Urgent Care :: My turtle just sleeps

[Smile06]

Hello! I got 2 RES last week and I am a little worried about one of them. It doesn't eat and it just sleeps all day long. The water temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius. When I hold it, it doesn't even move or open its eyes. I don't see it when it moves, I only see it when it's in a different place.
The other turtle is fine, eating, basking, swimming. I feed them turtle sticks. As a new owner of turtles I would like your advice.
Thanks

[jozzep]

Sounds like your turtle may be sick. You should keep it separate from the healthy one or it may spread the illness.
Keep it warm and hope for the best unless you're willing to take it to a vet.

[Jaysea]

Do you notice if the other turtle bullies that one a bit? I had this problem with my turtles when i first got them, ended up having to get rid of one of them because they started fighting. But the one would just sleep on the bottom of the tank most the time and would only bask when the other turtle was sleeping.

[marisa]

Are the eyes open or are they swollen/shut?

Does the turtle bask? It would be good to separate it from the active one and give it it's own set-up that's a bit warmer. If the warmth doesn't help it, take it to a herp vet.

[Smile06]

The other one doesn't bully it. It leaves it alone. And it doesn't have swollen eyes either. The turtle stays on the rock most of the time,sleeping, and when it wakes up, swims a little and returns to the rock.
I'm really worried because it's not eating. If the food is right to its mouth it turns away.
I'll take your advice and separate them, maybe it'll come round if I make the place warmer and have the food all for itself.
Thanks

[marisa]

By "make the place warmer," do you mean the room the turtle is in or, do you mean the tank water and basking area. It should be the latter---basking area temp should be 90 - 91F and the water temp should be 82F. Is there a submersible water heater?The added warmth will help him fight any infection.

[Smile06]

I mean the water temp. The turtle has improved a little.. it moves more but it's still not eating.
I do not have a submersible water heater.

[steve]

Here are some feeding ideas: http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html
If you use live prey like minnows, you might have to hold it by the tail and let your turtle snatch it.

[marisa]

Your turtle needs a submersible water heater to keep the temp constant. If you're just adding water to warm the water, unless you're making this a full-time job, the water temp is going to vary. And warming the water with lights, is not going to keep the temp constant, since they're turned off at night (or should be).