Feeding and Nutrition :: calcium shot

[aon]

Hi, my turtle is about 1 inch and a half and i was wondering if he can get a calcium shot? his shell is kinda soft, is it ok for him to get a calcium shot? I've read on here somewhere that it was ok for him to get a shot at that size, but the vet told me you cant give a turtle that small a shot, how much will the calcium shot be?

by the way my turtle is currently taking antibiotics because he has RI but is it ok to get a calcium shot at this time?

[BullDog]

When RES are small, (under a year old), their shells are slightly pliable. One of the best forms of calcium is cuttlebone. Try that before you go for a shot. I'm not sure, but I have heard that many vets won't give a shot to a turt that small. I can imagine it would be difficult!

Also, does your turtle have a proper basking area (heat + uvb) and is he basking? That's important for a strong shell.

Hope he has a speedy recovery from RI

[aon]

do you know if during the recovery process of RI, he will still have those symptons right?

[steve]

What kind of treatment is he receiving?

[aon]

antibiotics from the vet

[industrial_girl_2000]

I wouldn't do the antibiotics AND a calcium shot. Antibiotics are very stressful for a turtle's body.

I would supplement his tank with the cuttle as everyone on here has already said. Also, just make sure you have the proper UVB/UVA lighting in the tank.

Small turtles have more pliable shells (especially around the tail area)...that's normal until they reach around 3 inches in length.