General Care Discussion :: One of my turtles just Die :(

[pooccito]

Today one of my 6 RES turtles just dies, he was fine yesterday, even in the morning, suddendly he died, he got stiff in a swiming position, eyes closed, and what I believe it was the penis, sticky out a little bit.

Since last year, the deceased turtle was alone, because it was always biting the other turtles legs, he even tear a piece of another turtle's tail.

I just want to know the cause of this sudden death, if someone know a similar case.

I fed them always, he had his water change every day, twice a day somethimes.

Thanks in advance.

[SpotsMama]

How sad! I'm sorry to hear of your loss!

Perhaps he had a prolapse of some sort. Here's a description of prolapse. Does it sound like what happened to your turtle? In this write-up it says the situations "usually" resolve themsleves - but sometimes they don't.

"There are two types of prolapses: Intestinal and penile.
Intestinal Prolapse

This is most often, but not always, caused by ingested gravel. The gravel is eaten and when pushed to exit the turtle’s system, it becomes lodged in the intestinal tract and, when forced out by the turtle, it exits the body bringing the intestinal tract out with it. Another cause is an impaction in the stomach that is finally released. These are usually self-repairing, as the intestinal tract retracts back into the body once the feces are expelled. If not, see treatment below. And yet a third reason has yet to be determined. Believed to be secondary to an existing condition, it is uncertain why turtles will sometime have these prolapse conditions for unknown reasons, most times, repairing themselves shortly after.




Once this happens, the turtle must be removed from the habitat, as other turtles (as well as the prolapsed turtle itself) my see this as a food item and bite it, causing serious injury and often times, death. It is best to immobilize the turtle to prevent the animal from stepping on it and dragging it cutting it, or even severing it while it walks and/or struggles. Keep the intestines clean and moist with warm water and take to a qualified vet immediately. The vet will assist the animal, sometimes surgically, in returning the intestines to their proper place. At times, removal of a section of the intestinal tract is required, especially if the exposed tract becomes injured. The vet will also suture a purse string to help prevent this from happening again.

Penile Prolapse

This is sometimes secondary to an existing condition, but sometimes it is just one of those things that ‘just happens’. When this occurs, the turtle should be removed immediately if housed with other turtles. I have personally witnessed one being bitten (yes, ouch) by another turtle, even though it was not in a prolapse situation. It is not uncommon for turtles to ‘display’ themselves for short periods of time or times of stressed, so do not be alarmed. At times, when retracting their organs, they may appear to swat or kick at it while it withdrawls. This does not mean they are experiencing a prolapse. If it goes back in, all is good."

[pooccito]

Thanks for your answer, I believe that it has to do with the intestinal one, because somtimes he didn't eat at all, and he was always retracted, and very slow in comparision with the other turtles I have.

I guess that I have to put more attention to my turtles, thanks for your help.

[marisa]

I'm really sorry to hear of your loss. If the turtle was always a little different from the others, it sounds like there could have been a congenital problem as well. When he did eat, what was he being fed? If there were no other symptoms before, the suddeness of what happpened sounds almost as if a blockage were involved.

Again, I'm sorry. Please take good care of your other turtles.

[pooccito]

When this turtle was with the other, his behavior was very violent, it was always biting the others, at the point that the water turn red.

I only fed my turtles with pellets, right now I got this food "SANYU", its from china, becaouse I live in Honduras and the "NUTRAFIN" one was not avaliable anymore.

Sometimes I fed them dry shrimp of the same brand "SANYU".

Thanks for your answers

[steve]

A vet could also preform a necropsy (an autopsy for animals). I'm leaning towards an impaction as well, though many illnesses do not show immediate and obvious symptoms.

[kmichael55]

Did you have gravel in his tank?? If you have any in the other tank you should remove it, it's very dangerous. Sorry to hear about your turtle

[ahguiturtle]

Sorry to hear for yr loss.