Urgent Care :: RES Not Eating

[frye72]

I bought two red eared sliders at a festival at the end of May 2011. On my way home I stopped at a fish store to see what they could tell me about caring for the turtles. I learned that they were about one month old and illegal to be sold. The staff was very knowledgeable and explained what all was needed. The store person said the turtles were sick and may not survive. I bought a 25 gallon tank, UV light, heat lamp, basking rock, filter, heater, temperature gauge, calcium blocks, water treatment, reptoguard blocks and pellets. Several hundred dollars later I was on my way. We set the turtles up in their new home asap. The water temperature is between 78 and 80 degrees and basking area is about 90 degrees. They ate, swam, basked and seemed to be doing well. One turtle became acclimated to us right away while the other still "freaks out" when we come near and then calms down. The calmer one, Tooter, seemed to be hogging the food in the beginning and I was concerned for the other, Scooter. However, Scooter seemed okay so I figured as long as he/she ate some all was good.

A couple of weeks ago Scooter, who was the unhealthier weaker one that ate less, began to grow rapidly. Scooter is now about double the size of Tooter. Tooter began eating less and the last few days has eaten nothing. Tooter's eyes are open and he basks most of the day and he even gets on the basking rock at night which concerns me. About one month ago I tried feeding some frozen food for reptiles that Petsmart said the turtles would love. The turtles were not interested in it at all. I went back to the fish store (70 miles away) and they suggested placing some live plants in the tank for snacking on. Both turtles liked the plants at first, but then were no longer interested. I also bought some dried shrimp at the fish store. The staff stated only to feed the shrimp as a snack occasionally to avoid having the turtles become overweight. Both turtles loved the shrimp.

Today the water was cleaned and the turtles were separated so I could try feeding Tooter alone. Tooter was not interested in eating shrimp or pellets. I also noticed that Tooter did not poop. In addition, Tooter makes bubbles frequently and I am not sure if that is a problem or not.

1. Do you have any idea why one turtle would double in size over 2 to 3 weeks?
2. Do you think Tooter is sick? Any ideas on what to try doing?
3. Do the bubbles mean anything?
4. Why would Tooter get on the basking rock when the light is off and it is dark in the room?

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[Love of Animals]

Keep them separated for now. When Tooter blows bubbles is he in the water? Do you see any bubbles out of the water? Can he submerge easily? When he swims is he tilted? Is there any mucus on his nose? Those are all signs of RI. Being lethargic and not eating are too. If he does have RI it's contagious so keep them separated. Bump up the water to 82 degrees and the basking area to 95 degrees. The increased temps will help their immune system as well a make them comfortable if sick. Please don't use repti guard blocks. They contain sulfur. Sulfur should only be used as a medication when needed. The calcium blocks are useless. Float little pieces of cuttle bone with the hard backing removed for calcium. They are found in the bird section. Surprisingly the fish store sounds semi knowledgeable about turtles which is unusual for a pet store. Please answer the questions and keep us posted. We'll have our fingers crossed for you.

[frye72]

I do not have any way to keep them separated right now. Tooter blows bubbles in the water frequently. Tooter appears to submerge easily and does not look tilted to me. There is no mucus that I see. I would say swimming looks like an effort, like as if Tooter is tired.

I only used Reptoguard blocks in the beginning when they were first bought and I found out the turtles were sick (they were red, shells were a little soft and they were not swimming much). They recovered quickly once they were home and had adjusted to everything. I just put a reptoguard block back into the tank a few days ago thinking if Tooter was sick it might help.

The staff at the fish store said the calcium blocks they had would do okay, but there were better things out there. The store is switching over to be strictly fish so the supply of non fish items was limited. I do not have a pet store nearby other than Petsmart. I will see if I can buy some better calcium online.

This morning when I fed them (well, really, just Scooter) I saw Tooter rub at his eyes. His eyes do not look clear to me today like they have been. They are open, but look like they have a layer of something on them.

[steve]

I agree that should skip the blocks and up the temperatures. Scooter sounds like he's eating too much as well and you need to control their diet. Have you looked over this page?
http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html