Urgent Care :: Lilo and Stitch not growing

[haimish321]

I wasn't screaming at her. I want to but it in caps beacause we just cant get a vet. And so others reading that would know. But she has been the most helpful out af most of the people. She is very kind. So I wouldn't be jumping to opinions, and I am very relaxed after some meditation. LOL! No, obviously, I want them to grow fast so I wont be needing to buy them many tanks. I am capable of caring for them. It is you who will just ruin the mood of anyone by telling them that they cant take care of them, and soon they will feel insignificant. Also so she will know, SPOTSMAMA YOU ARE THE MOST HELPFUL TO ME IN THIS FORUM, DON'T FEEL THAT I AM BEING MAD WITH YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU.

[Safdar]

If you cant afford a vet
Then you cant afford a pet.............

[SpotsMama]

I understand you're in a tight situation haimish and sympathize with that. It's apparent that you care about your turtles - that's why you're on here asking about them. Don't be defensive when someone asks questions - we're just trying to help.

I don't know how old you are but could you do something to earn a little money for your turtles? For example, could you do some extra chores or mow lawns or something? Around here it costs about $20 to get a stool sample checked for parasites. You wouldn't even have to take the turtles in - just the sample. Of course, if it turns out the turtles do have parasites, then they will need medication.

On the diet, I don't think they are starving. If anything, the diet is too high in protein. Too much protein can cause organ damage over the long term so it's important to cut back. The earthworms and especially the shrimp should be treats that are only given every few weeks. The pellets should be a daily thing. Until they are adults, they should get enough pellets every day to fill their heads up if their heads were hollow. In addition, they should get all the green leafy vegetables they want. Once they are adults (around 4") you can cut back on the pellets.

Also, and this is very important, there should be a cuttlebone in their tank to provide calcium for their shells and bones.

The turtles' setup is very basic - meaning they don't have a lot of the benefits that a typical setup has. The container is small - 30 gallons - while for 2 turtles, each 2", it should already be at 40 gallons. And the turtles (hopefully) will grow, so their space needs will grow. There isn't a filter. You can make this work over the short term if you are willing to work hard and do the frequent water changes they need but pretty soon they are going to have to have upgrades.

People have made good low cost homes for their turtles but it takes some work and creativity and even a low cost setup isn't free. Some of the people on here in very similar situations to yours have managed but they've gotten part time jobs or done chores in order to provide for their turtles. You need to think through how you're going to handle this.

That's good about your dog. Just be sure there is no way yoour dog can ever get to the turtles.

[Tenodera]

Please understand that RES are living breathing creatures, ---Life!

They aren't just something you can ignore the care of.

They deserve to be able to go to the vet, if needed.
We aren't trying to be hurtful, but we want to help you and your turtles.

Maybe try talking to your parents about this. Maybe try persuading them to take the turtles to the vet.

Now, I'll confess I didn't read the entire thread, but are your turtles sick?

[SpotsMama]

Ha - by the time I finished my last looong post there were already a whole bunch of other posts on here. I don't take offense at anything. I understand when someone is in a tight situation they feel stress, and sometimes it comes out in their posts.

[marisa]

Try some different brands of pellets rather than just Wardley. Every day they each get 1 earthworm or very small shrimp? How big is the earthworm and how many shrimp at a feeding? Then every day they also each get two pellets?

I feed an earthworm or two (depending on the size) weekly and give shrimp only rarely. On the days I give those foods, they don't get pellets. On the days they do get pellets, I rotate between several different brands. And I offer some plant matter (dandelions, lettuce, but not iceberg), collards, carrot peels, etc.) and cuttlebone.

It would be good to vary the diet more.

[haimish321]

umm the earthworm is about 5 inches, or I give them shrimp about the size of pellets, about 2 per turt. oh ya so everyone knows, my name is linda, i put haimish as a memorial for my nephew...I dont get paid for chores because my parents say I live in the house for free, and have food for free ect. but htey do love me!

[Safdar]

Parents......
I just cant wait till i get a job and start making my own money
ooo that feeling....

Just 1 year

[haimish321]

Me too

[xsavingsaturdayx]

umm the earthworm is about 5 inches, or I give them shrimp about the size of pellets, about 2 per turt. oh ya so everyone knows, my name is linda, i put haimish as a memorial for my nephew...I dont get paid for chores because my parents say I live in the house for free, and have food for free ect. but htey do love me!

Put everything that me/you said on the earlier posts aside, okay? Do you have atleast allowance that you get every week/month? Lunch money? Valueables that you can pawn in? I didnt mean to make you feel 'insignificant' but I was telling it like it is..

You have obviously seen how expensive these animals can be in order to provide an adequate setup for them, right? Well like spotsmama said, even the low budget setups arent free, i know the saying money doesnt buy everything, but in order to keep these turtles happy you are going to need some money and sometimes an extra 100$ to spare.

If you are going to keep them, then first find some cash, i reccomend going to your neighbors house and asking if they need some work done around the yard and that if they do, you will do it and only charge a small fee (i'd say 15$ is reasonable) and do that, if not, pawn stuff in or save up lunch money.

Now lets start with your setup.

You have the right size enclosure for them IMO, however I think instead of trying to make an out of tank basking area with a long steep ramp, try going to a river nearby and try finding some driftwood (boil it for 20 minutes then place it in the tank) or try stacking bricks.

After you got the basking area setup, figure out how they are going to get UVB, obviously you cannot put the tank in direct sunlight because of overheating the tub, so instead, just use a normal heat bulb for them dry out and bask, and take them out 3 times a week for an hour or more to walk around in the yard so that they can get some UVB.

Now, the problem with you not having a filter. It's pretty stressfull to the turtles to take them out of their home every other day, let alone every day (the bigger they get, the quicker they dirty the water and the more cleaning thats going to be needed) so try saving up for a filter (I suggest walmart, they have some decent filters for low price)

And about the diet, yes, too much protein. Feed them pellets everyday as well as greens (vary the diet with different greens though) and offer earthworms once every two weeks. You do not want them to grow fast, well, because you cant afford a bigger enclosure right now and they will just foul the water more often and it will drive you and them crazy. Slow and steady growth is more healthy anyway.

[haimish321]

No allowance. I get luch money I can save that

[xsavingsaturdayx]

You'd be surprised how far a dollar here and there goes. Just follow the advice given to you by all the people on here and save up as much money as you can.

Have you figured out what you are going to do for the suspected fungus issue on your turtle?

[haimish321]

Yes.