General Care Discussion

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 4:42 pm **Turtle Past Away**

My hatchling Monster past away on Tuesday night! He was basking a lot and sometimes having difficulty opening one eye. I took him to the vet she gave him eye drops, a vitamin B shot, and a calcium shot. The first few days he seemed to be feeling better. Eight day after the vet he stopped eating. I made another vet appointment but he didn't make it. The symptoms he had were inactivity, loss of appetite, and his shell, especially the bottom, got extremely soft. I feel so guilty! Did I do something wrong? Did the vet screw up? I just need some peace of mind.

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 4:49 pm

Sorry for your loss.

You did everything you could. Sometimes, they just don't make it, weather it be from the previous owner, or genetics, there was nothing more you could have done. At least he had a good, and happy life with you!!! Now you can focus on Murphy, and it they where in the same tank, make sure he doesn't catch what Monster had. Once again, sorry for your loss.

May you, and Murphy have many more happy years!!

Nathan.

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:15 pm

Does anyone have an idea of what could have been wrong with him? I thought maybe an RI, but what was up with the soft shell? I'm really struggling with his death and need to find closure some how.

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:36 pm

I am so sorry to hear that you lost him...

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:10 pm

I'm so sorry you lost him, it's so disheartening when you've done everything you could to help :-(

There are a multitude of ailments that hatchlings can come with that they acquire long before we improve their lives. Most are kept in such deplorable conditions in flea markets and the like that it's hard to tell what could be wrong. Also, at their tiny size it's hard to diagnose them.
The soft shell could be a sign of MBD which would be from the lack of proper lighting and calcium he got before you took him home- it would take a while for MBD to develop, it's a serious lack of calcium, so sadly perhaps Monster just was too severely affected before the calcium you and the vet gave him could help. It could just be that he had too many things going wrong and not enough strength to fight them.
I really think you did everything in your power to help him. It's devastating to lose a pet, but don't beat yourself up over it, you gave him a wonderful life and you'll continue to give Murphy one.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:07 pm

I'm so sorry that you lost him. Take some time to grieve, and I hope that at some point you will want to try again with another turtle.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:48 pm

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:05 pm

Thanks everyone! I'm grateful to still have Murphy. He is such a goofy little turtle and always make me smile. I am thinking about fostering turtles for a local reptile rescue in memory of Monster.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:10 pm

Fostering turtles would be a wonderful thing to do. Think of all the neat turtle personalities you'd get to know.

General Care Discussion :: Turtle Past Away

Who is online