General Care Discussion :: my turtle ate the end off the water thermometer

[kayla_2305]

i dont know

[CountryGirl68]

Yesterday I noticed the thermometer was floating on it's side instead of straight up and down like it usually is. I took it out of the water and it seems that myrtle has bit the end off of it.

Please take your turtle to the vet. Here's something from one of my fish care sheets regarding thermometers:

Mercury is toxic, that is, harmful to animals, fish, birds and humans, and, because mercury is an element, it does not break down into less toxic substances. Mercury can damage your brain, liver and kidneys.

Hope this information is helpful and I hope your turtle is okay. But please have a vet check him out.

[missibsu]

I would add that themometers are no longer made of mercury. Unless this themometer are old, then it is probably non toxic...especially if it was made for a fish tank.

[marisa]

Have you found any of the balls in the water? They aren't mercury (not allowed in the U.S.) if the thermometer (I'm assuming it's for aquariums) is even a few years old.

I had a similar experience to yours (bottom fell out of one of those cheap thermometers that suctions to the side of the tank---my turtle didn't bite it off) and won't use them anymore.

[kate]

Hi all
Sorry it took me so long to get back. I forgot my password.
Myrtle is fine. I took apart the aquarium again and this time i found the piece that broke off.

Kayla i'm so sorry to hear that you have a sick turtle. Please do call around. Two years ago i needed a vet and all the local ones wouldn't see turtles. I called a vet in a near by town and he agreed to treat her. He did a wonderful job and was reasonable as well. Myrtle was the little star of the vet hospital that day. They don't see many turtles so they were all excited to see her. I won't ask where you live but the vet was Dr. Russell in Harrogate TN. This is only 10 miles from Kentucky in the north eastern part of the state.