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I've raised 3 RES' in a pond in my back yard. This spring two of my turtles had one baby. I brought him inside and he's about 3 or 4 months old. I had him in a tank in my room, and apparently the lid wasn't safe enough because one day he was gone. I assumed my cat had gotten to him, after I cleaned my entire house to make sure he was no where to be found, I gave up hope. This morning there he was lying on the living room floor. It's been about a week and a half since he went missing. I put him in water, and he seems to be waking up, he's opening his eyes and moving (very slowly) around. Since it's Sunday I can't take him to a vet, any suggestions, (other than get a much safer tank) what can I do for him? He doesn't have any apparent damage to his shell, and his eyes are clear and open. How much water should I put with him now? I'm afraid that if I put his heat lamp back with him too soon he'll get too heated too quickly, how long should I wait until I give him back his heat lamp? And, when can I feed him?

Any help would be much appreciated, I'm just so thankful that he's alright.

I know a bath in pedialyte can help hydrate, seems like hydration might be a possible concern. I'm sure someone with more info will be along soon

Hope he makes it!

I second using some diluted pedialyte for a soak. It shouldn't take long for him to readjust, but keep the water warm - about 80F and keep enough water in there that he can right himself if he flips over, so slightly deeper than the length of his shell. How hot does it get under his lamp? Are you using a thermometer to measure it?

Thanks for the suggestions on the pedialyte, he looks a lot better now that he's been in water, he seems to have almost... gained weight? He's filled out since he's been back in the water, he looks like he's a lot more hydrated, and he has all of his color back in his shell and head.

He's in water now, he's drinking. At first I had him in shallow water, but after a few hours once he was moving around I put him back in deeper water (about how much water Steve suggested). At first he was slightly floating in the water, like he had a bubble in him. Everything I found online said that this type of floating was caused from digestion problems, and suggested clean water and food so I just carefully watched him. The floating issue seems to have resolved on it's own, now he can get to the bottom of his tank fine. He seems to be happily sleeping right now.

As for the heat lamp, yes it is getting to 80 degrees, but now that it's night I'm concerned to leave it on because he looks very happy sleeping. Is the heat better for him, or should I let him rest? He seems to have had a hard day.

My mother after much online delving found where mud turtles "aestivate", like a hibernation caused by dry conditions, and she believes that is how he survived so long. Do sliders ever do this?

Since he seems to be doing okay on all other fronts, now I'm concerned about food. What should I feed him now? How long should I wait? He's also very tiny, I used to give my other turtles lots of minnows and dried shrimp (they never cared much for veggies), but he's so small he can barely eat half of a baby stick of turtle food because he's so young, is there anything that will be as healthy as the dried shrimp but tinier for him?

Sorry for so many questions, and thank you so much for the suggestions. I'm so happy to have found him, and that he's doing so well already, he's responding to my voice, and swimming around a little in his tank. I think if I can resolve the eating issue he'll be okay.

RES are very hardy, and yours most likely conserved energy by staying in cool places. RES normally hibernate in water, though I've known some who kept them in a semi-active state in dry tanks. I still won't recommend anyone do it as there are a lot of unknowns and misconceptions regarding it.

Well I would never make my turtle stay out of water than strictly necessary, but thanks for that info.

As for Fred (my baby RES) he is doing great. He seems to not know that he was at any risk and is living happily in his home now. Thanks for all the help!

with one that looks to be dehydrating, i've found wrapping them in 90 degree wet rags helps to stimulate them to come back. the heat and moisture works really fast ans they usually show marked improvement within the hour after starting it. pedialite diluted will help the restoring process