Urgent Care :: Sick turtle

[darlynn4444]

I live in a rural area with no vet care or pet store available...our last one got shut down 2 months ago. I have a baby turtle...not sure of age...I have had him for 4 months and he was very small when I got him. The edges of his shell have become soft and pliable and when he swims he seems to have no power on one side so he swims sideways, ends up on his back frequently, and often does circles. I have him in a 20 gallon tank with a basking area and lights. His water temp is kept warm. I feed him turtle pellets, vegies, and occasionally tuna. He eats well still...just doesn't seem to do alot of other activity and I am concerned about his shell. I have seen other postings referring to giving them calcium. I have powdered calcium I use with my bearded dragon but I don't know how to give it to Tommy since he won't hand feed. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[jenaero]

First, what are the exact basking and water temps? What kind of lighting are you providing? (uvb is a must). When my turts were small, I'd crush cuttlebone, not into dust, but bite size pieces and they'd eat that for calcium. For baby turtles, a pliable (not soft) shell is normal and will harden with age.

How far away is the nearest vet? There is a sticky posted here for finding vets in canada so check that out. Is he breathing thru his mouth at all? The fact that he's still eating is good.

[darlynn4444]

His basking temp is aprox 85F and the water is 80F. Yes I have UVB. His shell is very soft only along the edges and on one side it even looks bent. I don't mess with it though cause I don't want to hurt him. The nearest vet that knows about turtles is over 3 hours away. How do I tell if he is breathing thru his mouth? This site is awesome...so glad I found it...you guys do a great job...thanx!!!

[jenaero]

He'd be breathing with his mouth open. Check out these links http://www.redearslider.com/index_health_2.html

http://www.redearslider.com/index_health_4.html

http://www.redearslider.com/index_health_3.html

Until you get it figured out, bump the basking temp up to 88-90.

If you called the vet and gave a detailed decription of the problem, they may be able to give you info over the phone for things you could do.

[marisa]

Aside from contacting a herp vet, is it possible for you to order a powdered calcium supplement on-line? What pellets are you feeding him?

What UVB light are you using (brand)? How often do you replace it?

[darlynn4444]

Thanks for the great advice...finally got to a vet after reading it was RI and got Baytril...now the trick is to figure out how to get the liquid medicine into him...any ideas???

[jenaero]

Did the vet not show you how to do the injections?

[darlynn4444]

I am not to inject the medicine...I am to give it orally...she tried to give it to him but he wouldn't take it so she said I would have to fight with him at home to do it

[jenaero]

wow that stinks. Maybe put it on something smelly like tuna? I've never had to medicate a turtle... Is it liquid form or powder or what? if it's liquid, you could put it in an eye dropper and get his mouth open (gently) with a toothpick and see if you can get it in. If it's powder (not even sure if it's made that way) you could roll a worm in it and hand feed him. Sorry I can't be of more help. Good luck!

[darlynn4444]

It is liquid form...he is still very tiny so he doesn't eat alot. I will try the toothpick...have been trying to get him to open mouth with a paper clip like the vet suggested but it hasn't worked. Thanks for the help given today. Let me know if you come across any other suggestions.

[marisa]

Since he's really tiny, also try the toothpick alone. I'd soften the end a bit and try to get a drop of it in that way. You can also try a pipette (it's a type of syringe that's used to for testing that's smaller than an eyedropper--some water testing kits include them). Draw a little of the Baytril into it and see if you just can't get that into his mouth and give a tiny squirt. Be careful, though, if the liquid goes into the wrong tube, it's easy for him to choke.

If he'll still eat pellets, try cutting a pellet into smaller pieces and putting some of the liquid on them. Baytril often surpresses the appetite, though, so don't be surprised if he stops eating. Good luck.

[darlynn4444]

Ok don't know if this is a stupid question or not....if I put the Baytril on the pellets will he still get any of it since he will only eat in water??? Also the vet said the stuff tastes really bad. I called the vet again today since I still can't get him to open his mouth (the toothpick didn't work either) to see if they could give him an injection of something but they said he is too small. I feel really bad cause I am afraid he is going to die if he doesn't get this medication.

[daredevilgirl013]

My turtle likes to bite washcloths. I was drying him off one day and he bite it as if it was food. Maybe trying holding that up close to him and I don't really know how well this will work or not, drop some of that stuff onto the washcloth and let it absorb it and go into the turtles mouth since that liquid would be like water to him and he can swallow.

It's just an idea and I can't promise it'll do anything but it might help. And since this stuff tastes nasty maybe, (another idea that may not work) get some worms and let them soak in it or inject it into them and then let the turtle eat them.

These may be bad ideas but they may work to.

[darlynn4444]

I'm willing to try anything...thanks!

[marisa]

Have you tried tapping his jaw lightly with your finger, or even a cotton swab? Sometimes it will irritate them so that they open their mouths. Then try to get a little of the Baytril in the mouth. (Consider looking for that pipette.)