Urgent Care :: Turtle pale, not eating, sleeping alot

[liberation nyc]

How big is your turtle? almost 4 inches long
How long have you had it? last August

What is the water temperature? 78
Are you using a water heater? when needed
How much water is in there? 7 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? yes

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

What have you been trying to feed it? reptemin, the odd guppy
When was the last time your turtle ate? today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10 gallon tank
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? varies

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? no

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?

I have two turtles, one is fine, the other is getting increasingly lethargic. Sleeps a lot. Not interested in eating. Though when I take them both out and stick them in the tub or sink, the sluggy one is back to his normal energy level.

Any ideas?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Boost up the water temp to 82 degrees and take them BOTH to the vet ASAP. Lethargy and not eating is not a good sign...BTW, a 10 gallon tank isnt enough space for two turtles. Let alone, a 4 incher..

I hope you upgrade soon.

[DavidY]

Yup, a visit to the vet is order. They definitely need a much bigger tank and a thermometer to check the basking temperature.

[steve]

It's very hard to diagnose a symptom that is only lethargy. Are both turtles the same size? I'm not sure how the water is heated when needed.

Two 4" turtles in a 10 gallon tank is incredibly stressful for them. When you place the sick one in the sink or tub, is the water the same temperature as their tank?

[liberation nyc]

Both turtles are the same size. I put their heater on which made them both rather frisky. But the one turned in early for the night.

When I put them in the tub, there's no water in it. I put their basking light on them and they both are equally active which is why I am so confused.

I'm going to get a larger tank this weekend for them so their not up each others butts. Honestly I wasn't expecting them to grow so fast! When I got them in late August of last year, they were half dollar sized at best.

[Hoooneylynn]

Are they both 4 inches? If so, you need at least an 80 gallons, I dont think they are made in that size, so either go with the 90, but they will continue to grow, so I would probably get a 120...

[liberation nyc]

Oh sweet lord! lol

[Hoooneylynn]

yeah I know! Its very expensive and a big responsibility to own a turt, let alone two!

The rule we go by is 10 gallons per inch per turt.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Yeah..I agree with jessica. Definitley look into something bigger, much bigger. When your turtles are adults you will need a 240 gallon tank at the least.

Take them to the vet though, and update us when you get back.

[liberation nyc]

Thankf for all the help.
I found someone in my neighborhood with a much larger tank for sale.
When I was a kid I found a turtle in a pond with a leech on his belly and my mom removed it and we took him home. We filled his tank with tap water, never thought about water temp, fed him the turtle sticks. The poor thing lived in a small tank. We didnt know. But he seemed so low maintenance. I wonder if it was because he was use to the elements?
I never realized the little guys were so high maintenance.
Next they'll want LV bags

Will keep you posted!

[Hoooneylynn]

awesome! Post some pics when you get it!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

If someone threw you in a closet and fed you nothing but bread and cheese your whole life. You would probably survive..but you'd be pretty miserable and unhealthy, no? We gotta make sure our turtles thrive, not survive!

[liberation nyc]

I totally agree!!! Don't get me wrong.
But in 1985 I didn't have the internet to connect with helpful people like you guys...just Madonna records

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Yes, i understand. But in these days there is no excuse for ignoring proper turtle care. Dont have a computer? Go to the library, there are tons of turtle care books..simple as that.

How are they doing right now? Have you located/made and apointment with a vet?

[liberation nyc]

Well I obviously have a computer if I am posting here and I and I am trying to improve the lives of my pets which is why I am here. I was able to find a vet around the corner from me that treats turtles so I will call them in the morning and make an appointment.

Right now they are fine. One is swimming about, doing his thing, very active, the other looks like he's ready to turn in for the night. He's wedged between the tank and the dry dock with his little head poking out of the water.