General Care Discussion :: Turtle can't submerge itself

[Tazmerzeu]

Hello, I am brand new to this forum and am hoping someone can help me. I have two RES that are about 3 months old I think and one that is about 2 months old. One is doing great but the other one is not. It appears that its shell is separating along the neck and on one side. This turtle also floats lop-sidedly and never goes under water (I don't think it can). Today I put my turtle at the bottom of the tank, let go and it immediately popped up to the surface (sort of like an inflatable toy). I'm confused. What's going on. It almost appears like there is air trapped under its shell which is stopping it from being able to sink below the water. It is darkish brown/green where my other 2 are much lighter green. Hoping someone can offer some insight. Thanks so much.

[TNTurtles]

sounds like a respiratory infection to me with the lopsided swimming and inability to submerge. do you see any open mouth breathing? You might want to move this topic to urgent care and also answer all the questions in the sticky about your setup and turtle. Personally i think a vet trip is your best option. the longer you wait, the worse he will get. You could try raising the temps to boost the immune system. Also if the turtle hasn't been sick for that long id isolate it from the other b/c RI's will spread. If its been a while i would recommend taking both in at the same time. I always take both in when i go to the vet and i get 2 for the price of 1(since they are so small).

this will give you more info on RI
http://redearslider.com/index_health_1.html

[steve]

I think you need to answer some of the questions listed here:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2142

Here is also some basic information:
http://www.redearslider.com/res-guide.pdf

[Tazmerzeu]

Turtle is 2 inches. All 3 RES are in a 10 gal tank that has a filter with charcoal and amonia reducer. There is no heater, water temp is 76 deg. There is a basking platform and a UVB light. The other turtles take the food away from it when it tries to eat so I now take the other turtles out while this one eats. They eat Wardly Sticks and Repto Mini Baby Sticks. The tank is near a window in a room with lots of activity (3 cats).

As well as not going under water and swimming lop sidedly, this turtle is lethargic and spends almost all its time on the basking platform. I leave the light on about 4 - 5 hours a day.

[TNTurtles]

The light should be just like the sun for the turtles. Which means that it should be on 10-12 hours a day. It is also supposed to be 10 gallons per one inch of turtle(without the curve), and if you have 3 turtles you have to triple that. Do you only have a uvb light? if so that doesnt let off a lot of heat and you can use a regular household bulb for heat. Its good that you are seperating so that he can get his proper amount of food. Water temp should also be around 78 for hatchlings all day and even through the night.

[Tazmerzeu]

Thanks for the information. I have been reading alot on this site. It seems that the turtle probably does have an RI. Is this usually fatal if untreated? Does it sometimes just "go away" or do RIs always have to be treated? I have the tank by a window that is always open. It's been pretty cold the last week or so, so he's been exposed to drafts. Not good.

[missibsu]

It's best if treated, and yes it can lead to the death of the turtle. I think there have been a few minor cases where the infection has gone away with a raised temp, but it isn't something that I would gamble with. My turtles are just like my kids. If there is something I can't take care of 100%, they're going to the vet.

[steve]

...It appears that its shell is separating along the neck and on one side....

Can you post a picture? How is the rest of the shell?

This turtle also floats lop-sidedly and never goes under water (I don't think it can).

This and his swimming irregularly could be due to a low weight. Has he been eating and does he have an appetite? How does his weigh compare to your other turtles? Have they been growing at the same rate?

Also, I would separate him from the others for now. You don't know what it is... it may be an illness, injury or just his personality. I would keep his water at 78-82 for now. RI is usually fatal. Do keep ALL your turtles away from open windows, which should also have the shades drawn. Sunlight can cause quick temperature spikes.

Either way, you do need to look at the habitat again. A correct setup and diet will prevent a majority of illnesses, and help avoid untimely deaths and vet bills.

[marisa]

Your turtle has been having problems for how long? You said your turtle is lethargic and spends a lot of time basking, both of which are signs of an RI in addition to the lop-sided swimming (which can also be an indicator of pneumonia, which is fatal if not treated). Have you noticed any open-mouth breathing, wheezing, mucus, anything of this nature? The inability to submerge could be due to a number of factors, (but air under the shell isn't one of them). If you pick him up, how does he compare with how your other turtles feel--does he have any "heft" to him, or does he feel hollow (you should feel a difference if there really is one)?

You did indicate he's eating, though---how well/much does he eat? If you feed him in a separate container of water, you could add some liquid vitamins to it (children's vitamins, bird vitamins would do) to increase the nutrients he gets.

Drafts from open windows, AC, etc. can contribute to RIs. It would be good to give him his own tank with a lower water level if the one he's in now is high, and maintain the water temp at 81-82F (get a submersible water heater), with the basking area temp of about 91F.

Your turtles need a bigger set-up---a 10 gallon tank for the two of them is way too small.

A pic of the area of the shell that's separating when the shell is dry would be good...

[Tazmerzeu]

My turtle is doing better. I went to Big Al's (Aquarium Services Outlet) and they suggested that I put the turtle in a separate tank with warmer water (82 degrees) and some aquarium salt. Then put him back in the tank. I've done this twice and notice a huge difference. The turtle is now able to submerge itself (still swimming a little lopsided - but not nearly as bad as before). The turtle is a little smaller than my other turtle that I got at the same time. Hopefully it's getting better now.