Urgent Care :: I just need some information..

[OzzsChick]

Franklin has been acting very strange since about the 2nd or 3rd day that I brought him home.
He has not been eating, he's lethargic, and even when I put him in the water he doesn't move.
Thankfully, I am really blessed to have a DVM as a good friend. He came by the other night to have a look at him. At that point Franklin had just slown down but was still moving around. My friend told me to wait one more day, because it could be an effect of bringing him home to a new place. So I got up this morning and the same thing. He was not eating nor was he swimming.
So I called my vet friend and he referred me to a reptile specialist. I have an appointment tomorrow at noon.
I am totally new to turtles (and reptiles for that matter). Could someone please tell me what they are likely to do as far as an exam?
And if it's an RI how much will it cost me? (In general I know it depends on the area and everything)
BTW Franklin is probably 1 1/2 inches.

[steve]

hi, can you answer some of these questions: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2142

What is the water temp? Does he show any interest in food? Even if he doesn't eat, does he sniff it? I would try some of these options ASAP: www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

[OzzsChick]

*Please be aware that in Mexico there are hardly any products for reptiles. I am waiting on an order from the U.S.*

How big is your turtle? 1 1/2 inches
How long have you had it? Since Thursday

What is the water temperature? 78 degrees
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? 1/4 of the tank
Are you using a water conditioner? No (purified water)
Are you using any filtration? Not at the moment. I am waiting to exchange it tomorrow for a smaller one at the vet.

What is the basking temperature?
Is there a basking light?
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on?
What kind is it or what is it made out of?
Is there a UVB light?
*Again....waiting for the order from the U.S.*

What have you been trying to feed it? Turtle sticks
When was the last time your turtle ate? I guess Thursday. The day that I bought him.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 5 gallons. (he's in "the sick tank") Normal is 10 gallons.
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No

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 eating, sleeping all the time, can't flip himself over, won't move at all most of the time, when I put him in the water he just floats, and when I let him bask in the sunlight he moves his head only slightly.

[DavidY]

That doesn't sound good at all. At that size he should be very active even if he's frightened or stressed from the move to a new home. He must have been sick when you bought him but wasn't showing enough symptoms yet. He definitely should be seen by a reptile vet. Make sure to give the vet bill to the store you bought him from.

[SpotsMama]

I'm sorry to say but it sounds like a sick turtle to me. When they move into a new home, especially when they are very small, they normally are very skittish and nervous, not lethargic. Lethargy is a key symptom of an illness.

Until you see the vet, keep him warm (80 or 82 degree water), keep the water very clean, avoid stress and try to get him to eat. While he's ill, you can go ahead and offer him treats like shrimp or boiled chicken that you would normally only give him on rare occasions, just to get some calories in him.

I haven't had first hand experience with a sick turtle so don't know what the exam would be like, but if your turtle has RI, which is pretty common, the treatement is a round of antibiotics. The cost will depend on where you are and the vet. You can call ahead and ask - the vet should be able to give you some idea.

Good luck. Keep us posted. You didn't do anything to cause this - it's something that he caught before you got him. Unfortunately it's not uncommon for people to get their new turtles home only to find that they are ill because they weren't kept in sanitary conditions before. It's a real shame.

[marisa]

If your turtle has classic symptoms of an RI, he'll most likely be given antibiotics (may sure the vet instructs you in how to administer them or any meds for that matter). One of my turtles recently went to the vet for an unspecified ailment (not an RI). Aside from a visual check, some of the things the vet did were look in his mouth, feel his limbs to see bone formation, swab his eyes, and ask me tons of questions about his care. I later brought in a stool sample to be checked. It really depends on what the vet thinks needs to be done...

I don't understand---what are you changing for a smaller one at the vet's, a filter?

Was your turtle exposed to any cool breezes/drafts between where you bought him and getting him home? Did he eat when you brought him home and then stopped eating?

Good luck at the vets.

[OzzsChick]

Yes a smaller filter. But I bought a huge rubbermaid tub today for my other baby Harriet (and of course Franklin too if he gets better) so I can use the larger filter now.
I am pretty devastated at the moment. I took Franklin in and the vet looked him over. He listened to his breathing, checked to see how he floated, checked his legs, and his eyes. The vet told me that my little one is more than likely dying, but he is going to keep Franklin in his office for a week to see if he can regulate him. If not Franklin will have to be humanely euthanized. I will keep you updated.

[DavidY]

I'm sorry to hear that. Well he's getting the best care possible right now and that's good. You're doing the right thing. It's a shame but the baby turtles can be very delicate sometimes. And the breeders, distributors and retailers are almost always completely inept at taking care of them properly. So by the time it gets to the individual buying the turtle it's already been through an incredible amount of stress and unhealthy conditions. A lot of them are already sick (like it sounds yours was) before you even buy them.

Well it sounds like you're on your way to setting up a very nice home for Harriet and for Franklin if/when he comes home.

[OzzsChick]

I am having a blast watching Harriet. She is sun bathing at the moment. But it makes me miss Franklin even more. The vet agreed to let me exchange Franklin (if he passes) for a hatchling of his. Wonderful guy!

[DavidY]

Wow, that is a really nice vet! Where did you get your turtles from originally? If it was a pet store you should be able to have some recourse (like stick 'em with the vet bill).

[industrial_girl_2000]

What a cool vet!!! Best wishes for Franklin. Hope he recovers soon!

[marisa]

Sorry to hear that. When they're small like that and they're ill, the odds are against them. But you're doing all you can. I really hope Franklin makes it.

[OzzsChick]

Well, I bought him at an open air market. I couldn't help it really. He was in a 1 gallon tank, with an inch of water, and about 20 other hatchlings.
The vet says that Franklin was sick when I bought him in the market. The way I see it...he had a great life with me.

[OzzsChick]

Well I got the news today that my little one has pneumonia. The vet told me that he is doing all he can, but doesn't think that Franklin is going to pull through. He was very sick when I bought him.
Poor little guy.

[SpotsMama]

I so sorry he's so ill. Keep a very close eye on Harriet. These sorts of infections are very contageous. The ones that are able to pull through are usually treated early on and aggressively, so if she starts showing any sign of illness, better get her right in.