General Care Discussion :: turtle cant stop floating-is it a bad thing?

[kevinx420]

Last night I noticed for the first time that my RES male was not eating. After watching him for a while I noticed that he was not able to stop floating, and he was using his palm tree hiding place to keep him from constantly floating to the top. He is just as lazy as he ever was and he is growing and shedding, so it is hard to tell by looking at him if he is sick or not. Any ideas?

[missibsu]

Try reading this post and see if it helps.
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... t=submerge

[flutterby]

Just curious, what kind of set up do you have for your turtle?

[marisa]

No other symptoms? How long has he not been eating? Are you sure he's unable to stay submerged?

[kevinx420]

I have a 20 gal. aquarium filled half the way up with a filter and a submerged heating element and a thermometer to gage temp to keep it at 78 degrees or above. Also have heat lamp which is kept on about 12 hours. Also have a floating dock for him to bask on. Change water every week and a half or so and refill as level goes down. Turtle is shedding but eating almost nothing. I know he cant submerge b/c if I put him under the water he pops back up like a cork. I bought him as a hatchling in Florida when on vacation 2 months ago so I am still learning but he was doing okay until last week.

[CountryGirl68]

If you are concerned, you should take the turtle to a herp vet. Hatchlings sometimes are sick when you buy them and symptoms won't show for a few weeks and by then it can be too late.

[marisa]

He's not eating at all? If not, consider a herp vet---it could be a number of things---a chronic respiratory infection, gas or even parasites to name a few.