Urgent Care :: Question about the sick res

[callmemissmo]

Okay as some of you know I posted a couple weeks about my RES, Squirt. S/He is about 4 months old and I had suspected it to have a respitory infection or pneumonia due to lop sided swimming and gasping for air.

You also remember I said money was tight and I couldn't afford to take Squirt to the vet...

well it seems as if Squirt is getting better...I hope.

Squirt's swimming has straightened up and is more alert now. Before s/he would just lay there when I came to the tank and now when I come by s/he scurries to hide...

The only thing I am concerned about is that Gizmo, Squirts sibling is twice the size of Squirt. It seems as if Squirt hasn't grown at all. Or maybe Gizmo is growing too fast?

Can anyone help me and let me know if Squirt is getting better...to your knowledge. and how fast should the turtles grow...i read posts and stickies but i havent found a definate answer on this....

thanks!

mandy

[marisa]

There really is no definite answer about growth--it depends on a number of factors, among them being genetics ( like humans, some turtles just grow bigger/faster than others), diet, temperatures, etc. Does Squirt eat the same as the other turtle? If he's been sick, perhaps he hasn't. How is he eating now? Does he get an amount equal to the other turtle's share? I forgot if you separated them but if they're together, does the other turtle eat Squirt's food if he doesn't?

If Squirt isn't swimming lopsided in the water, that's a positive sign. No other symptoms (I think they were mentioned when you posted previously)?

What are you keeping his water temp and basking area temp at?

[callmemissmo]

There really is no definite answer about growth--it depends on a number of factors, among them being genetics ( like humans, some turtles just grow bigger/faster than others), diet, temperatures, etc. Does Squirt eat the same as the other turtle? If he's been sick, perhaps he hasn't. How is he eating now? Does he get an amount equal to the other turtle's share? I forgot if you separated them but if they're together, does the other turtle eat Squirt's food if he doesn't?

If Squirt isn't swimming lopsided in the water, that's a positive sign. No other symptoms (I think they were mentioned when you posted previously)?

What are you keeping his water temp and basking area temp at?

Yeah thats true when he was sick he wasn't really eating as much as he had been eating. But he was never a big eater. As far as the other one yeah he will eat anything. I just bought cuttlebone to stick in there because he is trying to eat the snail's shell. I started taking him out today to feed Squirt so him and the fish get enough food. Squirt has eaten a lot today. I have to go tomorrow and get more food. I have to go grocery shopping for myself so they will get new veggies. I usually let a piece of romaine float in there and it's usually gone within 2 or 3 days. They didn't really like the carrot I stuck in there.

As far as the temp for the basking area I am not sure how to measure the temp for the water it goes from 75-82 because I live in S. Cali...I just read about putting a bag of ice in there...but wouldn't they try and eat the bag?

Anyways thanks for all your help

[marisa]

For me, better than a bag of ice has been freezing a bottle of water that previously had mineral water in it (can't be eaten). But the temp range of the water (which you can monitor with an aquarium thermometer)--is it 75F in the morning and does it increase to 82F with the heat of the day?

BTW, if you're not doing so, they might be more interested in carrot if you shaved thin slices of it for them--easier for them to bit into and rip apart. Also try dandelion and red-leaf lettuce.

[callmemissmo]

For me, better than a bag of ice has been freezing a bottle of water that previously had mineral water in it (can't be eaten). But the temp range of the water (which you can monitor with an aquarium thermometer)--is it 75F in the morning and does it increase to 82F with the heat of the day?

BTW, if you're not doing so, they might be more interested in carrot if you shaved thin slices of it for them--easier for them to bit into and rip apart. Also try dandelion and red-leaf lettuce.

Marisa youre a doll for being so nice...

i have shaved carrots i get from my job but i will try again this was about a month ago i tried...

yeah the temp increases during the day time...i put in a couple ice cubes today but i will get a bottle some time during the weekend...

also by dandelion you mean the flower right?

[marisa]

No, the leaves. You can use ones from your yard if they're not sprayed with any pesticides. I did this in the spring when they first came out; lately I've been getting them from the supermarket if they look good. They get more bitter tasting after they flower, so look for newer, tender leaves.

If your turtle has recently been sick, I don't think having the temp a little higher for a while would hurt. For a healthy hatchling/up to a year RES, a temp of 78F is good. A few degrees higher wouldn't hurt yours if he's been ill.

[TexasJagsFan]

Well I'm glad to hear that Squirt is doing better.

[diyabolo]

Glad she's ok. One of ours just got through RI too.

Ours like shaved carrot sometimes, but they sure don't digest it very well... check out the little orange chunks that end up clogging your filter!