General Care Discussion :: help!!

[lovesmyturtles]

hello all!...ive just joined the forum and its a big help...i love reading everyones entries...i am learning alot and i always learn something new everyday about my red eared sliders...

i have run into yet another fiasco regardingmy little ones...over the past couple of weeks i have noticed one of the turtles grabbing the others hind legs and trying to drag it off the basking platform and into the water...i dont know what this means...any suggestions will be appriciated : )

also i have noticed that the one thats being dragged off the basking platform now has sore's on its feet

click to see

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/i ... C_0203.jpg

should i seperate them to allow the other turtle to heal? does anyone know of any mild antiseptic i can use to clean the wounds or do i just let it happen naturally? how do i stop this sort of behaivor?

thanks for any hlep in advance!

a.j.

[missibsu]

How big are your turtles and what size is the set up? Also, what gender are they?

Keeping two turtles together always has its risks. Two males have a tendancy to become aggressive. Male and female together can become aggressive if she doesn't have enough space to escape by herself.

If you have the capability to separate them, then I would for the time being. You can also treat the wounds with neosporin. Raising the water temp to around 80F will help the turtle fight any infection that may be present, and keeping the water clean is also important.

Rule of thumb suggests 10 gallons of water per inch of shell. If you haven't or can't provide that for them, then I would keep them separate. If you have met those requirements, then I would definitely separate them because it sounds like there is more going on.

[lovesmyturtles]

the big one is about 6 to 7 inches and the little one is about 5 to 6 inches...and the little one is doing the picking...my setup for now is only a 29 gallon...i wish i could do more for them now but financially i cant...i have inquired about a 130 gallon tank...and im saving for it...these turtles are actually my wifes brothers...i kinda fell in love with them and told him that i would care for them over the next 6 years while he goes off to college...he had them in a 10 gallon tank...way to small for them i know...they werent properly cared for...sitting in 3 to 4 inches of water that was so green you couldnt even see them...it smelled horrible...so everytime i came over i took action and cleaned the tank and fed them...they didnt even have a basking light or platform...i hope he will let me keep them because they are in better care now than they ever was before...i have provided them with the best i can financially right now so thats a plus...

i do think that both are female...neither has any male characteristics...

ill for sure be stepping out tommorow and getting some neosporin for the wounds...thanks for that advice...aslo when applying the neosporin...is it safe to keep the turtle away from the water while healing?

again...thank you so much for your help : )

[CountryGirl68]

Those sores on your turtles hind legs need to be treated or it can develop into a septic infection, which can be fatal. Make sure you leave the turtle out of the water for several hours while treating the sores or else the meds will wash out in the water.

[marisa]

You could put your turtle in an aquarium salt bath to help those sores heal (salt water is very healing). Then apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin and keep your turtle out of the water for 30 min. to an hour to let the ointment sink in. Keep the water very clean.

[missibsu]

Sorry that I forgot to mention keeping her out of the water.

In reference to your problem with affording a large tank. There are some sites such as www.freecycle.org and www.craigslist.com where you can sometimes find great deals. Everything that goes through freecycle is free, hince the name.

Another option is to use large rubbermaid containers. You may end up having to separate them so that they can each have the space that they need.

Stock ponds are also an option for larger set ups, but less cost. They also take up a lot of space.

[cprcheetah]

I would recommend separating them. It looks like they aren't getting along too well. As Missi said, a large rubbermaid containers may be an option for the time being. Everyone has given some great advice, separate, raise the temp and treat those sore before they go systemic. If turtle worsens or doesn't improve, get her to a vet.

[lovesmyturtles]

thanks everyone for all your helpful advice...i have separated them (makes me feel bad) but i know its for the best...i now have some neosporin and have been applying it to the backs of her legs...even though i cant afford to..if the sores worsen over the corse of the next few days i will be taking her to a vet

ill be checking into the care credit thing and see if vets around here accept it...seeing as i have immigrated to canada im starting to wonder if they even will know what im talkin about...people get free healthcare here...i wish animals did to lol

thanks again for all the good and helpful advice and the links to the websites : )

[marisa]

I have Care Credit, but have never had to use it for my turts (knock on wood). There is a phone number that comes with the info on it that you can call to find out providers that accept it. Don't know if it applies to Canada, thought (maybe someone else knows).

[missibsu]

What is Care Credit? I've owned various pets through the years and I have never heard of this.