Feeding and Nutrition :: Months Since My Turtle has Eaten!

[Sally's Mom]

Here's the background on Sally:

How big is your turtle? 10"
How long have you had it? 8 years

What is the water temperature? 78
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 75 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? yes
Are you using any filtration? 2 filters- 1 rena XP and 1 Marineland Emporer 280

What is the basking temperature? 90
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? egg crate, made it myself and upgrade and she's had it for years.
Is there a UVB light? yep

What have you been trying to feed it? She used to eat shrimp a lot ( I know, not good) and rosy reds are always in tank. I've tried cooked sweet potatoes, tuna, mahi mahi, boiled chicken, raw chopped meat, kale and basil.
When was the last time your turtle ate? I'm thinking 2 months, maybe more!

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 75 gallon tank
Is the tank near a window? no, but not far either
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? yes, but she's grown up around the kitchen activity, so it's nothing new.

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? lethargic, not basking as often as she did...completely not interested in eating. Sleeps a lot at the bottom of the tank. Eyes look bulgy to me but the vet wasn't concerned.

I first got on this group back in 2007, when I 'inherited' 2" round RES, Sally. I learned all that I could, built a ramp, lights, great filtration, master tester kit, the works. The years have been happy and uneventful.

Then a few months ago, she started refusing food. I always hand feed her. So, I thought, okay, she's sick of shrimp. (I learned from a bad source that shrimp was good...in the back of my head, after researching the boards weeks ago, I thought gout.)

So I get recommended to a good herp vet. She checked out fine. The vet was concerned about her not basking and told me to take her out of her tank and put her under her lights or outside. I've got a perfect enclosure outside with a shallow pool so she can hand out and drink and plenty of shade if she wants it. I check on her every 1/2 hour.

Also in the past weeks, I've been keeping kale and basil (something I knew she always liked), in the tank. I also have been putting some dried crickets and worms, and pellets in the tank just in case.

I've tried cooked sweet potatoes, tuna, mahi mahi, boiled chicken, raw chopped meat...nothing. Well, I got 2 tiny cubes of boiled chicken into her a couple of weeks ago.

She used to be chubby, but now she's thin and that's what's really got me concerned because I don't know how much reserve she's got left.

Can some of the experts please try to rack your brains and see if I've missed anything? She's well cared for, water is always immaculate AND tested. I'm at my wits end; she's a good friend.

Thanks in advance for any advice...even if it's out of left field from your experience.

Donna

[steve]

When did she see the vet? Did the vet only do a visual inspection and no tests (blood, X-ray)?

I'd bump up the water temperatures to 82F. Have you ever taken her outside? I would also give a soak in water/unflavored pedialyte (1:1) and crumble up some pellets in there. She's shown no interest in live prey?

[Sally's Mom]

She went about 3 weeks ago. The vet did a visual and suggested we put her outside and wait to see if things changed. I put her outside every day, so if it's an egg thing (which the vet thought it might be) she could do something outside. Basically she was concerned about her shell and not basking. Unfortunately, I can't really afford blood/x rays, and thought to seek expert advice here. To tell you the truth, I wasn't too impressed this so-called 'herp' vet.

The fish in the tank swim right by her. I will certainly hike the temp, and try the pedialyte. I do keep her in a tub under lights early mornings and evenings. I tried tuna in the tub today, but nothing.

If I have to take her to the vet, I'll have to find a way. Just hoping that something crosses someone's mind. Steve, thank you kindly for your response and please, if you think of anything at all, please write again.

Do you know anything about gout? I had fed her almost nothing but shrimp, besides rosy reds, for a few years.

[steve]

Did she have room to roam around or was she in some sort of container? Hold the fish by the tail and let it wiggle in front of her face. I'm not sure about gout, but a poor diet could take a toll on her.