General Care Discussion :: sick turtle help/tip ASAP!!! Plz!

[MzYzfR6]

my turtle is sick I believe she has a respiratory infection. I can't afford to pay for the treatment is there a center I can take her to? and give her to the rescue shelter oh and it's tiny hatchling.

hlp plz

[theartbook35]

If you can't afford to take your turtle to the vet by yourself, try searching in your area, or close to your area, of other vets that might be cheaper. You can also ask possibly a friend or a family member to help you out. Does someone else care for the turtle with you? If so, they ought to split the cost of the vet bill.

I was caring for my turtles with someone recently, the jerk never did anything, but would act like they were his turtles. I had to tell him to go out and get them new stuff. I don't speak this person anymore now for a variety of reasons, and now they are just my turtles. Which is fine, I can live with that. If I have to, I'll ask my mother who I currently live with to help out a little bit. But that's only if I really have to.

[mike hill]

Now! If you have your life straightened out, let’s tend to the hatchlings. If you don’t have the money I would suggest that you raise the water temp to 80 degrees and the basking temp to about 91 to92 degrees with uvb lighting. Keep the water super clean and wait. The vet is the only sure cure for your turtle.

[TurtleMania]

I thought the same thing a while back but someone suggested a water heater to control the temp--- (about $40....) then my guy was fine. what's the symptoms?

[SpotsMama]

Someone once said that a water heater is the best preventative medicine you can buy. A chilly turtle is susceptible to infections such as RI. An RI can be a lot more expensive to treat than the cost of a heater.

Symptoms of RI: lethargy, poor appetite, swollen or irritated eyes, swimming lopsided or trouble submerging, mucus around the mouth or nose, wheezing or noisy breathing, yawning a lot or breathing with the mouth open.

A turtle doesn't have to have all these symptoms to have RI, but if 2 or 3 are present , then it's time to worry. As they get sicker and sicker, more and more of the symptoms will appear.

Warming the temps stimulates the turtle's immune system, which is why it's recommended when he/she is sick.

If your turtle needs to see a vet and you don't have the money, try borrowing it from your parents or someone, paying it back when you can or working it off with chores. Also, see if the vet will let you pay off the bill over time.

[marisa]

By chance is there a university with a veterinary program anywhere near you? A zoo or aquarium you could contact for advice? If there is an animal rescue near you, you could contact them to see if they know of anyone you could take your turtle to who would accept payment in installments.