Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Desperate Housewife

[Cat]

Hi,
I'm from Orange Park Florida. My 9 year old son was given a RES a little over 1 year ago (Charlie). A few months later we decided he needed a friend so we got another (Treeco). Both were doing great in their 10 gallon tank with out of tank filter, Basking light, and separate UVA light. I changed their water/filter frequently. I love the Python water siphon. I must have had the water on to hard and the thing exploded shooting water all over our office. I was not a happy Mom/Turtle owner. Especially since I was the only one caring for these turtles. My husband and son were watching the entire Star Wars episodes when I freaked out and went on "strike" from changing the tank(when it got so bad I finallydid change it!) I was still feeding them (they loved eating shrimp I hand fed them off of a fork).
Then they got sick and started make weezing noises. Stopped eating but I thought it was ok because I read they sort of hibernate in the winter. Then one night it seemed like Treeco got stuck under the floating dock. Sure enough he had drowned. This is when my son dropes to his knees and starts to pray"Please God don't let him die". Anyway he died. We had a funeral and all. Si we took Charlie to a Vet. They mostly see Exotic birds but I was told the are the only ones in town to see reptiles. They took a throat culture and called us back saying he had a bacterial infection. We went back to get medicine. He had gained a little weight from the first visit which I thougt was strange We were to adminster two types of meds oraly 2xper day for 1 week. Has anyone ever had to pull a turtles head out, pry open his mouth, and give it medicine by syringe? NOT FUN! I only got 3 days worth
He stopped eating entirely. So we went back for our 3rd visit. He not only lost weight but was lighter than the first time we were there. I'm not sure this Vet knows whats up. She fed him from a feeding tube and said keeping trying with the meds and come back in two weeks. He still won't eat! He just basks on the ledge and occasionally jumps in the water. Is he deppressed his brother is gone? I think he's scared of me now that I have had to pull his head out and force medicine in him! He's not the same turtle he once was. He was very active and not shy at all. If I walked by his tank he would spazz and think he was getting fed. Now he hides from me. I need help. My husband says he isn't paying anymore$$ for the dumb thing to go to a vet. My son is scared Charlie is going to die like Treeco. Atleast he helps me give him the meds. What should I do? I've tried to keep the tank/water at about 80 degrees F. I would really hate to see this guy die.
Someone help me please!

Signed,
Desperate Housewife Cathy Loft

[sonyj]

First, Welcome to the forum and I'm sorry for your loss. I truly hope that Charlie makes it. I recommend doing some reading here and on the main site as to the requirements for keeping a happy, healthy turtle.

Both were doing great in their 10 gallon tank with out of tank filter, Basking light, and separate UVA light.

I really have to disagree with this statement you made. The fact that Charlie is ill proves that he wasn't doing great without the necessary equipment to provide him a healthy living space. There are some very important pieces of equipment that your turtle needs to keep it healthy. A filter is most definitely one of them. Just changing the water when it appears dirty isn't good enough. There are contaminants in the water that you can't see that a filter helps with, after all, this water is where he lives, swims, sleeps, drinks, eats, and urinates. It has to have a filter rated 2-3x's the tank size to be kept at a healthy level.

A basking area where he can completely dry off at is a must, but it will not help completely if not accompanied by the proper lighting. A UVA bulb(heat) helps them thermoregulate their body temperature since they are cold-blooded and aids in digestion of food. A UVB bulb emits UVB rays to help absorb the calcium in their diet to prevent bone and shell disease. Both of these bulbs over their basking area are a must.

If you haven't done so already please look into upgrading his habitat as soon as possible. How big is Charlie? If he's over an inch in length then the 10 gallon tank is already too small. Minimum tank size should be 10 gallons per inch of turtle. A larger tank with all the correct equipment (filter, lights, heater, basking area etc) will help him.

As far as administering his meds, I've heard not to use too much force when trying to open a turtles mouth because you could damage his jaw/mouth. I'm sure others will be along that can help you with this since I've not had to administer medicine to my turtle before. I do know some types of medicine will decrease the appetite. What is the name of his medicine?

As far as diet goes, be sure to read the sticky found in the feeding and nutrition section of the forum. Shrimp should be an occasional treat no more than once a month. A reputable pellet every other day with veggies/plant matter daily should be the staple of his diet.

Turtles are more of a solitary creature in the wild, so I wouldn't imagine that he's depressed that Treeco is gone. More likely his behavior now has to do with his illness.

I hope Charlie feels better soon. Keep us posted.

[Cat]

I definitely have a filter. It's a Zoo Med 501 out of tank filter especially for turtles. I changed his basking dock after Treeco died. He seems to like it better. I also have both heatUVA and UVB lights. Thermometer reads 80 degrees. I really have checked out this site and I did even increase his temp by a few degrees.
I got another dose of meds and this stuff called hydro-life electrolyte drops down yesterday. He ate like the old Charlie last night! Yeah! I gave him another dose today and he ate well again! Hopefully he will be alright.
Thanks for the help

[sonyj]

That's great. I'm glad he's eating. Usually not eating is a sign of stress or illness, so it's good to hear that he's eating again. I know you must be relieved. Keep us posted as to his condition. We'd love to see pics of him when your able to post them.

[buddys_my_turtle]

Welcome to the fourm!