Urgent Care :: New Turtle Owner. Turtle Seems Very Ill...Someone Help.

[ronnieboy001]

I have just recently (about a week ago) received 2 very small (around 3-4inches length) RES's. I am very unknowledgable of the animal but am willing to do whatever necessary to help them. Ive come to realise their conditions are terrible. One of the two has become very weak, hes unable to lift his head head when held. He also randomly throws his head up (scarcely) and sortof "gasps" for air. I have a "repto-mi" Select-a-food, Which consists of a staple diet, mini shrimp and mini krill. I am now aware that i need to take my turtle to a vet asap, but am hoping somebody and tell me what types of filters, lights and food i need SPECIFICALLY. i am having trouble figuring out what to get through the midst of so many different websites. Someone please help if possible, i am afraid for this baby turtle.

[megcornell]

Hello,
Here is a link with all the necessary start up materials for a turtle.
http://www.redearslider.com/startup.html
It's important to have a water heater and proper basking lights, especially since your turtle is ill. All the other items are important as well, but heat is crucial for a sick turtle.
You are correct to assume that your turtle needs to see a vet. Make sure it's a herp vet and make an appointment ASAP. The sooner he gets in, the better his chances are.
Also, if the other turtle is not exhibiting signs of illness, you need to separate them. Most likely your one turtle has a respiratory infection, which is very contagious, so to prevent the other one from falling ill you'll need a second tank. A rubbermaid bin makes a great temporary home, and is cheaper than buying a second glass tank so look into that.

[SpotsMama]

Using a water heater, raise the turtle's water temperature to 82 degrees (normally the appropriate temperature for a small turtle is around 78 degrees, but when they are sick it's important to keep them warmer because it stimulates their immune systems.) Until you get the sick one to the vet, avoid stressing him as much as possible (don't pick him up unless you have to), keep him very clean and keep trying to get him to eat. While a turtle is sick you can offer him things you'd normally only feed as treats, such as shrimp and tuna.

Good luck. I agree you need to get the sick one to a vet ASAP and probably the other one too in case he's in the early stages of something. Turtles' chances of surviving an illness are much better if they are treated aggressively and early on.

Here's a standard caution for people who are taking their turtles to see a vet. If the vet offers to give a vitamin A shot, first make sure the vet is positive your turtle really needs vitamin A and then discuss other alternatives to shots with the vet like eye drops with vitamin A, cod liver oil or food supplements. Several turtles have recently had very bad reactions to vitamin A shots and I think it's best that if vitamin A is needed (and often it's not) the safer methods be used instead.

Reptomin baby is an excellent turtle food for healthy little turtles. If you look in the nuitrition section on this site you'll find everything you ever wanted (or needed) to know about turtle nuitrition.

I think it's despicable that someone sold you a sick turtle. Be sure and let them hear what you think about it. If they are from a pet store, send them the vet bill. Having a new turtle should be a wonderful, fascinating experience - it's a shame that you have to deal with an illness right off the bat.