redearslider.com

I have 2 RES, 5 years old. 1 female who is about 7 inches, and 1 male who is about 5.5. My male started to bask for an unusually long period of time 2 days. When put back in the water he seems to sink, not swim. Although, he is able to climb back up to the dock. He also refuses to eat. He wasn't floating, and doesn't have bubbles coming from his nose or mouth or appear to have swollen eyes. My female turtle happy and healthy. I noticed the water temperature fell to 60F They are in a 75g tank. The water temp is now around 82. The docking temperature is about 89-90.

It should be noted, There have been some issues with my male since I got him 5 years ago. His ability to walk on land is strange, he seems to think he is still swimming and will take unnecessarily big steps on land. Also eating food that's held right outside the water, he will aim and miss, in the water he eats no problem.

I never really worried too much because he seemed to get along just fine with these quirks. He's quite skilled at catching feeder fish when they are given them, and always had no issues swimming.

I give them a diet of turtle food with calcium, shrimp, turtle treats and about once a month a few feeder fish.

How I should continue to monitor his behavior and for how long or at what point I should go to the vet?

82 is a bit warm for the water.. Maybe bump it back down to 76 to 78.. No warmer than that.

Do you give them vegetables too?

I only changed it to 82, because that's what's been advised. I just changed it 78. He's still basking though.

As for vegetables, I'm a terrible turtle parent, even time I've given them vegetables the just don't eat them. Except for peas on occasion.

How long is unusually long? Peas are not good. You will probably want to overhaul his diet though.

Peas are horrible! Just keep giving him lettuce and a variety of things they are supposed to have. Cut way back on the pellets to just 3 times a week if you can.

Maybe you could bump the basking temperature up a few degrees. It may not be warm enough for his tastes. My male actually prefers to bask around 95F.

When I said I gave them peas, I only did it once. I brought Gooby to the vet yesterday and he received electrolytes shot and vitamin A for his swollen eyes. I also got Sulfatrim, to give to him twice daily. That was yesterday. I gave him medicine this morning He has been on the dock all day today and when I got home from work I gave him his medicine for the 2nd time today. I also gave him water so he wouldn't be dehydrated.

About an hour later I noticed he was gasping a bit for air. He does not look good at all, very sad and lethargic. He's sleeping now waking up to get air. Things aren't looking good. I'm not sure he will make it to tomorrow.

I hope things take a turn for the better.
This all happened so quickly literally a matter of a few days

I have to say of the three turtles (gave one away) he had the sweetest disposition. A great pet for 5 years, couldn't ask for a better turtle.

Update: Gooby passed away.

R.I.P Gooby you were the best turtle anyone could want and we will always have a small hole in our hearts.

oh god, I'm 30 years old and didn't think this would be so painful.

I'm sorry for your loss, especially when it sounds like you put so much into giving him a healthy life. If he co-habitated with your other turtle, I would definitely recommend a full tank purification. Not just a water change, either. You will need to clean out your filter, and probably get a new basking area. Watch out for any similar symptoms in the surviving RES.

Very sorry to hear it! Very sad news. This seems very sudden, did the vet say anything?

Actually, the Vet said she wanted to check up in 3 days. He didn't make it that long. After posting on reddit's turtle subreddit as well.. it seems oral medication isn't very successful. Injections tend to be the best route of administration. He was on Sulfatrim for 2 days before dying. It was a sad sad last hour -- I wanted to do anything to ease his suffering. I already miss the hell out of Gooby and am still a little in shock that he's gone. I'm kinda pissed because it seems, from what i've heard, that this vet didn't know better. There's nothing I could do about it. Complaining won't bring gooby back, and of course if I accuse them of giving me bad advice they will just have some professional response to it. I spent $230 there and Im reluctant to go back if my other turtle starts to get sick. I'm not made of money.

Oral meds are probably less effective, but there are some potent ones. The main thing is to use the right meds and dosage for the right illness. With the symptoms coming so suddenly, it's hard to know what was the exact cause or illness, and Gooby could have been sick for awhile.

Even with plenty of information, herp medicine still has a lot of unknowns. They would probably need to take samples and withdraw blood to even begin to figure out some diseases.

Sorry about your loss, it's never easy