redearslider.com

DESCRIPTION: I have a red eared slider and he is about 1" in diameter.

PROBLEM: I have seen him put rocks in his mouth twice, both times I put food in the tank and he immediately spit the rock out. I think I gave him too much credit in thinking he did this as a cry to feed him. Now, I have noticed his butt is always "open" and he appears to be bearing down with noticeable movement of his tail, butt and abodomen (what can be viewed from where his hind legs come out of the shell).


DETAILS: He has a healthy apetite and is very active, more so than usual. It appears he swims around in circles trying to deficate. I tried putting him it water (about an inch deep) which was around 88-92 degrees for about ten minutes, he wouldn't eat or deficate in this tub, immediately after re-entry of his tank, he found a food pellet god knows where and began to devour it (and later spit it up). I'm not sure if this is a good sign or a bad sign. I'm really attatched to this little guy because I bought two and the first one died of a respitory infection. I have two more on the way and I would like to make sure this guy is taken care of before introducing any new turtles.

Please Help "Save" Donatello!

Thanks,
Jeff

What do you mean by "his butt is always open"? What makes you assume that he is trying to defecate when swimming in circles? Water that is 88-92 degrees is too warm and he may have been uncomfortable and stressed out.

Are you sure there is no waste being produced? If so, then I would get him to a vet for an examination and an Xray do determine if there is a blockage.

His anus is "open" ... about one and a half two picks in diameter [crude way of describing it]... I thought 88-92 is good for a 10 minute soak, it was no longer than that. he used to spend all day on his basking rock until this behavior started.

Is there anything coming out of the anus (cloaca)? Is it possible he was bitten by the other turtle? I really think he should get a physical examination by a vet at this point.