General Care Discussion :: Should I worry?

[tissigirl]

Something similar happend to Mr. Turtle a few years ago. He wasn't using one of his front legs like the others. I took him to the vet and she said he had probably just sprained it somehow. I had to give him little antibiotic injections. She also took an x-ray, which was really cool to see.

I hope everything turns out ok!

[marisa]

Perhaps the leg was injured somehow if he was with other turtles at Petco...Are there any visible marks on it? If you've got the chance to have it checked out for free, do it. If you don't like what you hear, I'd get a second opinion.

What do you have in the tank with the turtle? If you've got any snails, it could be snail eggs (though the gob would be clearish and the eggs would be tiny dots of white).

[mina777]

I am going to take him in tonight for sure. There is nothing but him and his basking area in the tank. It is so gross! A dime sized glob of white stuff.

[Tenodera]

It could be a bundle of tapeworms?

[steve]

Can you take a picture of it?

[mina777]

My husband took him in to Petco before I got home from work. I didn't even know he was going to go, I guess he was acting that weird that it freaked him out. He had to leave him there, they will call us in a few days after the vet has looked at him and/or treated him.

What I want to know is, how the hell can you get so attached to something you can't even cuddle? I cried for over an hour. Maybe it is the stress of my week. Maybe it is the thought of my daughter being upset (she didn't seem to mind, I told her if we couldn't keep this Tiny Tim, she would get another).

I don't know, I am frustrated right now. Feeling like a failure, even though I don't think I caused his problems. (In 3 days??) We'll see what happens tomorrow I guess. Thanks everyone for offering advice. I do appreciate it.

[steve]

Could you have held on to him and taken him to a vet of your choice and send them the bill? Or arrange an appointment with their vet? Do keep in touch with the store and manager... make sure they know it's your pet and you expect to have him back.

I think we all know how easy it is to get attached to them... they are really wonderful animals.

[SpotsMama]

I understand how completely attached you can get to a turtle. I never in my life thought I'd love a reptile until I got Spot. Now I see it all differently.

You bear no guilt whatsoever for your turtle having problems. He was injured or picked something up before you ever got him. I do hope it works out ok. You sound like you'd provide a good home for a turtle.

[mina777]

Thanks guys. I am hoping for the best, but from eveything I have read I wonder if he'll even be ok.

Steve- No, they won't let you take them to the vet of your choice and reimburse. I guess they have vets that they have contracted with.

We may know as early as today...cross your fingers for the little guy!

[steve]

mina777, please follow up with them if you really want your turtle back because they may not take turtle owners seriously.