Urgent Care :: please i need some help, anyone.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

i have one red eared slider turtle(baby) and a yellow bellied slider(baby) both living in a 20gallon tank.i am extremely concerned about my red eared, i reckon shes very ill ]= she used to swim around alot and would bask normally and everything, but for almost a week now she BARELY swim's and spends ALL HER TIME on her basking platform.her eye's are kind of swollen and she sorta stopped eating.

my yellow bellied seem's ok though, she's pretty Active when i hold her, but ever since two days ago shes been sleeping alot, and now im worried about her too.i have no animal insurance because of money problems with my family so i dont know what to do, and i dont want them to hurt for any longer.please someone help me, thank you in advance.

<333

[scripta_elegans]

What are the basking and water temps?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

i let them bask outside for about 2 hours in the morning, then 2 hours in the after noon. then before sundown one hour, and the water temperature is pretty ok i guess, i would guess around 75 degrees.

[scripta_elegans]

can you answer these to help us help you?
How big is your turtle?
How long have you had it?

What is the water temperature?
Are you using a water heater?
How much water is in there?
Are you using a water conditioner?
Are you using any filtration?

What is the basking temperature?
Is there a basking light?
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on?
What kind is it or what is it made out of?
Is there a UVB light?

What have you been trying to feed it?
When was the last time your turtle ate?
How big is the tank/pond/enclosure?
Is the tank near a window?
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity?

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

can you answer these to help us help you? yes
How big is your turtle? about two inches
How long have you had it? 2 months

What is the water temperature? 75 degrees
Are you using a water heater? no
How much water is in there? 10 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? no

What is the basking temperature? its direct sunlight
Is there a basking light?no, only a normal light(computer desk light)
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? its a zoomed one i think
Is there a UVB light? no

What have you been trying to feed it? pellets,live guppies,shrimp
When was the last time your turtle ate? today around 3
How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 20 gallons
Is the tank near a window? no, but sunlight gets to it
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? yeah

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?yes, my red eared used to be extremely active but shes been pretty sluggish lately, and my yellow bellied eats normally and swims but for the past 3 days has been sleeping alot

[scripta_elegans]

First of all, the water for little ones should be between 78-80 when they are healthy and 82 if they are ailing. It is really hard to know the water temp without a thermometer. You can get one for as little as a couple of dollars. I'd also get a thermometer for the basking platform, it needs to be maintained around 90 degrees for at least all the day hours they are not outside basking. If the temps are too cold, it can make the turtles lethargic, and sometimes lead to RI.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

ohh, allright well thanks.
do you know anyway that i can (medical) help, without paying?
/=

[grey goose]

Unfortunatly, it sounds like your baby RES and YBS may need a vet. But in the meantime go to the local pet store and get the following:
A heater. It dosent have to have all the bells and whistles, but try to get one that you can adjust. A 25-50 watt job should'nt cost more than $20.
A thermometer. I don't trust the stick-on ones, but since you are strapped for cash, get one (they are very cheap) mount it on the tank, and adjust the heater so it reads about 80F.
A filter. Since you're only dealing with 10 gallons, get a cheap cartridge type. The "Shark" filter goes for about 10 bucks. Right now ANYTHING is better than nothing.
Finally, get a UVB light and a fixture. The fixture you can buy at a Home Depot or similar hardware store. A cheap 18" plastic one will set you back about 8-15 bucks. Don't buy the fixture at a pet store! They start at around $35! In fact, buy the UVB light at the pet store first, (I recommend Reptisun 5.0, gonna set you back about 20 bucks) THEN go to the hardware store and get cheapest fixture that will fit it.
Basking lamp. As long as your "computer desk light" can heat the basking platform to 90F, rig it up so it is safe, (cant fall into the tank) and get any old thermometer to adjust the basking temp, (leave the thermometer on the ramp for about 30 min.) and your in business.
Now a note or two about your care. I don't know what part of the country (or world for that matter) that you are from, but the seasons are changing, so STOP putting your turts outside for sun! Baby turts cannot handle temp. swings, and thats probably why they are starting to shut down on you. If you follow the above advice, they may turn around and improve. But If not, you've got to get them to a vet......
But when they do come around, you'll have tons of questions. So I say "Welcome to the forum!" There are no stupid questions, but lots of great answers, hints, tips, photos etc. from people who have gone thru, or are going thru the same stuff you're going thru now! (Myself included) Good luck.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

thanks me and my gf realy apreciate it, you have no idea how much that helped haha.helped alot more than alot of websites i visited through google.my yellow bellied seems to be doing ok though, i separated my red eared from the tank because shes sick, is that a good idea?ill probably get the stuff on monday, will they be ok till then?

btw my names eddie

[missibsu]

I would leave the res in the tank that he's familiar with and remove the ybs. New surroundings could have added stress and if he's ill, you don't want to add to it.

I would get the needed supplies mentioned above, but a vet visit would still be recommended. Turtles are good at hiding illnesses and their severity. The sooner they are caught and treated, the greater the chance of survival.

[tinkersumx]

Target has nice looking desk lamps for only $7.99, in the dorm section of furnishings. I just got one the other day. If your already have one you can just buy one for the UVB light.

If you dont have a reptile supply store (usually the cheapest) PetSmart is a little cheaper than PetCo.

I found a great deal at this store on lights www.lllreptile.com
I got the Zoo Med Compact Fluorescent 10.0 UV Bulb but the 5.0 would be fine too.

If you need a basking light this is the a great one for the money ($6.99)


I have this thermomater it works GREAT!:

It was $2.49 at PetSmart

You should really get water conditioner:

Also at PetSmart $5.49

[grey goose]

Hi Eddie,
Well, the trick now is keeping them warm. At the very least, keep them away from any drafts. Cover the tank if you can, not compleatly, but enough where you can keep the temp. stable. 80F is good, but dont over do it . 82F is the max. But you have to get and keep them warm, thats the best thing right now. If they are still eating, and moving around, you might be ok, and if you get the stuff I recomended, they may snap out of it. But now is the time to do your homework. Read ALL the stickeys, ask questions, check the forums on any topic that might pertain to your particular situation and go from there. I don't know why, but I got a good feeling about your turts, I think you may have caught this in time where new pals just might make it......

[xsavingsaturdayx]

thank you = D

im going to get it RIGHT AWAY ASAP TOMMOROW.
i have about 40 bucks to spend, i think thats enough for a water heater & water conditioner + heat lamp.

thank you all i will keep you posted on how bulbasaur(red eared slider) & sharkk(yellow bellied slider) are doing.

<3

[grey goose]

Well, I've nothing to do all weekend (thank you god) except wash the 'ol buggy, let me know how you make out. Any Q's, just post 'em, if I don't answer, someone will...

[CountryGirl68]

Welcome, Eddie. Sorry to hear about your turtle. About the vet, you can call several vets in your area. You need to find a herp vet and maybe you can explain to them that you are strapped for cash. Some vets care enough about animals that they'll allow a payment plan.