General Care Discussion :: RIP Wilma...Very Frustrated... (long ranting post )

[Wilmainschool]

So I have not posted on here in a long time because Wilma has been doing great.

However, in August this year, I changed school districts leaving my old classroom where Wilma (redeared slider about 8 in long) was our class pet. Those of you who have been here over a year know my story and her story. I did a lot of research just to make sure she had the right the setup and worked with you guys to make sure everything was the right way. So when I left my school, I made a decision to leave her behind. Technically all her items were purchase with school money that the students raised so she belonged to the kids. My assistant would text me every now and then letting me know how she was doing and such. I started to get really annoyed when they were texting me pictures of Wilma eating pretzels and things like that...cause thats a good idea and very healthy for her apparently (sarcasm). But I left her because the kids loved her.

So last week I get a text that says shes acting really weird and shes been digging and has a small amout of blood coming out her back opening. So i figured maybe this time she IS going to try to lay eggs. Text my assistant to tell her to get a tank with dirt and try that. Next day, I get a text telling me they ended up taking her to the vet and the vet said she had a severe infection. She died about an hour later . I have to admit, Im pretty upset about the whole situation. She wasnt technically mine so I really didnt have a choice in keeping her. But I felt pretty guilty hearing that.

So part two now...My assistant and I discussed getting a new turtle for the kids. Of course I told her I needed to get on here and figure out the best way to go about cleaning everything to make sure it was sanitary for the new turtle. I figured wed have to dump the sand and get new. Wed have to trash the filter pads and get new ones and make sure everything was clean for the new turtle. So I told her I'd get started on ordering new pads and finding out info...Next day I see a facebook post from the teacher that replaced me that they were going to have a turtle naming election and that the new turtle was a boy....WHAT!?!?!!? Wilma has been dead for 12 hours and they already have another??? They couldnt even have changed out the water in that time. So ask about it on facebook and get no response...

This morning I find out from my assistant that not only did they get a new turtle and put him in the same tank wilma had been in (uncleaned), but they got not one but TWO baby turtles!!!!
OMG!!!! Everything Ive read on here says that they dont do well together. and I tell that to the assistant and she says "Well the EXPERTS said it would be ok and they gave us a 2 month warranty!" I ask who the experts are and she said the vet that they took wilma to, and the people at petco said itd be fine to have 2 together. "So they should be fine for now." Yes for now! But what about in 4 years when they are beating eachother up? or they are too big for the tank? I am so frustrated by the whole thing.

I worked so hard to make sure Wilma had everything she needed, 75 gallon tank with ATBA, jello shots, etc. And now everything has just gone down the drain. I had no idea Id be so attached to her but also attached to everything I did for her. At the end of my text conversation with my assistnat i told her, "ok. I guess the EXPERTS know more than everything and everyone else that ive read about online. And I guess as long as the students are happy thats whats important. Good luck." And she responded with "well I guess...the experts have a degree on the subject. Ohh and the kids are happy."

I guess in the grand scheme of things the most important thing is that the students are happy, but seriously??? I would be willing to bet money that it was not an reptile expert vet so...Anyways. Thats all I needed. I just needed to vent. Sorry for the long post. I mean maybe someone on here can tell me it was completely appropriate to stick two baby turtles in a tank where another adult turtle just died from an infection that took her out in less than 24 hours. Maybe that is ok to do. Maybe its no big deal that they put TWO baby turtles together. Maybe im freaking out for no reason...anyone can tell me that?

[steve]

That would get me very upset too. First, I'm very sorry about Wilma... the presence of blood from the cloaca requires immediate attention. I agree a thorough cleaning was a priority as well. What happened to Wilma should also be investigated, but I know that's too late now.

As for putting two young RES together... it's only a matter of time that they will need a huge tank (females) or separation.

[Stefania]

The sign as the presence of blood from cloaca is very important in diagnosis of an infection of alimentary system.
I can try to explain a bit more. All microbes may be divided into:
* conventional pathogens, i.e. those which may cause infection in the previously healthy person
* conditional pathogens, i.e. those which cause infection in those who have a predisposition to infection
* opportunistic pathogens, i.e. those that are usually of low virulence but which will cause infection in the immunocompromised patience
So, the infection of intestine is a strong deep conventional pathogen, as rule, it is a virus in animals.
Because of this case, you need to understanding on sterilization as the complete destruction of all microorganisms including spores, cysts and viruses. Sterilization may be achieved by physical and chemical methods. And desinfection is a process used to reduce the number of viable microorganisms.
In this case you need in a strong sterilization of tank and of all things inside.
May be, you can talk with some one who works in hospital or in vet about serious sterilization of the tank... sincerely

P.s. Sometimes, in this case, it will be better to have your own turtle at home. This crime will be on your colleagues - my opinion. You just can to say them that it is wrong decision.

[kamekichi]

I'm sorry to hear about your class pet, Wilma. I'm still new to keeping turtles, but it seems like a lot of people carry the feeling that they are "easy animals" and don't need much of anything. It sounds like you did the research, worked hard for Wilma, and gave her all you could.

[Mom2RES]

I'm so sorry to hear about Wilma. I remember her story well and how hard you worked to get her the proper living conditions.

Sounds like you're assistant is being snotty. I'd tell her Petco employees aren't experts but sales people. I'm sure most (not all) would say whatever they needed to in order to sale a product/animal. It's their job. If the turtles are less than four inches they shouldn't be selling them anyway.

