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Leo hadn't really eaten in two weeks since I brought him back from the vet. I was keeping him in the tank without any water with the occasional dip for feeding (which never happened) and rehydration. In addition to this, he had been refusing to open his mouth for two days to get the oral antibiotics. I would poke at him for a good 40 minutes and would get no reaction. So I called the vet yesterday and she suggested that I put him back on the water and take him out every once in a while and to lay off the antibiotics for now.

So last night I refilled the tank and put him in. He's never been so active in his life!! I woke up this morning and he's happily swimming around the whole tank, looking at me and following me. Leo's never seemed this happy before, and it made me feel much better. I tried to feed him just now and he ate about 4 pellets AND a cricket! His first cricket! He's refused them until now, but he just ate this one up. I'm supposed to call the vet back monday and let her know, but I'm very happy with the results so far, hopefully he'll be fully recovered very soon, I'll keep you updated!!

I'm sorry but... the whole keeping him out of the water ... its an aquatic turtle to me its like saying you have allergies stop breathing air.

I'm glad he's doing so well.

Had the vet told you to keep him out of the water?

I went back and read your old post. That is weird that the vet told you to not put him in water. like flutterby said"..its an aquatic turtle", it needs water.

When I read brianthedog's post, I see he was taken out for "feeding and rehydration." I'm assuming this is what the vet ordered/suggested, and even though he was reusing to eat, I hope that he was continued to be put in water and offered food anyway, and that he was also continually rehydrated.

When/if the vet says to try to anitbiotics again, instead of poking at the turtle, try using a toothpick to get the mouth open (works more times than not). (Gently try to put it into the closed mouth until the turtle opens it.)

It's very good that he's eating.

Now I'm confused. He said

I was keeping him in the tank without any water with the occasional dip for feeding (which never happened) and rehydration.

I thought he meant he was in the tank without water, he only got water when he feed him. Which is good that he is eating now.

Aquatic turtles are dry tanked all the time. Usuall to treat shell rot or RI. They do need water to eat and to stay hydrated though. Usualy a little drink bowl that they can splash in. What are the antibiotics for anyway you didnt mention...

staman wrote:Aquatic turtles are dry tanked all the time. Usuall to treat shell rot or RI. They do need water to eat and to stay hydrated though. Usualy a little drink bowl that they can splash in. What are the antibiotics for anyway you didnt mention...

This was an update to his previous post about Leo having RI and shell rot. So the antibiotics are probably for that.

wow, a lot of responses lol. Yes, it was an update to a previous post and the antibiotics were for his RI. The vet told me to empty his tank and put down paper towels as substrate. Then she told me to let him soak in water twice a day for 30-45 minutes and to offer food then, which i did. She told me that being constantly in water would only make the RI and shell rot worse. So, thats what I did. Sorry if there was any confusion.

And Marisa, thanks for the toothpick idea I'll have to try that next time I give him the antibiotics.

When you put him in water, did you make it deep enough so that he was totally covered?

Yes, and a little deeper than that to give him some room to move around