Urgent Care :: white spots, red splotches, always basks, not eating.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

How big is your turtle? About one inch.
How long have you had it? nearly 2 weeks

What is the water temperature? skin temperature
Are you using a water heater? no
How much water is in there? enough to swim in, and a little more.
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? no

What is the basking temperature? a little warmer than skin temperature
Is there a basking light? YES!
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? absolutley.
What kind is it or what is it made out of? It's just a regular old rock... It sticks out of the water, and they both fit on it.
Is there a UVB light? If that's a regular light bulb, than yes.

What have you been trying to feed it? Baby turtle pellets.
When was the last time your turtle ate? I don't know... sometime before we got them. We got them nearly two weeks ago...

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? not very...
Is the tank near a window? sort of... Not realy.
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, but didn't find any perfectly matching.

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Yes, the turtle has red splotches on his/her belly, the shell is starting to get white marks, the neck/head area is swollen, and he dosen't like leaving the basking rock. When I put him in the water, he climbes back on the rock.

[iac637]

What is skin temp.???????

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Well, I have warm hands, so about the same temperature as, well, me.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Yay! Progress has been made. The turtle went into the water!!! (That's where the food is, maybe he'll eat!)

[KalinaBallerina]

I have read your other posts and know that you are doing your best to improve the living quarters for your babies. However, until the water is regulated by a heater, you have good filtration (to help keep the water clean), UVB source, etc. it's going to be difficult to keep your little cuties healthy. I'm afraid to say that red splotches usually indicate septicemia. Can you post any digital pictures? It might be time for a trip to the vet...good luck!

[SpotsMama]

yertle, I hardly know where to begin. Are you talking about both turtles or just one of them?

If your turtle hasn't eaten in the two weeks that you've had him, then he's in trouble. You need to get something in him right away. Here's a link on enticing eating. See if he's interested in something really flavorful to a turtle that will not be part of his regular diet because it's too rich, like boiled chicken or shrimp or a little cat food. Just to get some calories in him.

http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

One of the very first things to do is change the water - turtles must have very clean water and if you're not using a filter and you have a small tank then you have to change it every day.

When you change the water you must check the temperature. You can't tell the water's temperature (or the basking area either) just by how it feels. You have to measure it with a thermometer. You want the water to be about 80 degrees and the basking area to be about 90. But you have to measure with a thermometer to get it right.

You've got to get that sick little one to the doctor. That behavior you're describing doesn't sound right. I can't tell exactly what the disease is but a good vet may be able to help.

Next, though not as urgent as the things above - it does not appear that you have a UVB bulb. A regular light bulb is not a UVB bulb. You have to get a UVB bulb at a pet store and they're kind of expensive. Get a bulb that says specifically that it provides UVB. Some of the bulbs say they are "full spectrum" or that they are "basking" bulbs, but these bulbs do not provide UVB. You have to have two bulbs - one for heat and one for UVB.

If you're just describing the symptoms of one turtle, then how's the other one doing? I hope he/she is doing better. Let me know how it's going. I'm pulling for you and your turtles.

[iac637]

you really need a therm. to regulate the temp. Just because it feels lukewarm to you could mean that its very hot or very cold. YOu don't want to cook or freeze your turtles. You can get a cheap one for like 3 bucks at a pet store .

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

Okay, thanks. We're going to the pet store tomorrow to get the guppie feeder fish, I'll also get a heater and possibly a larger tank, and other needed supplies. Hope I can get mom to buy it... I only have about $2! -_-;;

[SpotsMama]

Good luck!! Maybe your mom will let you do chores or something to help pay for some good equipment.

ps - don't forget a thermometer! You've probably heard enough about that, huh?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Dont waste your time on a tank, its too expensive and your mom well less likely go for it. Instead get a rubbermaid bin (way cheaper..and will leave you with enough $$$ for the rest of the equipment you will need)

I know i told you this many times before but you REALY, realy need to get your turtles out of that tiny critter case. I know your trying your hardest..but two weeks is a long time. To me it sounds like your turtle is starting to get sick, most probably a RI (IMO) On that note, it would probably be best if you were to take both your turtles to a vet..this is what happens when they are kept in poor living conditions. Try to speed things up, man. Tell your mom to join the message board, maybe if she will talk to some of the adults on here, she will take the turtles more seriously and get them what they need.

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

HALLALUA! I JUST GOT A 20 GALLON TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND FEEDER GUPPIES!!!! (My lil bro cried about the guppies being eaten, though... -_-;; )

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Okay, thats good..Did you also remember to get a water heater and the rest of the supplies?

Your turtles will love all that extra space, by the way

[SpotsMama]

Hooray! That's going to make a big difference!

How's the sick little one doing?

And I have to ask - did you get a thermometer?

[yertle_the_girl_turtle]

I think it came in the starter kit. Everything we need, even a light!!! And, the sick one is doing better, although mine has gotten a soft shell from being in the water too much... He might get shell rot, wich I would not realy appriciate. Nor would his buddy, my brother, my dad, or my mom!! I'd rather not loose a turtle to shell rot. I hope he/she lives...

[xsavingsaturdayx]

If it is shell rot then you will have to take it to a vet..

What kind of light is it? I doubt its a UVB light, Is it one of those starter fish tanks that comes with everything (filter,water heater, thermometer) Please make sure you have all of those things mentioned above, It is very vital to your turtles health.