General Care Discussion :: GRAVID slider not eating

[Amana]

my 5 year old slider is gravid, and whenever she is she doesnt eat anythig. is it ok for them not to eat anythig for weeks whenthey are pregnant? she only eatch chicken or beef when shes gravid, but i dont want to feed her too much of that...so should i just let her be until she lays eggs and then start feeding her. please HELP guys....im worried for her health

[zoologist]

she'll be fine. jsut keep offering food, and if she takes it she takes it.

[trudykurz]

How do you know if she's pregnant? You didn't mention her being in a community tank. I would still offer veggies and pellets until you can get her to a vet.

[SpotsMama]

Try offering her pellets soaked in tuna water. That should make them more appealing. What about lettuce? Will she eat her usual green leafies?

Has she laid eggs before? Did she behave this way in the past?

You'll want to watch out for other signs that she might be ill. Lethargy, swollen or irritated eyes, breathing with the mouth open or yawning a lot, difficulty submerging or swimming loppsided, not pooping or having diarrhea.

The signs of needing to lay eggs are fairly specific, so I've been told. They are usually described as extremely anxious to get out of the tank, and poor to no appetite. Does that sound like your turtle?

[Amana]

yes she has laid eggs before and reacted the same way...but im just wondering can they go without food the time period when she is gravid

she only eats meats..wont eat pellets or veggies...but like i said i dont want to give her meat all the time

[Amana]

yes she has all the signs of being gravid...wanting to get out of the tank, not eating, scratching my carpet when she's out of her tank

[SpotsMama]

Try the pellets-soaked-in-tuna-water approach. that usually works if anything will. A turtle can go quite awhile between meals. If they are healthy, they are pretty tough. If she won't eat anything but meat for weeks before she lays eggs, at least give her very lean things like shrimp or boiled skinless chicken or tuna packed in water. Occasional gut-loaded freeze-dried crickets would be good too as they provide additional calcium.

[marisa]

If she's acted this way other times when she laid eggs and she's come through the ordeal OK, I would think there wouldn't be a problem. And if her diet is really high protein (meat?), then some fasting might actually be good for her. Turtles can go a while without eating. Do continue to try to vary that diet with more plant matter, though, and include some extra calcium in the diet.

[Amana]

thxsfor all your comments guys