Urgent Care :: hibernating?

[RESashley]

I have recently gotten two young RES turtles. One is extremely active and loves to eat and swim. The other sleeps 95% of the day on the basking rock and I haven't seen him eating. Is it possible he is in hibernation mode or should I be concerned about other health issues?

How big is your turtle? 4 inches
How long have you had it? 2 weeks

What is the water temperature? 76
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 15 gal.
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 80
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? foam... Vet Med brand?
Is there a UVB light? no

What have you been trying to feed it? turtle pellets, crill, minnows
When was the last time your turtle ate? unknown

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 20 gallon tank
Is the tank near a window? yes
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms: One turtle lethargic, one hyperacative

[SpotsMama]

I'm afraid lethargy is one of the chief signs of illness. Your turtle isn't going into hibernation mode - it's not near cool enough. Besides, if it were cool enough for one to hibernate it would also be cool enough for the other. It's normal for new turtles to be nervous and jumpy. Usually they run and hide whenever they see you coming until they get very used to you.

Poor appetite is another sign of illness. Other signs to look for are swollen eyes, breathing with the mouth open or yawning a lot, mucus around the mouth or nose, swimming lopsided or trouble submerging. Also, diarrhea.

You should separate your lethargic turtle from the other one as lots of turtle illnesses are contageous and you sure don't want two sick ones. Until you can get him to a vet, keep him warm (water temperature 82 degrees), very clean and avoid stressing him unless you have to (for instance, don't pick him up unless you need to.) Try to entice him to eat. Until he's well, you can offer him things to eat that are normally reserved for treats like tuna and shrimp, just to get some calories in him.

Then you'd better start looking for a vet. Make sure the vet knows about reptiles (or herps). Sometimes they advertise that they treat "exotics". Here's my standard caution for anyone who'se going to take a turtle to see a vet: : If the vet offers to give a vitamin A shot, first make sure the vet is positive your turtle really needs vitamin A and then discuss other alternatives to shots with the vet like eye drops with vitamin A, cod liver oil or food supplements. Several turtles have recently had very bad reactions to vitamin A shots and I think it's best that if vitamin A is needed (and often it's not) the safer methods be used instead.

Good luck. Keep us posted on how it goes. I'll be thinking of you and your little turtle.

[RESashley]

I have seperated the turtles and cleaned out the main tank to do what I can to keep the healthy turtle (Squirt) healthy. I also called the pet store where I purchased the turtles, since I have only had them a week, and they have offered to exchange the sick one (Crush). I hate to do this but would really like to start out my turtle experience with healthy pets. Should I just keep the healthy turtle by himself, or go ahead and get another second turtle? I have gotten mixed messages on how much they may or may not appreciate having tank mates or would rather be alone.

[RESashley]

PS...
I forgot to ask also... I will have the sick turtle for several more days until he can make the return trip back. I have been trying to tempt him with all sorts of food, adn gave him his own basking light to keep in warm. Any other suggestions to keep him comfy over the next few days?

[marisa]

I have to say I have really mixed feelings about this. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, and the decision is yours, but if he's sick and you return him, he will have no chance at all...He's not showing any improvement with the added warmth? How warm are you keeping the water? How warm is he being kept at night?

I would not get another turtle to try to replace Crush or to give the other turtle a "friend".

[RESashley]

I haven't seen any improvement and have not been able to get him to eat. Let me describe more of my observations to see if anyone has other adives to get him to turn around. I don't want to give up on him.
The water is at 75 and the basking at 82, and I am leaving it on all night now to keep him that warm constantly. He rarely opens his eyes at all, but does not have mucus build up around his eyes, nose, or mouth. He tends to bob his neck and head at times as he is breathing. If he is touched, he gives a weak hiss but does not struggle. He is always asleep. I have also noticed that there is a small cut on the back of his neck just under the shell that appears to be healing. Is it safe to use an ointment on him to help him heal? I have also tried giving him sulfa dips to fight of bacteria or fungal infection. If anyone has any other suggestions let me know.

[marisa]

The water temp should really be warmer, more like 82F. The basking area should be more like 90-91F. Can you get him a little water heater? You could also keep less water in the container so it would stay warmer from the light. A red heat light could be used at night to provide warmth without the light.

You could try applying some plain cod liver oil on the eyelids with a q-tip in case a Vit A deficiency is involved. Once or twice a day for several days should show some improvement if there is.

His bobbing head---does he breath with his mouth open?

You can apply some Neosporin or Polysporin on the cut.

I wouldn't bother with the sulfa dips---they might help if his shell had a fungal or bacterial infection, but not really if the infection is internal. Will he eat at all? If you feed him in a separate container of water, mixing it with Pedialyte would provide him with electrolytes and help keep him hydrated.

I know you'd rather not, but having him seen by a herp vet would still be good...

[RESashley]

Thanks for the advice again. I will try some of your suggestions and see if he perks up. Thanks agian.

[RESashley]

no, he doesn't breath with his mouth open.