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Hello. My female red-ear that is approximately 4 1/2 years old is pushing her insides out while it looks as though she is trying to lay an egg. She has layed eggs quite a few times, so I am sure that it is a girl. She then, puts her back legs into the sacks and blood comes out. I have not changed anything about her care recently, so I am unsure what is happening. Is this behavior normal? If so, I have never seen it. Any insight that anyone has would REALLY be appreciated.

THANKS!

Eva

What type of setup does she have? There's a announcement at the top of this section that has some important questions that we need to know in order to help you and her. Please answer those questions.

This does not sound normal and could be a ruptured egg or impaction from eating gravel. These are just my guesses but after answering those questions for us, someone will be able to help you more.

How big is your turtle? full grown... 10 inches
How long have you had it? 4 years

What is the water temperature? 79 degrees
Are you using a water heater? no
How much water is in there? 10 inches
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 85ish
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? Kaytee Aquatic... for a year or two
When was the last time your turtle ate? yesterday the 29th of May

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? Inside 65 gallons, outside 90
Is the tank near a window? yes
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? sometimes

Have you read the Basic Care section? Of books yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes... most were about male turtles

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? no this just started today, and is quite odd.

What do you mean "sacks"? It could be an intestinal prolapse... but that is definitely not good and the presence of blood is not very good either. Is there anything coming out of the anus (cloaca)?

I don't think there is anything you can do (except keep the water very clean) but I'd look for a vet for immediate professional care and treatment.

I called two vets, but neither called me back. When she sticks her head into her shell, she pushes out these red looking sacks (they almost look like blood blisters) that she kicks with her claws, blood comes out these sacks then. I separated her immediately from my other slider, and am hoping for the best. Is she in any pain?

What about a nesting area? Does she have one both inside and outside that she can access easily? If not, she may have retained eggs since they should not be layed in water. If they burst inside her she will need to be taken to a herp vet asap. Here's a link on nesting: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Nestsites.htm

Do you have gravel in the tank?

She has laid about 20-25 eggs already this year in 4-5 different spots in the yard. Spots for her to nest are easy for her to get to. I let her walk around earlier, but she wasn't behaving like she wanted to dig or lay eggs. Can turtles get hemorroids (spelling)?

I do not have grave in the tank.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

Well, that knocks out my two theories. I would get her to a herp vet, it doesn't sound good. Sorry I couldn't help more.

Can you try to post some Pics? It could be a prolapse and I'd keep trying to reach a vet if you can.

I'll try, but it may be difficult to capture.

I don't know how to put a picture into this, so you can check my myspace account, and I will put it there. http://www.myspace.com/guiltyeva

It seems that my turtle is doing better. The hole is back to normal, and she is behaving like she used to. I will keep an eye on her, though. Not sure what happened, but thank you for all the help! You ROCK!

It's possible she has retained an egg and it ruptured inside her. I'd still get her to a herp vet to be checked. An x-ray would give a much better picture of what's going on.

We took her to the vet to see if she was going to be ok. Unfortunately, the turtle ate something that was unremoveable without a VERY expensive operation. So we had to put her to sleep. Thank you all for your help.
She was a wonderful pet and I will miss her very much.

Sorry about your loss! Do you know what it is that she ate...maybe to warn other readers about the same thing? A choice like that is never an easy one.