Urgent Care :: Please help! Is my turtle still alive?!

[Smssms01]

So I'm sitting here at my keyboard sobbing as I type this...

I just noticed today that one of my RES, when I went to pick him up, had a flexible shell around the edges! I was concerned that it was MBD so I went to the pet store to pick up calcium supplements to feed to him tonight...

Now I look in the tank to feed him and he's sitting under the basking light not moving, with his arms and legs tucked in and his eyes closed...Is his time with us over? Is there anything I should do? Would going to a vet be pointless! Please hurry, and thank-you!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

No, going to the vet will NOT be pointless. Actually, i think going to the vet would be a great idea. Make an apointment ASAP, for right now - boost the water temperature to around 82 degrees and up the basking temps a bit.

Please, get him to a vet..with correct medical attention, he will survive.

Tugg on his leg, does he flinch?

[Smssms01]

No...he's not moving at all, no matter what we do.

I think he's gone for good...?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Dont call it quits yet...try to dip him in the water, see if he moves then. Sometimes they may apear dead, but they are not. If he isnt dead, i would rush him to a emergency animal hospital ASAP

[Smssms01]

Dipping him in water doesn't do anything either...I really don't think he's still alive. NOTHING is making him move...

And my mom is refusing to take him to the hospital...Wish I could drive myself : (

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I honestly dont want to tell you whether he is dead or not. I would hate myself to say one thing, and have another thing happen.. Keep him till someone more experienced comes in..shouldnt take too long..

[grey goose]

Did this come on suddenly? When was the last time he was eating and active? How old is he? How is the other turt doing?

[Smssms01]

I just noticed today that his shell was soft and he was extremely lethargic...I saw him physically eat two days ago, don't know if he ate or not yesterday. He is about 1 1/2 inches (not sure how old that is) and the other turt is doing fine. The other one was always so much larger...I guess he (the little guy) was just not meant to make it : (

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I would take the other one the vet. Its a possibility that whatever your lethargic turtle has, the other one has as well. The earlier you get treatment, the faster, cheaper, and higher survival rate would be..

How is your setup like? Do you have all the basics? UVB, filter, water heater?

[Smssms01]

I really think the other turt should be fine. He's growing at an amazing rate and is extremely active.

We have him in a 20g tank with a filter, heater set to 79F, UVB light, cork log to bask on, some fakes plants. And I don't understand why the little one had a soft shell because we have cuttlebone in the tank much of the time...

A question... I hope this doesn't seem stupid, but will our remaining turtle be grieving over the death of the other? Will he be lonely?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

No. They are solitary animals, they wont realy care. I would still consider taking the other to a vet, but hey..risk it.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Your setup sounds fine. I think hatchlings tend to have softer shells..though

[Smssms01]

Look, if I had it my way I would take BOTH the turtles to a vet this second...it's a thing called parental authority...it's not that I want to "risk it." I would never risk my turtles health if I could prevent it.

[grey goose]

It sounds like the little one was struggling all along. And you're right, sometimes, for no apparent reason, babies just don't make it.....

[Smssms01]

Well, thank-you for all the advice...hopefully, he's crossed the rainbow bridge by now.

Have a nice night