Urgent Care :: Belly Ache?

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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:43 pm   Belly Ache?

We have a female RES Turtle named 'Parker' she is about 2-3 years old and is 4-5 inches big-she is very friendly and loves to roam around and sit and watch t.v with me-she tucks in all her legs and keeps her head out so i can pet it and message her neck, we haven't had a problem with her yet. But I believe we may have accidentally over fed her (She eats Wardly: reptile sticks) because today I did the usual and brought her out to roam around and she opened her mouth looking like she was about to bite but didn't. (I do handle her appropriately with two hands and support her well she never has shown signs of stress by flailing her limbs.) Right away I put her back in her tank which right now is a 10 gallon with a nice flat rock so she can bask which sits right above the water we fill the water 1 1/2 gallons (tap water) and she has a heat lamp thats on during the day and off at night. We did a water change and made her water nice and warm, warmer then usual because we read that if the water is to cold the food will rot inside her. Should we keep her in her tank or move her to a dry warm area? Please help.
(p.s Would they eat a baby toad?!)
Thanks,
Sarah, Brittany & Parker!

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How big is your turtle? 4-5"
How long have you had it? 2 months

What is the water temperature? As of expected illness 80 degrees.
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Heat lamp
How much water is in there? 1 1/2 Gallon
Are you using a water conditioner? No
Are you using any filtration? No daily water change atm

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? Flat rock which is a little about the water
Is there a UVB light? Nope

What have you been trying to feed it? Wardlys: Reptile Pellets
When was the last time your turtle ate? Today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10 gal. atm
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Opening mouth
It's the moment you feel alive.
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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:49 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

Do you mean you think you've overfed recently or since you've had her? How big was she when you got her?
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steve
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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:51 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

Ive recently over fed her within the few days she has grown about a inch.
It's the moment you feel alive.
BrittanyL
 
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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:53 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

Since these past few days, or could she be yawning?
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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:35 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

Could be yawning... any other symptoms? She's grown an inch in the last few days??
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steve
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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:41 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

No she seems perfectly fine other then opening her mouth and closing. And no, we got her at 4 inches and has grown a inch since.
It's the moment you feel alive.
BrittanyL
 
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Post Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:48 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

Oh she is also itching her face, but is in a process of shedding.
It's the moment you feel alive.
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Post Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:00 am   Re: Belly Ache?

She's grown too quickly in 2 months, please reevaluate her diet. I would also limit the amount of time she's out of the tank. Her tank is also very inadequate for her size. A general guideline is 10 gallons of tank per inch of shell length. So a 5" turtle should be in a 50 gallon tank.

Opening mouth is not a specific symptom of anything. If it's open frequently and/or there's something present like mucus, then I recommend further examination and veterinary consultation (this could be a sign of a respiratory infection).
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steve
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Post Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:19 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

One eye is goopy.
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Post Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:42 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

She might have a vitamin deficiency if all you feed her is pellets. They need dark leafy greens in their diet. When they are babies they are mostly carnivorous, as they grow up they eat mostly plants. They still appreciate protein though. At 4-5 inches your turtle is considered an adult. With the habitat issues, the diet issues, yawning and a goopy eye I would suggest a visit to the vet.
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Post Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:44 pm   Re: Belly Ache?

Well its more a little water, barely noticeable. She really is acting fine..the tank will be upgraded asap.
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