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Hello all,

I have 3 RES younguns (all 3 are about <2") and previously one of them (DDT) got sick, taken to the vet, got Baytril injections, and is normal now but still quarantined in a separate tank on the vet's orders. here's the thread on his case: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8008

now, one of the other 2 RES in the main tank (his/her name is Butters) hasn't been eating for the past couple of days, is still somewhat active (not at all as inactive as DDT was when DDT was sick), and i think Butters is slightly uneven when swimming (left side lower than right side). i remember the vet saying this is a sign of respiratory infection, and if this is true, then i think i must be setting up the tank or caring for my RES wrong.

all the details can be found in that link i included above, but in summary, i have a UVA/UVB lamp, submersible water heater, a waterfall filter, landing dock in the main tank... i clean the tank and change the water once every week, but i don't treat the water... i think that may be the problem? what do i get to treat the water?

oh btw, there is another RES in the main tank with Butters. his/her name is Jaws and it's doing perfectly fine

butters is acting like DDT when DDT was sick...

i.e., chilling a lot on the partially submerged area of the landing dock, resting his head in the water... and occasionally sticks his head out in the air and opens his mouth wide like he's gasping for air... DDT did this before too

Sounds like he has RI. It doesn't mean your setup is wrong. It sounds right to me. Sometimes they are sick when you get them and it just takes a while before the symptoms start to show. Make sure you bump up the water temp to at least 80 degrees. Maybe even a couple degrees higher. This will help their immune system. Unfortunately, Butters needs to go to the vet asap.

Good luck and keep us posted.

It happens painfully often that the RES are ill when they come home but don't show the symptoms until later. Then it's contagious so if one comes down with it, it's likely to spread. It's definitely not anything you're doing that's causing this. You're doing great.

If you can get Butters to the vet and started on the antibiotics it will be sooner than it was with DDT so hopefully he won't get as sick. I wouldn't be surprised if your third one came down with it since he's been exposed too so see what the vet has to say about him.

I know it's tough VLeduc but you're doing really well. Just stick with it. I'll keep you and your turtles in my thoughts.

thanks for the support.. ill be taking all 3 to the vet tomorrow just in case. thanks again, i appreciate it =D

Good luck! I am so glad that you are taking you're turtles to the vet. I realy hope that they pull through.

Brought all 3 to the vet today. Vet said DDT is fully recovered and started Butters on Baytril injections, which he disliked very much (snap! snap!). He also told me to switch Butters' and DDT's places, so Butters goes into the quarantine tank, and DDT finally gets to go back into the main tank after about a month in the quarantine one (seems to like it a lot! swimming around, etc.)

Jaws - 18g
Butters - 14g
DDT - 12-13g

thanks for the support, everyone; i'll keep you posted

If you catch the RI early enough often they will make it. Good for you for following up so aggressively!

I would also thoroughly clean both tanks and filters. Thanks for the update.

took Butters back to the vet for a follow-up yesterday... he's totally back to normal (except he might be a little more scared of me than usual ever since i gave him Baytril injections on my own)

vet said to keep him in quarantine for 2 more weeks (he had suggested the same thing with DDT last month)

Butters is now 16g

That's really good news! And I guess Jaws is still doing fine?

yeah, he's doing great... even though Jaws is noticeably bigger than DDT (shell is 1/16" longer in diameter), DDT is back to his rascally aggressive ways and overpowering/running over Jaws when he thinks food is coming!

Ha!