Urgent Care :: Leg cramps/inactivity/skin shedding

[Ligeia]

Hello,
I have problems with my turtle. 3 weeks ago she stopped producing excreta although she didn't refuse to eat. I noticed my turtle rubbing her tail with back legs and then she had cramps in her legs A week ago she produced quite a lot of excreta but she still keeps rubbing her tail and has cramps. She's been quite inactive for the past 2 weeks and I also noticed excessive skin shedding :/
Please, give me some advice on what I should do. It's a problem to find a vet for reptiles in where I live so any help would be appreciated.



How big is your turtle? 10 y.o.
How long have you had it? 10 years

What is the water temperature? 27C
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? gammarus, squid, raw beef, turtle pellets. For some reason, my turtle never eats vegetables
When was the last time your turtle ate ?yesterday

[steve]

You might not be seeing the waste if she's eating it. Has she done that before? What makes you think she's had cramps? Have you tried feeling for eggs?

[Ligeia]

I can crearly see leg cramps, especially after she rubs her tail (she does that a lot). I also think she might have abdominal cramps because I sometimes see her suddenly jumping under water as if something suddenly hurts inside And no, I've never thought about eggs cause she lives alone. Do you mean infertile eggs? What should I do?
Today she's been basking for 3 hours after meal (she didn't eat much and was pretty reluctant to eat) and now she doesn't move much :/ I'm afraid to put her back in water (

[happycamper]

Female turtles can lay eggs with no male present, yes they'd be infertile. You can feel for eggs, I don't know exactly how though... My turtle is a male.

[Ligeia]

What if she has eggs inside and can't lay them? I'm afraid to move her much now because she's so weak I've no idea how I can feel eggs :/
Tomorrow is Sunday and I won't be able to find a vet (although I'm not sure if I find a specialist for reptiles in my city). I'm so scared because I've never seen her like that. After basking she didn't move at all but now she moves a bit but still sitting in one place

[happycamper]

http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html

There is a link to some info on eggs. She's still getting out of the water to bask on her own?

[Ligeia]

Thank you for the link! I've tried to feel for eggs as it was described there but she didn't let me and I'm afraid to use force as she's so weak and fragile now I will try later, I hope she will let me.
No, she's too weak to get out so I put her in the basking area after meal. When I removed her she didn't move at all. Now she's sitting on my couch in one place and doesn't even try to go anywhere. But she responds when I touch her. It's 2am here and I'm just sitting and looking at my turtle and don't know what to do :/ I can't even take her to a vet till Monday Do you think it's okay if I put her in water?

[happycamper]

Maybe you could dry dock her for the night, she needs to have enough energy to go up for air if she goes back in the water

[happycamper]

I an not positive what would be best, dry docking can be stressful too. I hope steve or someone more experienced chimes in soon...

[Ligeia]

I left only a little water so that she didn't have to swimm to breathe. This morning I was woken up by her when she suddenly exhales air and went under water. I jumped out of bed and found her all in cramps, not moving and open mouth! She's now on my couch, trying to go somewhere but she's too weak And she's constantly rubbing her tail She breathes heavily also. I can't do without a vet, that's for sure.

[Ligeia]

I've just made an appointment with a vet for tomorrow but I have to go to another city. It will take me 4 hours to get there and 4 hours to get back. Do you think it's okay if I put my turtle in a box with a towel for this trip?

[steve]

Use a box or large plastic container. Line it with newspaper and bring extra papertowels with you. I'd also bring some plastic bags and bottled water so you can clean up if necessary. I hope she gets better!

[happycamper]

Good luck! Your turtle is lucky to have such a caring owner

[Ligeia]

Thank you! I hope everything will be alright.

[richieboy]

Yes i think you'll be alright. Taking fast action is key.