General Care Discussion :: Need Some Help Please

[gt5268]

Hi.I have a question and hope that someone can help me.Okay about 3 weeks ago I gave my 2 red ear sliders that are about 2 years old to a friend to watch them for me while I was out of town.My friend has other red ear sliders as well.I have them back and they look okay but can they catch any kind of sickness from the other turtles my friend has?? To be on the safe side should I give them a soaking in salt water or something like that?? I just want to be sure they are okay and will be okay.
Thanks and hope someone can help me.

[megcornell]

So your two RES were in with the friend's turtles?

That's never a good idea for two reasons. One being disease and the second being how aggressive RES are. If your turtles have no signs of attacks and fighting, consider yourself lucky. As for the illness factor, the only thing you can do is wait and watch for any symptoms. Depending on what symptoms arise will determine what course of action you should take, whether it be a vet visit etc.

[gt5268]

Yes it seems that way.Should I give them a bath with salt water to maybe clean any potential fungus or other stuff?? Thank You.

[Fuzzy Hamster]

Do you have any reason to suspect that they are sick?
Have your friend's turtles become sick?

If not, then they should fine, but you may want to check with your friend just to be sure.

[gt5268]

I don't think that they are sick they look and act the same as always.My concern is I don't know if my friend is as clean as me when it comes to the care of his turtles.His tank looked clean but you never know just how often he may change the water in the tank and be as carefull as me when it comes to my turtles.Let's just say my 2 red ears have been pampered and spoiled since the were little tiny babys.Thanks.Maybe I should not be worried.

[Fuzzy Hamster]

It doesn't sound like you need to be worried at this point. Other than the stress they may have experienced, moving temporarily into a crowded tank, it sounds like maybe you would be best to take meg's advice to 'wait and watch for any symptoms'.

[gt5268]

Thanks to all for your help!! Thank You!!

[TheComputerGremlin]

NO SALT WATER!! That will probably hurt them a lot. As long as your friend's turtles have not had any illnesses, everything should be fine. We suggest you quarantine new turtles from your existing turtles for 90 days before introducing them, but if your friend's turtles were healthy, there should be few problems.

However, in the future, no play dates. If the turtles are different sizes or different temperaments, aggression can arise quickly, so quickly that one of the turtles may become injured without any chance for help.

[gt5268]

Okay thanks.I remember seeing here on one of the forums about soaking them in water to kill fungus or something like that.My 2 guys don't have any fungus they look fine.I am worried as to how clean my friends tank was when my 2 guys were in it.When I picked them up his tank looked clean but who knows how it may have been before.Thanks for your help.

[gt5268]

Hi guys.Now remember I said my turtles were in my friends home for about 3 weeks- they look okay but they seem a bit confused now and one of them vomited.They don't seem to know me.Is this normal?? Maybe they are just stressed out?? Please somone help me.I am a bit worried.Thanks.

[grey goose]

They may just be stressed out. When Beaker was young she would eat her pellets so fast that she would then throw them up!
Try soaking the pellets for a minute or so in a small bowl or cup. If that sort of thing continues, take her to the vet.
It's not a good idea to mix up turts. When I'm away, I'll arrange for someone to come by and feed them......

[gt5268]

Hi.Thanks for your reply.They seem to not know me at all!!! They really seem confused and act like they don't remember their tank at all!! One of them is eating but the other does not want any food at all.Maybe they just need more time to remember everything?? I had no choice but to have them stay at a friends house with other red ear sliders.It hurts me that they seem to not know me after 2 years!!!

[marisa]

gt5268, a salt water bath isn't necessarily harmful (but use aquarium or kosher salt, not plain table salt) and often helps with mild cases of fungus.

Next time try to plan for someone to check in on your turtles if you can. It will be less disorienting for them than moving them back and forth (and safer healthwise). It sounds like they're reacting to the change back to their regular tank.

Don't take their behavior personally. Just give them attention (and an occasional treat) and soon they'll come begging when they see you.

[gt5268]

Thanks!! That makes me feel much better!! Yes I have put into their tank a little aquarium salt.Thanks again!!!

[marisa]

I wasn't really suggesting you use the salt, just telling you that it won't harm your turtles. Some people use a small amount of aquarium salt in the tank to help keep up the water quality. (I never have, though.)