General Care Discussion :: Possible sickness????

[TAHNEE]

Is it possible for them to just have a day of feeling bad?? My turtle hasn't ate since day before yesterday. I did a complete water change yesterday, I don't often but the algae was VERY bad. I did it the same as always. I left him out until the water was at the right temp. About 30 minutes after I put him back, I noticed all the food he ate the day before was in the bottom. It looked like it hadn't even been ate, just looked like water logged food. Not sure which end it came from. He won't eat today and all he does is bask. He did get in the water one time but just floated and then sank to the bottom. He is basking as we speak. His breathing and eyes and such all look alright. I have all the stuff I am supposed to have- UVB, basking light, filter, dock, etc. Am I just being silly or could something be wrong? Thanks alot.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Something could be wrong. I would monitor his situation very closely and if he gets worse or doesn't get better in the next couple days, I would take him to the vet.

Was it raining or storming there recently? Excessively hot or humid? Slight changes in the weather may effect ones mood. Is the water too warm?

[SpotsMama]

He could be just having a quiet day.

Temperatures that are too cool can slow a turtle down and cause them to lose their appetite. Have you checked the water temp?

What do you feed him? Sometimes a turtle gets tired of the same old thing and it helps to provide some variety.

On the other hand, when a turtle is sick and doesn't feel good he acts lethargic (sleepy, inactive), basks more than usual and loses his appetite. If the behavior continues, you'll need to find him a good herp vet.

[TAHNEE]

He did eat this evening. It has been like 90-95 here for about a week. His water temp was alittle high. Like almost 85. Whats too high for the water?

[SpotsMama]

Good water temp is around 75 for a grown turtle. Water temp that's too high will speed up his metabolism too much. My turtle's living outside in a pond right now and the water temp is in the low 80's. He's not basking as much as he should and I think it's because the water temp is so high he doesn't feel motivated to get out and bask. He's very active - swims around like a torpedo and eats like a horse. A higher temp should speed up a turtle rather than slow him down.

[industrial_girl_2000]

He did eat this evening. It has been like 90-95 here for about a week. His water temp was alittle high. Like almost 85. Whats too high for the water?

If he is eating, then that is a good sign. A sick turtle won't eat at all.

85 is a little high for water temp. I assume he lives outdoors? In that case, you can't always control the water temp in an outdoor pond (and turtles in the wild can't either!). As long as it doesn't go higher than 85, I wouldn't worry about it.

[TAHNEE]

No he actually lives indoors. The water has never gotten that high before. I usually put alittle cold water when it gets close to that. I may have the light set for too many hours. its on for 10 hours a day. Is that too much??

[industrial_girl_2000]

Do you have a heater in the water??? If so, turn it down. 85 is WAY too high. The temp should not be warmer than 78.