General Care Discussion :: Ok, Sinking or Rising?

[crackerlady2007]

Thank you SO much everyone! I'll be getting a cuttle bone right away. I'll also look into the other suggestions. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you, Thank You!

[crackerlady2007]

Hey, I just had a thought. Would it be advisable to put a few people calciums in their tank; just until I can get a cuttlebone? It's probably going to be about a week before I can make it to the pet store, so I thought maybe I'd just do that. Is that very smart?

[marisa]

That pancake shape looks like your turtle is in an early stage of metabolic bone disease (forget about the front/back rising and sinking, it looks like the bones that are supporting the shell are weakening). You absolutely can't get her to a vet?

She (and your other turtle as well) needs a lot more calcium in the diet and the opportunity to bask under UVB rays. You didn't say where you're located, but if it's getting warm enough where you are, get them outside to bask under the sun. Inside, make sure they've got a good UVB light (it doesn't sound like the light they have is one). Cuttlebone will help, but I'd even get a powdered calcium supplement (Rep-cal can be ordered on line if you don't have a petstore near you that sells it). Moisten the pellets and dip them in the powder and handfeed them to her.

Instead of lettuce, feed dandelion greens (I've never heard of red cabbage being high in calcium).

This may look recent to you, but I think it's more likely the change has been taking place over time.

[crackerlady2007]

But what about people calciums? Would they take the place until then?

[octpusgirl8]

Is there a way for you to know exactly what's in the pill? If not, there might be something else in it besides calcium that would be harmful to the turtle. It seems risky to me...

[Swaypippin]

I don't know if you could do this but Wal Mart sales cuttle bone too, they're $0.88, maybe you could pick one up while grocery shopping.
I agree with Oct. I would think the human calciums could be harmful if you don't know exactly whats in them.

[RESnTX]

On the petfood aisle of most grocery stores I've seen cuttlebone for birds too.

The red cabbage (& green cabbage) was on the list of foods my vet gave me last week.

[crackerlady2007]

The problem is, I live in a country type area with now Wal*Marts. Our grocery store doesn't carry any pet supplies, but I'll snag someone going into town, and see if they can't get something for me.

[marisa]

Yes, you can break up a few "people" calcium tablets (if you've got calcium carbonate or calcium gluconate supplements) and drop them in the tank.

[crackerlady2007]

Oh wonderful! I'll bring some to work tomorrow. Thank you so much!

[crackerlady2007]

Just an update this morning, I was able to gather up some Calcium Citrate and bring it to work this morning. I looked at the ingredients and decided it should be OK, since it was just calcium and a bunch of other vitamins. I used a little pair of pliers to break them up a bit. Mr. Turtle was the first to go after them. At first, Mrs. Turtle, the one who needs it the worst, wouldn't have anything to do with it, but after a few minutes they were both down their eating it like candy! I was a little worried at first, because they don't usually eat things of the bottom of the tank and I couldn't get the calcium tablets to float! Anyway, one draw back is that it's messy since it's supposed to dissolve, but hopefully it will help until I can get to Wal*Mart for a cuttle bone.

[marisa]

If the tablets are really multi-vitamins with calcium included, then I wouldn't overdue it. If they are a calcium supplement, particularly in the forms I mentioned above, then they shouldn't hurt (and hopefully will help). Is vit D included in the tablet. If so, how much?

Don't forget they need a UVB light or natural sunlight to be able to metabolize the rays into Vit D3 to help them absorb calcium.

[KameKo]

Calcium would be cuttlebone which is found in the bird aisle in a pet store (or any store). It's super cheap ($1 for a whole box).

Having a UVB light turns the calcium into vitamin D which fortifies the skeleton system. The most used brand is the Exo Terra Repti-Glo 5.0 26watt bulb (around $16) If you can't go and get one now, you can put him in direct sunlight for a few hours a day.

i def agree with nettle here. also for another food tip in many pet stores they sell dehydrated shrimp that my turtles love! great source of protein and a great treat to give to them. even if you can't find a rep vet perhaps you can take your turt to a regular vet or call their office to see if they can make a couple of phone calls for you. you never know till you try !