Urgent Care :: Turtle is acting very strange, spins in circles in the water

[maggieandmike]

About 2 weeks ago, our turtle started acting really wierd, he seems to get disoriented in the water or something, and starts spinning REALLY fast in the tank, also he goes for his floating food and misses it by like an inch everytime he tries to eat it...his sister is also growing fast and is really healthy, but our turtle is about 2 inches and has a very dingy shell.....can anyone help us?!

[Kemul]

I think usually erratic swimming is not a good sign.

Please answer the questions listed here (click) so that we know more about the
turtle and the setup, etc.

[steve]

If your turtle can't swim properly take him/her out of the tank and into a dry, warm spot. Was this a sudden occurrence?

[Moose]

how is his breathing? any squeaks, bubbles? eating properly?

[gwennie]

Can you read this topic here and post the questions and answers for us? It may help us figure out what's going on, if we can figure it out.

[maggieandmike]

How big is your turtle? 3" stv
How long have you had it? 7 months

What is the water temperature? 76
Did you use a thermometer? Temp. gun
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? 1 foot
Are you using a water conditioner? yse
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 85+
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? floating dock
Is there a UVB light? yes full spectrum

What have you been trying to feed it? zoomed + calcium supp. with d3 and phosph.
When was the last time your turtle ate? still eating

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 2.5' x 1.5'
Is the tank near a window? yes
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?
swimming erratically (in circles as though unable to swim in a straight line.)

[gwennie]

Are all of your turtle's limbs moving when he's in the water?

I've never heard of one swimming in circles before...

[maggieandmike]

yeah..all of his legs work..maybe a little too well...but we have read about this girls turtle being dropped and showing red color through the bottom of the shell to signify internal bleeding, ours hasnt been dropped at all, but when he flips over in the water, you can see pinkish spots....we dont know what to do...

[gwennie]

I'd definitely get him into the vet. : /

[blackforces get you]

a pic would help if you can. but going to a vet isn't so bad as well

[marisa]

Do take him to a herp vet if you haven'd done so already.

[Moose]

that might be a sign of internal bleeding