As for the vet... doesn't sound like someone who knows what they are doing if they didn't advise a good cleaning of the tank.

And I'm not sure I'd agree with the "as long as the students are happy" part. If the animal is not properly cared for, it is not fair to the animal.... happy students or not.

If you feel the little turts are not being properly cared for going forward, I would notify the humane society. Just my two cents.

[AllTheCandies]

First, this is just all around sad and I'm so sorry that this happened.

BUT. Honestly, you need to tell your assistant that he's actually putting the KIDS in danger if the turtle had an infection that bad and nothing was sterilized or gotten rid of afterwards. Seriously. A lot of diseases can pass from animals to humans and visa versa. This is not okay. It's not fair to the two baby turtles who are most likely going to get sick and not show that they are sick for quite a while and it's not fair to the kids who will most likely touch the turtles and potentially get really sick. If your assistant is allowing the turtle(s) to do things like eat pretzels, and then not even bother sanitizing anything, I don't see why he wouldn't let the kids touch the new baby turtles.

[apondfortimmy]

First, this is just all around sad and I'm so sorry that this happened.

BUT. Honestly, you need to tell your assistant that he's actually putting the KIDS in danger if the turtle had an infection that bad and nothing was sterilized or gotten rid of afterwards. Seriously. A lot of diseases can pass from animals to humans and visa versa. This is not okay. It's not fair to the two baby turtles who are most likely going to get sick and not show that they are sick for quite a while and it's not fair to the kids who will most likely touch the turtles and potentially get really sick. If your assistant is allowing the turtle(s) to do things like eat pretzels, and then not even bother sanitizing anything, I don't see why he wouldn't let the kids touch the new baby turtles.

THIS.

I'll bet the parents would be livid if they knew.

And I'm really sorry about Wilma. That's awful. You could, perhaps, let someone in authority know about the situation...?

[marilynm]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm still new to being a RES owner, but when I first found this site I scrolled through tons of posts and came across some about Wilma. May she rest in peace. Especially being new, I don't know why I'm writing such a long post, but here goes.

Having arrived here after purchasing two most definitely illegally sold RES, I was ill-informed, ill-prepared, ill-qualified... I didn't "get it," but how could I when all I had were some "experts" at PetCo who tried to sell me TORTOISE food and a nightlight b/c a heat lamp would "fry" small turtles? After finding redearslider.com, I became aware of how limited my knowledge (and the knowledge of many purported experts) was, and that I'd have to rely on a group of people who did, in my opinion, "get it" to provide a happy, healthy life for two creatures that were now dependent on me. Obviously mine is not a novel experience.

Maybe this is a shot in the dark, but perhaps you could convince your assistant, the teacher, or someone involved in the situation to join this forum or any reputable resource for them to have the epiphany that they'll need help and guidance of real, experienced turtle-owners. Obviously not cleaning the tank following Wilma's death may require more immediate action, but over the long haul, having the tools that helped you might prevent them from making additional mistakes?

I live with my Mom right now (long story, NYC is expensive...) she once said "I had these when I was a kid, you feed them hamburger meat." (!) She thought I was way overly cautious about their strict diet of pellets, "gut loaded" crickets, Anacharis, etc. -- relying on the what will fit in their head rule. The more I tried to explain, the more she perceived me as obsessive and even self righteous.

The only way I got her on board was to literally sit her in front of the computer to read some of what I had read. Even then I was locking up the pellets lol, because she thought I was "starving" them as they would beg.

You obviously committed yourself to doing right by Wilma, and for the time she was in your care, thanks to you she had a happy, healthy life. I hear your concern that in your absence, the people caring for these turtles just won't listen, and I empathize with your frustration - willful ignorance is the hardest thing to deal with, especially where any form of life is at stake. Some people feel like they're being scolded when you're just telling them the truth, and it might resonate more coming from a third party. Either way, I'm so sorry for your loss, and I pray that these new turtles have a chance.

[penelope]

I have to admit, Im pretty upset about the whole situation. She wasnt technically mine so I really didnt have a choice in keeping her. But I felt pretty guilty hearing that.

A) You took her in, loved her and cared for her; so in your heart she is yours.
B) There is absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. It is all on the assistant who was either too immature or too ignorant to listen to your knowledge. I understand the human nature of feeling as if it is your fault, but if the school mandated that you leave her behind, there is nothing you could have done.

I am very sorry to hear that Wilma is gone. I feel even worse that you have to listen to the mistakes your assistant made and the larger mistake being made now.
This current condition is on the assistant. It's too bad that, unlike you, the children are being taught how NOT to care for a pet.
I have seen many suggestions in this thread such as calling the humane society or telling the parents.
A third option: make a simple, clear and objective bullet list identifying the health related issues (infection, non-sterile tank, poor care, etc.) and take it to the school principal. It is too late to help Wilma, but at least you can do something for the new ones (and the kids exposed to them) - like does this assistant even care about washing the children's hands after touching the turtles?

Again, it makes me sad to think of how you must feel about losing Wilma. However, at this point I think all you can do is prevent others from falling prey to the half-hearted care the assistant provides. I do not think that is what the school wants. If they want to keep these babies in the school district, maybe suggest they send them to the biology or other appropriate science teacher at a high-school - basically, any teacher with common sense.