General Care Discussion :: Ichigo update & I found a turtle on the sidewalk!

[littlecakes]

Hi everyone,
Ichigo got her feeding tube taken out on Thursday and is doing well. Eating and pooping on her own. Her water level is to be kept very low for a few more days to let the incision in her neck heal. After that we plan on building a proper basking dock over the tub to maximize swimming space.
We are moving from the city to the country in two months so as soon as we move she will get a permanent and more proper home than our bathtub!

Also, today while I was walking my dog, I found a RES walking on the sidewalk! It was right outside a community garden so I assumed it came from inside and I inquired with a man that was feeding the chickens and pigeons in there and he claimed that it did not belong to the garden. (There is a pond in the garden) I scooped him up and brought him home, ran out and got a temporary plastic tub and set him up in there. He gobbled up his pellets like he hadn't been fed in a long time and even chomped on some lettuce. He is very "friendly" and will even let me hand feed him. His shell is about 3.75" in length and he seems healthy, no discharge from the nose, clear eyes. His shell seems like it curves too much but can anyone tell from the picture? We named him Pan-Kun after an amazing Chimpanzee that is on Japanese television that my husband and I like.

Our bathroom is getting very full. I hope I don't run into any other animals in need till we move.
Hanna in NYC

[Swaypippin]

I was actually just reading a post about Ichigo... coincidences. I'm glad to hear she's doing well, she really is a trooper! And you are a wonderful turtle mommy! Kudos to you.

As for thenew guy, I can see the "curling" up in the photos. Don't know what causes it or how to pif it but I've never seen one with such a curved shell..

[BullDog]

Good news about Ichigo!

As for your new find, the curling of the shell like that is usually caused by metabolic bone disease (MBD). This means he wasn't given enough calcium in his life. Make sure you give him plenty of cuttlebone, or other calcium supplements. Also make sure he has a new UVB bulb to bask under. He may not bask for the first little while though, since everything will be new to him!

I don't have any experience with MDB, so someone with more experience may suggest you take him to the vet, and perhaps the vet can give him a calcium supplement. Although I don't know for sure, it may not be necessary.

I bet he's been kept in an inadequate home for years and fed a diet of hot-dogs and maybe a bit of veg.
I'm sure you'll make him feel like a prince ^_^

[zoologist]

wow. what a find! needy turtles just seem to love you, huh?

[industrial_girl_2000]

I agree with everything Bulldog said.

Based on how easily he took the pellets, it sounds like he was someone's pet at one time so if you took him in, he would easily assimilate to being a pet once again. Keep us posted on his progress!

[imderanged]

Wow, He got lucky when he found you! Maybe they just KNOW somehow? After your posts about Ichigo, I know the new guy couldn't hope to find a better home! Good luck! And I am SO GLAD Ichigo is doing better, it is SO GOOD to hear!!!

[littlecakes]

Wow, what a contrast this new one is to Ichigo.
Pan-Kun will follow me, my hand the whole time I am in the bathroom or if I need to check the temperature in his tub etc. He is constantly saying "Hi! Hi! Hey! Me! Me! Look! Food? Hi! Hi!" where as Ichigo is always like "I'm not here, you don't see me. I'm not here........"

Yes, I have some cuttlebone (which Ichigo won't touch) and will give him some and will give him a nice variety of fresh foods as well as pellets and will get an extra UVB bulb soon.

Animals find me ALL the time. Or maybe I am just more aware of them around me. Probably both.

[crackerlady2007]

What if it's the one laturcotte lost?! Wouldn't that be something?

[marisa]

It's good you took him in. That's a pretty face but a sad-looking shell. Worst case it's MBD, at the very least notoriously poor living conditions and diet previously.

I'd have him looked at, at the very least include a powdered calcium supplement (non-phosphorus) in the diet and good lighting to bask under.

[mzkitty23]

Girl, u and those needy turtles! I'm glad they both have you! I'm so glad Ichingo is still doing good! Good luck with the new one!!!! Keep me updated!