redearslider.com

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and it's my first time posting here. I'm worried for my res Also, sorry in advance if my post is too long…

I have two (I believe female) res Merlin and Ursula. I have them in a 36l tank, measured to the platform level. I realize this is way too small and am planning for a bigger tank, but I don't have room for a much much larger one There is a platform where they can bask. Only a heat lamp (40 wats), just put in a thermometer there and it says 29C. I have a heater set on 27C, even though the thermometer in the water shows around 28C. I also have a filter, it's with sponges that I try to clean/wash as much as possible. I don't use a conditioner, can't find any here (you'll notice mineral deposits on their shells, picked up cleaning them with a toothbrush again). I'll be getting a UVB bulb, an exo terra one. I haven't been using one up until now, it's really difficult to find basic care items for reptiles in my country. I've had them for a little more than 5 years and everything has been ok, up until now. I mostly feed them with pellets, 2-3 a day and I used to give them green salad, but rarely and I'm correcting that now. Ursula, the bigger one, is around 10cm and she has no problems eating the vegetables. Merlin, 9cm, never had a taste for it. I also realize that they are too small for their age… maybe worrying about over-feeding them I actually don't feed them enough?! These past few days I've also been using a calcium+D3 supplement, before I could never menage to get them to eat the cuttlefish bone.

The problem: Merlin has changed her behavior these past 3 weeks. She's basking all the time and almost seems afraid of the water. When she's in there she swims frantically and I have to put her back in the water to feed her. The good thing is that she's eating, but isn't as active and happy as she was before. There are some changes on her plastron of which I'll post pics. Maybe it's just shedding? It looks weird, but it's not soft and it doesn't smell. Ursula seems a little bit swollen. I read what it could be and I'm terrified for her. The past two days I've only been feeding her green salad and she seems a bit less swollen now.

Took them to a vet today, but since he isn't specializing in reptiles I also decided to post here and see what you guys say. He said that their fine, a little too small though. For Ursula he said that it's just a bit of water retention and that I should keep doing what I'm doing. For Merlin he said that there is nothing wrong with her plastron, but there are deformations on her shell (her shell has been like that since the day I got her, so I guess I never worried). He told me to get that UVB and told me to get A+D3 supplement and add that to their food. But, to recap, he didn't think there were any serious problems… And I'm not so sure

Ursula

Merlin

P.S. I hope I uploaded the images correctly.

Welcome to the forum. Have the been shedding recently? The turtle in the second pic has some noticeable gaps between the scutes. I'd take the time and opportunity to inspect them, make sure they are firm and clean. As for what else is going on... thats hard to say. Turtles can change behavior and get moody sometimes like all other animals.

That said, turtles can and will hide their illnesses if they can. Maybe bump up the basking temperature a little and keep a close eye on any other behavior changes. Do they still react the same towards treats/live prey?

Thanks, it's a great forum I haven't noticed any shedding lately, as in parts in the water. But when I checked her the day before yesterday it looked like one of the scutes was coming off. But change isn't noticeable and I've noticed the gaps as well. Still checking the state every day. Her plastron is not soft to the touch. And I'm trying to keep the water as clean as possible.

Ursula does behave the same when it's feeding time. But Merlin, the second one on the pics, I have to put in the water and show her the treat. But when she sees it she goes for it immediately. And yesterday and today she even begged for food which hasn't happened in a while, like a week or so. How much do you think I should bump up the temp? I'm afraid it can be a bit much, it's already showing 29 Celsius.

Also, thank you so much for replying

How much are you feeding them?

2-3 pellets a day. But now I'm changing the diet, like I said. I'm offering green salad. But Merlin doesn't seem to eat it, she never liked it.

THey could probably get a few more pellets. Have they ever been given treats or live prey?

No, I haven't given them that. But I bought fish (small sweet water fish) to give them as a treat twice or maybe 3 times a week.

P.S. Merlin seems to be yawning a bit more than usual and scratches her neck. Also she's making a weird sound (never heard this before)… No bubbles from the nose though. Could it be RI? This seems to happen more after feeding time, when I have to put her in the water. What could this be? The vet didn't say anything. I'm really worried. I also changed their pellets thinking it might be a reaction from the food or something, no change in Merlin. The temp in the basking area is now 30/32C.

Nothing I've read would indicate its RI. How's their swimming abilities?

Ursula seems to have no problems, business as usual. Merlin… goes crazy in the water, sometimes it seems like she doesn't dive at all and just stays on the top layer, but she's in the water for only such a short amount of time that I can't be sure. Don't think I've seen her swim in a couple of days. Spends all of the time on the platform. Tomorrow I'll put them in separate tanks, just to be sure. And again thanks for trying to help.

I read somewhere on the forum that they can make that "clicking" sound (I guess that's what I heard) if they are dehydrated or something…? Or maybe I've read so many things in my panic that I think everything is a new "symptom" :S

Does Merlin only do that when she sees your or someone else? Or does she always do around the same time of day? A clicking or croaking sound can sometimes be heard but not it's not done often. I'm not sure its completely related to dehydration but it's never been reported to be a symptom of anything.

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I've been waiting to see how they'll be doing. Good news! Last 4 days they are much MUCH better. Active and swimming during the day. No lethargy. Begging for food and actively responding to their environment. I can't be sure what the problem was, but the temp and diet change sure helped a lot, so one of those two. Waiting for the uvb light and hopefully there won't be any more problems.

P.S. The plastron changes were only shedding as far as I can tell.

Great to hear!