General Care Discussion

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:03 am **Respiratory Infection/Pneumonia question.**

So my turtle, Lily, is recovering from RI/Pneumonia (unsure..). We just got a ReptiGlo basking lamp and is now down to wheezing about once every ten minutes instead of one every two minutes. She however, is unable to swim well, so her water level is still at 1" tall. Her bottom is floating :b
So, one question: She hasn't been eating much, or at all as far as I know. How do I entice her to eat? I don't want to choke her by force-feeding.

Is she kept together with Sunny? Live foods are always worth a try... I would not try force feeding unless instructed by a vet.

No, she is in a quarantine tank (5gal. I know it's not that big e_e ).
Live foods? Hm, haven't tried that. I tried offering her freeze dried shrimp, which she loves, but she just ignores it.
A piece of sunken pellet from last night was gone today. Maybe she ate it?

I realize the basking lamp is attracting flies btw. Any ideas?

Sunken pellets easily dissolve in the water. Are you cleaning the tank/basking area? Are you removing uneaten food?

I am cleaning the tank daily and removing as many pieces of uneaten food as I can see.
She's no longer wheezing and is clear of all symptoms but is still unable to swim properly (floating).

Is she listing to the side or swimming in circles?

Hm, the middle part (idk what it's called. o.o)
UPDATE: The symptoms seem to be rising again after her water temps have been raised from removing a quarter and the basking lamp heating the rest. She has no appetite at all and is constantly lying down with her eyes closed. She doesn't respond to sound or light touches. She retracts her legs into her body when touched but that's all. The sides of her shell are curling, although the basking lamp is now on 15 hours or so a day. (6 AM to 9 PM).
Weird. I don't want her to die

Have you seen a vet? Have you tried the live foods? Try a soak in diluted Pedialyte and leave some pellet crumbs in there, however, she needs advanced care.

I'll try looking for Pedialyte :3
Advanced care? What do you mean?
I haven't tried live foods yet, waiting to get to a pet/aquarium store :3

I mean she needs the help of a vet, there's much that we can't do over a forum.

Her eyes opened yesterday and seems rather OK now. She's getting her appetite back :3 However has a fear of water, when placed in water she would sink and scramble up the basking area frantically. o.o

Bad news :/
When I returned home from school today in hopes of bringing her to the vet immediately, I found her upside down in the quarantine tank.
I have buried her and is now resting in my garden <3
Thank you for your help anyway ,Steve.

I'm very sorry to hear it.

General Care Discussion :: Respiratory Infection/Pneumonia question.

Who is online