Urgent Care :: RES DYING

[LINDAMO]

I had 3 sliders we kept them outside for the winter we put dirt in the pond covered it with insulation and when we opened it they were fine (we live western washington) All of a sudden the smaller one ( about 4") started getting white looking fuzz on his eyes and mouth, he died. Then the larger female stared to get the white fuzz but it stop and her eyes just look swollen, she died. Now I have 1 large male left he looks ok but now i am just waiting for this one to die,any idea what happed to the others?

[Take-One]

Well probably some sort of infection. Did your female get it while your first turtle had it?

[jenaero]

I'm thinking it was a problem with hibernation. The conditions were less than ideal

[TheComputerGremlin]

It almost sounds like mold of some type, which seems weird on a living creature. Don't wait for the last one to die, get him to a vet ASAP and explain what happened to the other two. It's not recommended to allow your captive RES to hibernate because we as owners cannot provide the best of conditions for hibernation.

[marisa]

It does sound like some type of infection brought on by the stress of hibernation.

Had you let them hibernate them before? Your description of what you did to prepare them does not sound adequate.

Even though he looks OK now, it really would be good to have him checked out by a herp vet.

[LINDAMO]

Saddly we tried to save them from someone just letting them loose on the beach no less. They were in a 100 gallon tank for 3 1/2 yrs we got them about this time last year. So this was the first time for them to winter outside. And the female was not the first one to go it was the smaller of the two males. It makes me sad that they are dying when all we were trying to do was help them.

[LINDAMO]

Thank You all for your ideas on this matter .

[megcornell]

If the third does survive, do not try to let him hibernate again this winter.
You definitely need to get him to a vet ASAP.

[LINDAMO]

Will just any vet treat him?

[octpusgirl8]

Try to find a herp vet, one that has special knowledge and experience with reptiles. A regular vet would be better than no vet it you can't find a specialist.

[LINDAMO]

Will it help if the water and the weather warms up. He has been out basking him self.

[octpusgirl8]

It will be good for him, but not a cure by any means. Get him to a vet if at all possible.

[LINDAMO]

Thank You I will look into it . Thanks everyone

[octpusgirl8]

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[Bascomb]

Lamo -- stick the the lighting, temps and clean water for a start. Good Luck