I posted a while back about a sick baby RES that a family member has and I was helping them out with him. The poor little guy was sick for like 5 weeks, but I am happy to say he seems to be making a big turn around. If you didn't see my first post, he was lathargic and they went to the vet (who did nothing really) then we set up a 10 gallon tank (they were in a smaller critter keeper to start), floating dock, large stones in the bottom, a few fake plants, and a filter and heater. Plus basking lamp. We put the other turtle in this set up, but the little sick one was too weak for that much water, so he stayed in the smaller container where they used a broad spec. fish antibiotic (maracyn I believe) in the water every day for 5 days, changing the entire tank daily. He had swollen eyes, so we used the vitamin A deficiency drops...he started to improve, but then he ate and became lathargic again.... So we figured out that he was still not warm enough. Plus he had been spending time out in the sun daily when it was nice, but for a week or so the weather got cold and wet, so he had had no UVB rays...so they got the UVB bulb. Now he is eating swimming in the bigger tank, eyes open and gets up on the turtle dock and basks! Everythibg seems to be looking up. He still rests more than his "sister" but I think he will be back to normal in no time now.
I'm so happy.
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:25 pm update on sick baby turtle
