Urgent Care :: Infection???

[rocket_pilot]

I bought two turtles about 3yrs ago from the streets so they were about the size of half dollar coins, now they've grown significantly, or so I presume, and have had decent health until now. I noticed today (12/07) that the female turtle wasn't swiming much in the tank. For the most part she hardly moves and prefers to bask however I took a good look at her and right where the shell meets the skin around her legs and neck it's inflammed. It doesn't look as if she can comfortably shrink into her shell or swim. Prior to this, she's had no odd behaviors, she eats well basks during the day and for the most part swims once the sun's gone down. I was wondering if this might be a fungal infection? Or does this require a vet's attention?Plz help.

Stats:

How big is your turtle? 4’’
How long have you had it? aprox. 3 yrs

What is the water temperature? (?) warm
Are you using a water heater? No
How much water is in there? 10 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? No

What is the basking temperature? 70º F
Is there a basking light? No
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Zoo Med (some type of plastic)
Is there a UVB light? No

What have you been trying to feed it? Pellets, ReptoTreat gammarus (sun-dried shrimp), lettuce
When was the last time your turtle ate? It eats once a day

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 40 gallons
Is the tank near a window? Yes
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? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Female turtle has developed inflamed, puffy, and baggy skin around neck and legs.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

70 degrees is WAY to cold for a basking spot and it is very..very important that you know what is the temperature of the water,water heaters are a must!
For a red ear slider that big the water should be 75 degrees farenheit nothing less than that.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

I would take her to a vet asap,i would also get a good filter to keep the water clean and a water heater,also you shouldnt put a tank near the window it can burn your turtle by getting the water realy warm.And you should look into basking lamps..

[flutterby]

First, you need to have a thermometer for the water, warm is not a measure of the temperature they need, warm for us may be too hot for them. Second, the tank size is too small, there should be 10 gallons per inch of shell which means that you need a bare minimum of 80 gallons if the turtles are the same size. The basking area should be about 90 degrees to encourage them to bask.

Is it possible for you to post pictures that way we can tell what we're dealing with.

[industrial_girl_2000]

You definitely need to get a water heater for her & start making sure the temperature is good in the water & the basking area. I know other people have told you that already so I won't elaborate on that point.

One other thing to keep in mind is that sometimes an RES's skin can literally turn pinkish-red around their arms/legs/neck when they have been sitting in one spot for a very long time. It's normal due to the blood just pooling up when they don't move much. If you notice the pinkish/red color go away once the turtle hops in the water & starts swimming again, then it isn't an inflammation. I don't say this to disregard your turtle's symptoms, I just say this so that you don't think the skin always looks green/yellow. Sometimes it will look red/pink, but the difference is that the redness goes away when they move again.

Can you post a picture of this inflammation condition? Does the red color go away when the turtle hops back in the water & starts swimming or is the skin red/pink all the time?

FYI: saggy skin is normal for some turtles (like mine since she is an adult RES, obese, & old). Mine has had this since she was about 7"-8" long, so she wasn't that old when she started getting a big saggy. The following picture isn't the best one (I'll have to get a few more to illustrate what I am talking about), but it shows some of the saggy/wrinkly skin between her neck & arms. I'll try to get some more shots of the skin around her legs, which is saggy due to her being a bit obese.

[rocket_pilot]

Thanks so much. no the inflamtion doesn't go away when she goes into the water, I'll try 2 post a pic. as soon as I get home. thanks though, I'll go buy the stuff.

[CountryGirl68]

As a precaution, try to get the water temperature to 80 degrees - warmer water helps boost the turtle's immune system. Get your basking temp to at least 90 degrees. And as soon as possible, take her to a herp vet.

[marisa]

Inflammed from the skin being rubbed on the shell? If she can't fit into her shell comfortably, she may be a overweight...Do the legs seem bloated from excess water as opposed to just being chunky? A picture would be helpful.

If she starts showing any other symptoms, definitely take her to a vet.

[Kallistos]

You say they're in a 40 gallon and only have 10 gallons filled? I'd reccomend that you add some more water so they can swim more. Make sure the water stays extra clean until that infection heals.

[rocket_pilot]

Thanks. I plan to take her on Monday, but for now I've noticed that she inflames only at night, although it's drastically gone down now. Could it have been from the lack of a water heater? I tried downloading an image but I don't know how and I have no experience in creating web pages. sorry

[cam722]

Thanks. I plan to take her on Monday, but for now I've noticed that she inflames only at night, although it's drastically gone down now. Could it have been from the lack of a water heater? I tried downloading an image but I don't know how and I have no experience in creating web pages. sorry

You can email me your picture to .. cam722@redearslider.com and I can post it for you.

[Kallistos]

Just take the picture with the digital camera, then hook the camera up to your computer, usually with a USB cord. When it's on the computer just send an e-mail with the attachment being the picture. That way you don't have to futs around with hosting it on photobucket etc...

[cam722]

Here is the picture...

[CountryGirl68]

Question for those of you who have females: could this female be retaining eggs?

[cam722]

Question for those of you who have females: could this female be retaining eggs?

Very good question there .. I'm not the one to answer it though.. but it may be just that