Urgent Care :: Constant Basking, A little mucus on nose, not eating!

[DearxYouu]

I've had my turtle for about 3 months and he has been perfectly okay until last week. The tank is very clean, I just turned the temp up to 80 because I think he is sick. He has only gone into the water a couple times and when he does he sinks to the bottom and doesn't do anything. I saw him struggling to get back onto the basking area so I helped him up. I have all the right equipment. I've been trying to feed him his staple food but he ignores it, I have also tried shrimp but he just doesn't even look at it!

I thiiink there's a little mucus on his nose. His shell looks fine, my boyfriend thought he was just being lazy but definitely not.

There's also another turtle in the tank and I don't see her interact with him at all so I don't think she's a problem. I've tried feeding him without her in the tank and he doesn't do anything still. The girl is significantly larger than him too. I can't tell if he's grown at all since I got them both.

I don't know what to do. Any suggestions!?

[DearxYouu]

I think I'm going to take him to the vet actually this all sounds like a RI. How much do you think this will cost for the little guy?

[scripta_elegans]

I think taking him to the vet is an excellent choice. From what you have described, your turtle has an RI. As you have a second in the tank, I would take her as well. Turtles can pass viruses back and forth like humans, so she might well have it too, and just not be symptomatic yet. I am in Iowa, but when I had to take three turtles to the vet it was about 45 dollars. It was another 30 for the antibiotics for them. I think I would have paid more in a different area though. Iowa has a fairly low cost of living. Good luck! Keep us posted!

[missibsu]

If you call the vet before you go, they can tell you what the visit is going to cost, and the cost of any medicine that might be given. If paying for it is a problem, check to see if they have a payment plan that you can use. A lot of vets do this, but you have to arrange it with them first.

[DearxYouu]

The only problem is I don't have another place to put the healthy turtle!

[missibsu]

rubbermaid containers are cheap and work really well for temporary set ups. I would move the healthy ones so that you don't add any extra stress.

[DearxYouu]

So I did separate the turtles but unfortunately I just came back from dinner to find Tilly (the ill turtle) on his rock completely limp. I knew it when I walked into the room the tank is in. Tilly has died :'(

[missibsu]

Sorry for your loss. Losing a pet isn't easy. Unfortunately RES can hide their symptoms until it's too late. You're in my thoughts.

[CountryGirl68]

Sorry for your loss. Since you think Tilly may have had RI, it would be a good idea to take the other turtle to the vet anyway to make sure he hasn't gotten sick since both turtles shared a tank.

Keep us up to date on how your other turtle is doing.