Urgent Care :: Almost Drowned and now at Vet

[steve]

I don't think I've heard of brain damage discussed in these situations, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. It's probably a lot of trauma but it's also positive that his legs are not reddish/swollen. In cases when that happens, amputation is sometimes necessary.

[Racer_X_123]

Ok so after talking with my vet again he has advised me to dry dock him with 80-70 degree gradient for about a week to make sure he is strong enough to not drown. He is getting shots every other day of baytril and I can tell he has a respiratory issue.

I expressed my concern about the lack of eating and he said that the turtle could go a week or two with no food. If he has not eaten anything by the end of next week we will give him some food. The vet wants to make sure that his legs work on land where there is no fear of drowning before placing him in water.

I will put him in a small amount of water for about a half hour to see if he eats and to keep him hydrated.

[steve]

Sounds like good advice, I hope he has a speedy recovery.

[Racer_X_123]

So just an update. I have him in a 10 gallon tank with water at 80-82 degrees and he seems to be happy. I put him in the water when I realized that he could swim just fine.

However, he still has not eaten anything... At what point should I tube feed him?

[Love of Animals]

If he's swimming and active that's great. Is he still on antibiotics? Sometimes they will make a turtle not want to eat. If he seems fine I recommend waiting on the tube feeding and just keep encouraging daily to eat. Turtles can go a long time between feedings. Great Job!

[Racer_X_123]

yes he is still on the baytril and I do try to give him food every day. We will see what happens but he is looking much much better,

[lashark11]

AW YAY he's swimming that is so awesome. I hope he eats soon.

[steve]

I believe baytril is know for suppressing appetite. How much longer is he supposed to be on it?

[Racer_X_123]

He has not been on it since the 25th and he has still not eaten. I am starting to worry a bit because it has been so long.

He does not seem interested in the pellets at all... Maybe I will go and buy feeder fish today to give him something to get his interest.

[steve]

Has he seen the vet again?

[Racer_X_123]

No, other than him not eating he is not acting any different that normal at this point.

I still have him the 80-82 degree water (its a 10 gallon tank)... could it be stress? Should I go and put him in the pond outside (his normal home) that is at 75-78 degrees?

[steve]

I would keep him indoors until he's completely back to normal, though a larger setup would be better. How big is the pond?

[zuse]

Any updates on his condition?

My turtle just had a similar crisis. She got checked out within 30 minutes of me finding and rescuing her (benefits of being a vet student with 24-hour access to the hospital). But I've pretty much been told keep her warm, and maybe give her a tiny amount of water to sit in. I decided to take her home to keep a better eye on her through this first night. She was completely limp when I found her. Now, if I pester her enough she pulls her legs and head in. She can't walk yet. I think she was able to get a little bit of air if she really worked for it, but just exhausted herself trying to get loose (her shell was caught). I feel so terrible.

[zuse]

Update: She just decided to turn around and burrow in the towel. I'm feeling way better about her now. She's always had a bit of fight in her and I didn't like seeing her so passive!

[steve]

Sorry to hear about it zuse. Did this just happen today?