Urgent Care :: turtle almost drowned. please help!

[daniella]

I bought my baby turtles in China town a few months ago...I gave them a good home..but unfortunately I came back from spending a day away from them, and noticed my turtle somehow moved the rock, and got stuck in between the rock and the glass. I removed dthe rock quickly, and my turtle just floated there..then a few seconds later it took a big gasp of air. I picked him up and he was pretty much lifeless. I talked to him the entire night (i know that sounds insane, but it really did work) and i blew on his face, which always made him take a big breath of air. When i first started helping him, he had a white film over his eyes...which is now gone. And he is also able to move all of his legs and arms. I seperated him from my other turtle, and noticed a big change in my other turtles behavior. For the first time, he didn't eat...i didn't know if it's because he knew something happened and miss the other turtle or what? But anyways...I don't know how smart turtles are, but now I am afraid that my turtle that almost died is a little brain dead. He's just...slower I guess now. I cleaned the water in the bigger tank, and tried putting them back together. At first, he was swimming around like crazy and I thought it was a good idea that i put them back together. Now, he just floats around, barely swims...and he always seems to try to sleep. I'm really not sure what to do. I fixed the cage around to make sure nothing like that happens again (i feel terrible) and not only am i worried about my turtle who almost died, but the other one that I have. I know i should probably take my turtle to a vet...I however am a poor college student, who is away from home. I am going home in a week so I will try to see what I can do. Any advice? Has this ever happened to anyone?

[daniella]

sorry i am back again. I just noticed my turtle threw up?? It looked like the food, but he hasnt eaten since yesterday. Last night after he got a little better, he pooped a lot too in the little tank i kept him in (is that a good sign?) It's weird..whenever i take him out and hold him he walks around on my hand like everything is fine. Then when he is back in the water he just floats there.

[emma]

Read through these- http://www.redearslider.com/major_illne ... uries.html . You should take your turtle to a vet as soon as possible.

[mikee]

dannella -- If he survives the next day or so he will be fine. If he is up chucking and pooping he will be very hungry soon. Raise the temp to about 80 degrees and see if he doesn't eat then. The little boogers can get into the darnist places. Good Luck!!

[daniella]

do you think my turtle could have possibly contracted an RI? Or is just acting strange because he almost drowned. I noticed his shell is a little soft. I am so worried. I really don't think he is going to make it. I hate for my other turtle to be alone, so I am thinking about purchasing another one. If however, my turtle does make it..will it be okay if I have three baby turtles together?

[octpusgirl8]

How many turtles you can have together depends on the turtles and the tank you have them in. If you have a too-small tank they will probably fight and possibly hurt each other. Even if you have a big enough tank, sometimes they still don't seem to get along. If this one doesn't make it i wouldn't get another unless you're willing to provide 3 complete setups for adult turtles if the worst happens and they don't get along. I hope your little guy pulls through though, you must be worried sick. I'll keep him in my thoughts tonight.

[SpotsMama]

Daniella, I think your turtle may have contracted an RI. He sounds pretty sick. Raise the water temperature where he is to around 80 or 82 degrees to try to stimulate his immune system. Avoid stressing him. Don't pick him up at all unless you have to. When you pick him up he gets nervous and that uses up some of his energy, which he doesn't have enough of right now. Keep him very clean. Try to get him to eat. If he won't eat regular food offer him something like tuna or shrimp that turtles usually love.

He really needs to see a vet. Today is Saturday so the soonest you could get him in would be Monday. If he's not a whole lot better by Monday you need to take him in. Maybe the vet will let you pay out the bill over time.

On getting another turtle - I would strongly (very strongly) recommend against it at this time. Turtles don't get along well together over the long term. We get lots of questions on here about what to do because one turtle has attacked the other or bitten the other and the injuries are serious. Turtles don't get lonely for the company of other turtles - they are perfectly content to have all your attention just for themselves.

We do have people on here that keep more than one turtle successfully. However, they generally have been taking care of turtles for a long time and understand about the expense and space required for multiple turtles and have the means and time to do it. Think about it. When a turtle grows up if she's a female she will be 10" to 12" inches long so will require a 100 to 120 gallon tank. If you had two trying to share the same tank, that would be 200 to 240 gallons (gigantic) tank. If you had three - well, they don't even make tanks that big. Besides, what most people wind up doing - because they have to because the turtles fight if they're in the same tank - is separate them and maintain entirely separate aquariums. For two turtles that means two filters, light setups, heaters, twice as much maintenance, etc. It requires a lot of money and time.

[daniella]

alright. As of now, in order for him to stay in warmer water and under a light..i put him back in the big tank with the other turtle. Will my other turtle get sick?

I'm noticing too that the turtle that almost died has been bobbing his head. Right now he is under the light sleeping. This happened at such an awful time. I live in nyc, have no money, and have finals all this week so I really don't know how I will get him help until I move back home for break (which is in 6 days. He also has to endure a 7 hour car ride home..) I hope he makes it... sorry for asking so many questions.

[megcornell]

If the one has an RI it's contagious, so keeping them together is not a good idea. Even a rubbermaid container will make an okay temporary set up until you can get to a vet.

[SpotsMama]

I'm so sorry all this has happened daniella. We'll be pulling for you and your little turtle. Let us know how it goes.

[MableAndLynn]

How scary! How is he doing?