Urgent Care :: Why isnt my turtle eating?

[joanna]

It hasnt ate for like 3 days now, and it keeps making this one funny sound. does anyone know why?

[joanna]

Can anyone PLEASE tell me what is wrong with my turtle?

[marisa]

I asked in your other post---is it a clicking sound or something that sounds like a "tsk"?

You need to give more info about the situation...How long have you had your turtle? How big is he (shell length down the back not including the curve of the shell)? Before he started making this sound and stopped eating, he was behaving normally and eating well?

What kind of set-up is he in? (Tank size, water depth)

What does he have in the tank with him---water heater, lights (UVB and heat), basking area, filter)?

What are the temps of the water and basking area (check them with a thermometer if you don't know them).

Does your turtle have any other symptoms---mucus/liquid/bubbles coming from the nose or mouth? Swollen eyes? Does he only bask or does he swim as well? If he swims, is he even in the water or does he swim lop-sided? If he's showing any of these symptoms, consider taking him to a herp vet.

You have to give more info if you want anyone to try to help you...

[joanna]

Yes its a sound like that, like a hiccup
i had the turtle for about 5 months now
the turles shell is about 5 inches long
& yes it was behaving normally before it stoped eating/making the sound
the tank is 7 inches long and it has 1 1/2 of water in it
the tank has colored pepples, and one huge pepple in it and a heating light
the temp is around 80

no it does not have any of those symptoms shes just making that weird sound and its not eating anyting at all, i tried for 3 days now but she dosnt want to eat at all[she lost a lot of weight]

[marisa]

Please read the basics on this site about what your turtle needs!

The tank is too small for her, she has too little water.

She doesn't need the colored pebbles, he has no UVB light.

I could go on, but you really need to read about caring for your turtle.

Since your turtle is losing so much weight, I'd take her to a herp vet ASAP.

What are you trying to feed her?

[joanna]

The person who gave it to me said all she needs is enough water and a heating light, and he had her for 7 months and he did the same with her and nothing was wrong but i dont know whats wrong with her now

i feed it reptile premium sticks

[SpotsMama]

Sometimes people who have turtles but haven't had them that long think they know what the turtle needs but they don't really know. Then, the turtles can develop illnesses and health conditions that don't show up until later. It's possible that that's what's happening.

You really should read up on how to take care of turtles on this site. Some of the people on here have kept turtles for decades and have studied them extensively and know a great deal about them. You can have complete confidence that they know what they are talking about.

There still isn't enough information to really advise you but what Marisa said is correct - if your turtle is losing weight fast then you need to get it to a vet that knows about turtles ASAP.

One possibility - and this is just one of many possibilities, mind you - is that your turtle has eaten some of the colored pebbles and they have gotten stuck his/her stomach. This is a potentially fatal condition that you'd need to see the vet about. We've have seen a number of turtles on here that have eaten gravel and it's a very serious problem. The other thing I'd do is take the pebbles out of the container right away.

Again, eating pebbles is only one of several possibilities. Another potential problem is a respiratory infection like pneumonia, which is also potentially fatal. Hopefully the problem with your turtle isn't that serious. The only way to know for sure is to get to a vet. If your turtle has a minor problem and you correct his/her setup, then there is a good chance that he/she will heal and be ok. But it's critical to get the setup corrected because if she/he isn't very sick now, he/she will soon be with the setup like it is.

Good luck. I hope your little turtle gets better soon.

[kc]

turtles can go a long way without food. 3 days is nothing. there are many factors that can cause a turtle not eat. stress, water temp too cold, new environment etc etc.
this does not sound like an urgent care. maybe you should read the topic on feeding before posting here.

[megcornell]

I think the biggest problem is the set up. The set up you described is in no way even close to adequate for any turtle, let alone a 5 inch turtle. Once you've read the basic care section, you'll see that you're going to need a much bigger tank, a filter, heater, basking spot, lights, etc. Without a decent set up, your turtle will die. Turtles simply cannot live in a 7 inch tank when they a 5 inches. It is inhumane. Chances are that the turtle is not eating due to its stress from it's living situation. As spotsmama said, those pebbles are VERY dangerous, turtles eat them and the pebbles get stuck in their intestines, please remove them ASAP. Also, with such little water, the water must be nearly rancid, and it certainly cannot maintain a temperature.
Do your turtle a favor and get it a better setup. And possibly a vet visit.
I can't really stress to you how badly he needs a bigger set up. It's very important.