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This morning, from out of nowhere a turtle picked out a good sized rock (half the size of its head) and ate it. We're all worried sick that we could have an impacted turtle in our hands. But just to make sure, how do you find out if a turtle is impacted?

First off... remove all the rocks from the bottom of the tank. Then watch for the rock he ate to be passed. It shouldn't be a long, long time and when you see it you'll need to get it out as well so he doesn't try the same thing again.

I didn't think mine were eating the gravel until I saw one of them try. Then I figured it was probably the first time. I immediately removed the gravel and for a few months after, I was still picking out gravel that they'd passed. I was amazed at how much they had in them. If he only ate one or two he should be ok. Like Sonja said, make sure to keep an eye out and remove it the moment you see it.

Yeah, I just removed the rocks from the tank and sent the ghost shrimp to the tank to clean what they can, while the turtles are out of the tank and in a container outside having a field day .

jenaero wrote:I didn't think mine were eating the gravel until I saw one of them try. Then I figured it was probably the first time. I immediately removed the gravel and for a few months after, I was still picking out gravel that they'd passed. I was amazed at how much they had in them. If he only ate one or two he should be ok. Like Sonja said, make sure to keep an eye out and remove it the moment you see it.

Yeah, same here too. I removed them from the tank with all the gravel in it in March, and just now taking the rocks out I found some pieces of gravel in the rocks . It amazes me.

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Be extra observant to make sure he is pooping regularly. If you still think he has it in him, you can get a vet to do an X-ray to make certain.

As long as he's pooping, he should be OK. If he's impacted, he'll stop pooping and eventually become lethargic and stop eating. In such a case, he'd need to see a herp vet ASAP.

By lethargic you mean sluggish right? Just making sure.

DanielRES1180 wrote:By lethargic you mean sluggish right? Just making sure.

Yes. Sluggish, less active than normal.

Yes, just wanting to lie around and sleep.

I have seen my trutle have a bowel movement once.

He is still very active, eats like a horse, but I have not seen another movement at all.
I look in the tank for signs but I don't see any pieces, do they disolve rather fast?

I feed him in his tank as I have a filter, should I try feeding him in a seperate container and leaving him in it until I see the movement?

Don't know if you're aware of it, but they do eat their poop if given the chance, and this is what yours could be doing. Some turtles will poop shortly after they've eaten. You could try feeding him in a separate container and see if he does this. Leave him in the water for 15-20 minutes after he's eaten and see if he poops.

Hmm that's a thought I had not entertained although thatvdoes not sound unusual.

From what I remember his one movement i did see looked a lot like a pellet so I would not be surprised if he ate it. Ha-ha.

I will try the seperate container and see what happens.

Thanks very much Marisa!

jenaero wrote:I didn't think mine were eating the gravel until I saw one of them try. Then I figured it was probably the first time. I immediately removed the gravel and for a few months after, I was still picking out gravel that they'd passed. I was amazed at how much they had in them. If he only ate one or two he should be ok. Like Sonja said, make sure to keep an eye out and remove it the moment you see it.

THE EXACT SAME THING ALSO HAPPENED TO ME!!!

My filter doesn't give my turts a chance to eat their poo. It breaks it down so fast that the only thing eating it are the feeder fish.