warmth.
I know i may just be panicing, but i am curious if its still to soon to tell or if i should be seeing changes.
can anyone help??

[TurtleLover_S&B]

Well,it sounds like a respiratory infection,because of the lopsided swimming.I'm completely sure,but that's what it sounds like.

[Kemul]

Lopsided swimming isn't a good sign. To determine if it's respiratory infection,
does your turtle show the other signs (swollen eyes, lethargy, runny nose,
frequent yawning, breathing with mouth)? A month of antibiotic is quite long for
a hatchling, I think. And at that age, I don't think turtle needs calcium supplement.

Could you please post the environment info, etc (standard questions) from the
sticky post under Urgent Care?

[marisa]

What is the temp of the water and basking area?

[megcornell]

Turtles have slow metabolisms so it does take some time for the antibiotics to work. But, I think you should be seeing some positive improvements by now.
If you haven't already, go ahead and boost the water temp to 80-82 degrees to help boost the turtle's immune system.

[MANDYKAYM11]

How big is your turtle? i would say about an 1 1/5 inch diameter?
How long have you had it? two-three months

What is the water temperature? high 70's, trying to get up in the 80's. I have a heat lamp right over it so it may be warmer.
Did you use a thermometer? in the classroom aquarium there is a heating device underwater that kept it in the 70's
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? it was about two times its length full of water.
Are you using a water conditioner? i use aqua safe in the water after i clean it
Are you using any filtration? there is a filter in the tank. right now during break i change its water every couple of days because its not in a tank.

What is the basking temperature? i have a heat lamp right over...gets pretty warm.
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? Zoo Med basking spot lamp
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? Zoo Med aquatic turtle food
When was the last time your turtle ate? several weeks?

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 7X11 inch
Is the tank near a window? hasnt been, just moved it to one
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? so so

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?
She still gets bubbles out of her nose. When i get the liquid med in her mouth some comes out her nose. She still floats to the side still. Hasnt eaten. Her shell is getting dryer because it doestn go under water....should i get conditioning for her shell?
I am in a real panic because i feel hopeless and helpless. Any help?? suggestions??

[MANDYKAYM11]

yes Vet said it was respitory infection, gave a shot for phnemonia in case??

[MANDYKAYM11]

I dont know about swollen eyes? I dont remember looking too closely before. She doesnt seem to swim much, when i hold her to give the meds she will fight back, but mainly just lays around. the back of her shell seems a little soft that is why he wanted me to give a boost of calcium, especially without eating. dont know about breathing out of mouth.

[TheComputerGremlin]

If she's not getting any better, I'd say another trip to the vet is in order. Maybe they won't charge you so much since it's more of a check up? You can call them ahead of time.

Often what's causing the floating is there's a bubble somewhere in the turtle's body. It can take a few weeks for the bubble to fully dissipate. Since you said she's just a bit lopsided now, maybe that's a sign that she's getting a little better. An RI with a little one can be very dangerous, so that she's still alive is a good sign. You can feed her things we consider treats to entice eating, like pieces of stinky tuna. I recommend the tuna in a pouch rather than can, it holds it's shape better. Try to get her to eat anything at all right now.

Rather than condition her shell, just push her down into the water a few times each day. That will keep the shell hydrated.

[mikee]

Man-m-11 Watch your temps and boost the water temp to about 80 to 81 degrees and the basking at about 90 to 91 degrees. Make sure your lights are in order with uvb and a heat source for basking. Keep the water clean and watch the diet and keep him fed. m.

[MANDYKAYM11]

When do i know its time to throw in the towel? She refused the meds this morning....45 min trying to get her to open her mouth??

[marisa]

I wouldn't throw in the towel---I'd keep trying. Try to get the water temp up to 82F (check it with a thermometer) and the basking area 90-91F. Water will come out of aquatic turtles' noses even when they eat. How are you trying to get the mouth open? Using a blunted toothpick has sometimes worked for me, so has a q-tip with some of the cotton removed. If you can get the turtle annoyed so that he'll grab at what ever you're using, you can try to get some of the meds in him then. (I've stroked the cheeks with the q-tip, for example and generally kept it in the face until the turtle has gone for it.

[bradmeisel]

Don't throw in the towel. Turtles can come back from some bad things. Stick with it, I hope things turn around.