General Care Discussion :: General questions about turtle's health

[lotsofpets]

I think I would go ahead and schedule a vet appointment. The only reason I thought I knew what it looked like was because Donatello had a similar thing underneath his "turtle neck" several months ago before I started using this forum. I made the illustration because I never took a picture of it myself. It looked something like a large grain of sand under the skin on his neck.

[Kai.]

I know saying this makes me sound like a very inconsiderate person who looks at turtles as objects more than living things with feelings, but would it really be worth going to the vet to get it check out? I mean, I really don't want it to die or anything, but I got 3 turtles for $20 at a nearby shop. I doubt my parents would agree with going through all that fuss; finding a nearby vet, schedueling an appointment, paying for the visit etc.

What did it turn out to be? Is it life threatening? Is it contagious?

[cam722]

Let me ask you this.. if you got a dog for free and it got sick would you take it to the vet?

Let me guess.. your parents would see that differently. In my eyes and I'm sure in many others on here, when you got those turtles you accepted responsibility for their wellbeing.

[Kai.]

Yea i know, and if it were up to me, i would take him to the vet. But i'm still 14, and my parents basically have the final say on most things. For the time being, i doubt i can pursuade them to get him to a vet, so i would like to know (if anyone knows)

what is it that my turtle has, whether it's life threatening or not, and if it's contagious.

If this helps any;

How big is your turtle? about 1.5''
How long have you had it? 2 days

What is the water temperature? 26 Celsius
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? about 10-15 gall
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? no

What is the basking temperature? dont know
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? driftwood
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? not much since it's their second day, mainly staple food
When was the last time your turtle ate? at 3 today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 30 gall
Is the tank near a window? not really
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? my room

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? not really active, but neither are the other 2 turtles and i kind of figured it was because they were still adapting to the new environment

[xsavingsaturdayx]

You must take it to the vet,i dont know exactly what that "bump" can be,but i wouldnt "wait out" something like that.And like carol said,you accepted the responsibilty,explain to your parents that they are living creatures who feel pain and suffer.I hate how some parents think that taking a turtle to the vet is a waste of time,ugh.Well anyways good luck and i hope you do the right thing.

P.S. i hope you know having 3 turtles means ALOT of space and money $$$

[Kai.]

I just talked to my parents, and they said that they think that taking a turtle to a vet is a waste of time and money and that if it dies, it dies...

This really sucks... it's my 2nd day having them too... will it affect the other turtles? should i seperate him from the others?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Dont give up,go to the vet on a city bus if you have to !

Its probably best if you seperate him from the others...if its something like an infection,then it can affect the others.But please,try to get him seen by a vet .

[Kai.]

Unfortunately, when my parents say no to something, it's going to be very, very hard to do otherwise. I highly doubt that i can take him to a vet ;;

seperate him from the others? but since they were in the same aquarium when i bought them, would it really ake that much of a big difference? Where would I put him? I don't have another tank that I can put him in.. the most ideal place i could put him in is a tofu mug ( cause my mom probably won't want a turtle in her food containers)

[xsavingsaturdayx]

....You do realize that his life may be on the line,are you asking them for money or for a ride? Because if you have the money then i dont see why you cant find a way to a vet.


"seperate him from the others? but since they were in the same aquarium when i bought them, would it really ake that much of a big difference? Where would I put him? I don't have another tank that I can put him in.. the most ideal place i could put him in is a tofu mug ( cause my mom probably won't want a turtle in her food containers)"

That is what i meant by having more than one is a hassle,i guess you can buy a rubbermaid for him to stay in for the meanwhile but you are going to have to get a water heater too,so he doesnt freeze.

[Kai.]

you still don't really get the picture. My parents won't let me take the turtle to the vet, whether it's te transportation or the money. I'm not really independant, and almost anything i do involves my parents. They wouldn't let me take the turtle to the vet, meaning they won't let me leave the house with the turtle to go see a vet, no matter how i'm getting there or how i'm paying for it. So unless they change their minds, i can't get him to a vet

I do realise that his life is on the line, and i wouldn't still be posting here if i was allowed to take him to the vet. It's not that i'm not taking responsibility for his well being or that i simply don't care.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Then why dont you give him up: www.turtlehomes.org explain that he may be sick and you cant afford vet care,they will take him in and get him treated..

[Kai.]

umm... you still don't get it... if my parents won't bother to take him to the vet despite the fact that i've basically been begging for the m to take him to the vet ever since you told me that it could be life threatening, they won't bother to ship the turtle to this organization... Sorry if I seem really agitated, i'm just really worried for my turtle.

[asemilla]

taking care of any living thing is hard and takes money. i really wish parents would think before they spend money on there kids every want/needs....maybe you should do the right thing by giving up your turts to a good home that will spend them money on a vet without thought....it seems like your little guy needs help and if your parents dont wanna get it the help he needs someone else will.....you should really check out the site savings gave you.

[lotsofpets]

I have no idea whether it is contagious or not.....Donatello lives by himself. I shouldn't say this, but I will anyway. When mine had that problem, all I did was keep his water REALLY clean and gave him plenty of nutritious foods, and kept a very close eye on it. I didn't take him to the vet at that time myself (although a did later on for a different problem), and about a month later it completly went away by itself, and has never came back. What I would do is to watch it really closely, make sure your water stays very clean, and if it gets any bigger or worse is to CONVINCE your parents to take it to the vet. Tell them you will do extra chores and help them out to repay them for the vet visit.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

It shouldnt take much to ship a turtle...let me ask you this,kai.How are you going to afford and be able to take your turtles to the vet in the future if they get sick? I know you are worried and that you care alot for the little guy,but atleast try talking to them about shipping them theyre.Tell them you made a mistake and that they are better off with someone who can afford to take care of them,maybe they will realize its alot of weight off you and theyre shoulders and tell give you the OK.