General Care Discussion :: nimrod ate the sulfa block!

[rockstar]

it was a little smaller than a penny

and he ate it!
is he going to be ok?!

[marisa]

He'll be fine. I really don't mfgrs. would make something that could be put in the tank and eaten if it were dangerous unless they put a warning on the package.

He really doesn't need a sulfa block. If you're using it to help prevent illness or shell problems, keeping the tank clean and regularly changing the water would be far better. Also, the continual use of a drug (which sulfa is) is likely to cause him to develop a resistance to it.

[rockstar]

oh.
okay
thanks so much!
i try to put other things in the water for him to eat but he only eats the pellets { only about half of each one } and mealworms.
and i only give him mealworms every so often.

[marisa]

Feed mealworms sparingly and not many when you do. They're not that nutritious, have a bad calcium/phosphorus ratio (will take calcium out of the system if given frequently), and are difficult to digest. Try an earthworm now and then, cut it up to make it easier to eat. Also keep introducing plant matter---leafy greens like red-leaf lettuce, dandelions, things of that sort as well as aquatic plants like anachris.

[rockstar]

ok.
when i do give them to him i only give him two.
and it takes him the whole day to eat the two, he will nibble on one and come back later until its gone and then he will start on the other.

[industrial_girl_2000]

No need to use sulfa blocks.

Get cuttlebone; it's way cheaper.

[rockstar]

ha. ok.
i did get some cuttle bone, and every now and then he will take a snap at a piece, but he doesnt seem to love it like some people say their turtles do.

ohwell, i guess its just personal preference!


thanks!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Your not the only one..my turtles hate it, i've had them since like september and they have never even touched cuttlebone when I left it in their tank

[rockstar]

ohyeah?
well maybe he will grow to like it, he does eat anything other than mealworms { about twice a week } and the reptomin pellets, and he needs his calcium =p

[marisa]

He needs his calcium if he's eating mealworms on a regular basis...If you're giving him Reptomin Baby (Reptomin for small turtles), he'll get slightly more calcium, but he still should get some from other sources in the diet.

[rockstar]

he doest really eat anyhting else
i give him veggies
but i havent tried chicken, or tuna yet.

[Opus]

No need to use sulfa blocks.

Get cuttlebone; it's way cheaper. :)

Not trying too be off topic but what does cuttle bone look like?

[SpotsMama]

Here's some info and a photo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttlebone

They are 4" or 5" long. You can buy them in pet stores in the bird section. Birds like them to keep their beaks trim. For turtles, it keeps their beaks trim and, more importantly, provides cheap, good quality calcium.