Urgent Care :: turtle not eating

[edm3229]

I have had my turtle for about 2 months..it was kinda scared of me when i 1st got it and wouldn't eat around me then it started eating pellets like crazy..
The water temp is about 78 and the basking temp is about 85. It hasn't eating in about 5 days..the season has just changed and it has gotten a bit colder outside and his tank sits kinda close to a window so it has been harder to keep the temp regulated and i dont have a heater. he also has a liittle bit of white stuff around his mouth and he keeps his back legs streched out when he isn't moving.. still swimming fine though. I need help..

[cam722]

You really should have a heater to regulate the temperature. When the temperatures get too cold it will put your turtle into hibernation and they won't eat or be active. They should have a constant water temp of around 78. I'm not sure about the white stuff but it sounds like it may be some sort of fungus. It's also not a good thing to keep your turtle by a window .. the sunlight that comes through doesn't help them at all as it's filtered out by the glass... and there's also the risk of drafts etc that can make the turtle sick. Keep us updated.

[edm3229]

what do you you think i should do about the fungus or white stuff around his mouth.

[edm3229]

my turtle has white stuff around its mouth it hasn't eaten in a couple of days do you have any suggestions

[steve]

If the white stuff is not skin, then I would get them to a vet. It could be mucous or a fungal infection. Can you wipe it off?

[edm3229]

yes i can wipe it off it normally stays gone for about a day and then comes back he doesn't want to eat.. and sometimes his back side floats when he is in the water.. if it is a musous or fungal infection how can i treat it.

[marisa]

Does he have any other symptoms (open-mouth breathing then out of the water, wheezing, frequent yawning, swollen eyes, for example?

Can you look inside his mouth? If you can, you do notice any mucus/white matter? What color is the inside of his mouth (should be pink).


The best treatment you can give him is to get a water heater and take him to a herp vet to determine what the problem is.

Until you get him to a herp vet, up the water temp to 80-82F (get that water heater) and raise the basking area temp to around 90F. The added warmth will rev up his immune system and may help his appetite. But take him to a herp vet...

[edm3229]

i went last night and got him a heater i have it about 82 and i the basking is about 90. i called several vets today and none of them worked with turtles..i am going to call some more tomorrow.. he is breathing out of his mouth some in the water. i can't see in his mouth. i can tell he is really weak. he is still swimming side ways. i have tried feeding him his food and also lettuce i red that you can feed them grapes...do you think the smell of the grapes he might like..

[missibsu]

My turtles love grapes, but like a lot of fruits, they are high in sugar. It would be ok to get him to eat something, just don't over do it.

Also, there is a list of vets here in the urgent care section, check the stickys.

[edm3229]

he is back on his rock now.. he tried getting on it earlier and fell trying to get up so i helped him up on it and now he is asleep. i guess i better not bother him right now.. maybe it is just a cold or something and he will get to feeling better... my friend has a turtle and she said it went 2 weeks without eating and now it is fine,

[marisa]

If he's ill, try to get some nourishment in him. You could also get some liquid vitamins (try Poly-Vi-Sol, which are for infants and children; you can get them at places like WalMart). Feed him in a separate container of water and add the vitamins to it. He'll get some of them when he drinks the water.

If the water level is deep and he's really weak, you might lower it so he doesn't have to expend as much energy swimming. (Not less than a bit more than the width of his shell though.)

Healthy turtles can and sometimes do a couple of weeks without food. Your turtle, however, is exhibiting other symptoms that sound like something is wrong. RIs (colds) do not go away by themselves when they get to a certain point, and just hoping he'll get better isn't going to help him. Look at the third post from the top in the Urgent Care Section for links to herp vets to find one near you. Good luck.

[edm3229]

you were talking about putting ploy vi sol in the water.. how much do i need to put..

[missibsu]

I believe it is a 50/50 mix with water...but I'd wait for a second answer to confirm that.

[edm3229]

if i put him in this vitamin water how long should i keep him in there before putting him back in his tank... cause i dont have a light on the little container i am going to put him in..

[marisa]

Put a few squirtfuls in the water (not a 50/50 mix). Try to maintain the water temp of the water in the feeding container the same as in the tank. Try to feed him something he'll like, something smelly or live. I can't tell you exactly how long to keep him in---you're going to have to use some judgement. When the water cools, if he's not showing interest in the food, take him out.

Don't think this is a substitute for taking him to a herp vet. You're trying to keep up his strength until you get him to a herp vet...