Feeding and Nutrition :: protein

Turtle diets and eating habits discussed here.

Post Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:24 am   protein

Napoleon had to go to the vet today. :( He now has worms, although a very different kind than Moxie had.

Michael took him so I wouldn't have to miss work, and he just called and said the vet told him Napoleon needs more protein. We feed the normal amount of pellets, about half the size of his head every day. I'm a little leery of turning to feeders now, after all the issues we've had with worms. Is giving tuna a little more often okay? I eat tuna about once a month and always give him a little piece, how much is too much?

We love this vet, he's very thorough and has many turtles of his own. I guess the reason he's concerned is that we've had Napoleon more than two years and he hasn't grown at all, and he's relatively small. If he's had parasites all this time, that could be a reason and maybe we'll see a change after his treatment. But I still want to follow his advice just in case. Any ideas of other things I can feed to boost his protein?
Napoleon - Western Painted Turtle
Apollo - Eastern Box Turtle
Moxie - Painted Turtle Mutt
RIP Hercules

Katie

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Post Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:48 pm   

Boiled egg whites and boiled chicken, salmon that comes chunked in the pouch. Rather than overloading on protein, maybe just give him a head-sized piece once or twice a week.
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Post Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:46 pm   

Gut loaded freeze dried crickets are good, provide calcium too.
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Post Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:09 pm   

What does your vet recommend for more protein besides the feeders? Bits of egg white, sardines packed in water are also sources of animal protein. You could try an occasional pinky mouse. I don't give them to my aquatics, but I do feed them occasionally to a woodie I have. The frozen ones from T-Rex have no parasites and are quite small (I have to say I'm always a little sad when I see them).
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