So my boss has two turtles, and one of them is not doing well. He has gotten very lathargic and drags some of his limbs. (I repeating what he told me this morning). He apparently just lies on the bottom of the tank. My boss was asking me if he should take him to a vet or what. I don't know much about turtles. I've been trying to get my boss to upgrade to a bigger tank, and stop using ditilled water. I know that both of the turtles have shell rot. So, what should I suggest to him? Hopefully he'll start listening to me.
Sick turtle???
- Thread starter Lspooky4
- Start date
Sounds like this problem is past me. Bring the turtle to the vet. If the vet he brings it to doesn't "do" reptiles, they will know who does.
God Speed.
God Speed.
Hi, I'm new here.
I have two florida river cooters that are 5 years old. I find they can tolerate less than perfect water. Does your boss have a heat lamp and filter, and a place for them to rest?
I have two florida river cooters that are 5 years old. I find they can tolerate less than perfect water. Does your boss have a heat lamp and filter, and a place for them to rest?
I will bet that he does not have a UV light that is unfiltered by plastic or glass... that is usually the first problem people have with turtles... these lights need to be replaced every 6 months...
catfish said:
Yes, distilled water is a no no, what kind of turtles are they?
heres the link to the topic about distilled water:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7941
They are red eared sliders. He does have a heat an UV lamp with only a metal mesh inbetween them. He has a dock that they can get up onto right below the lamps.
It's been awhile since I've kept a red-ear, but from what I remember shell rot can be caused by dirty water and vitamin defficiency. It can lead to infection if not taken care of. A vet can give you a cream for the turtles' shell that will help heal the rot.
Red-ears are messy eaters and big poopers, good filtration and water changes are very important to keeping them healthy.
I used to buy a little turtle shaped block thing with vitamins and minerals to put in the water, but I can't remember what it was called. Also, dust any food fed with a suppliment for reptiles and if feeding crickets to turtles be sure to gut load them.
UV light is also important for turtles. Back in the day, before I could afford the proper light for my turtle, I would take her out daily in the summer for "walks" at the park near my home. During other times of the year she would bask on the window ledge in my room.
The also need heat to help them digest their meals, so make sure they have a place to bask or a heat rock on they dry part of the tank. In my first apartment I would put pans of water out over the heat vents in the floor (to help with humidity in winter) and I would find my turtle sitting in them when I got home from work!
You know, looking back, for a red ear she sure liked to get out and explore!
Red-ears are messy eaters and big poopers, good filtration and water changes are very important to keeping them healthy.
I used to buy a little turtle shaped block thing with vitamins and minerals to put in the water, but I can't remember what it was called. Also, dust any food fed with a suppliment for reptiles and if feeding crickets to turtles be sure to gut load them.
UV light is also important for turtles. Back in the day, before I could afford the proper light for my turtle, I would take her out daily in the summer for "walks" at the park near my home. During other times of the year she would bask on the window ledge in my room.
The also need heat to help them digest their meals, so make sure they have a place to bask or a heat rock on they dry part of the tank. In my first apartment I would put pans of water out over the heat vents in the floor (to help with humidity in winter) and I would find my turtle sitting in them when I got home from work!
You know, looking back, for a red ear she sure liked to get out and explore!
i have had very good luck with boosting the temp. of the water to about 84 degrees and add sulfa blocks to the water. sulfa blocks are those little white turtle shaped stones. any lfs should have them. get the ones made by tetra. they will disolve in the water. filteration is very important. it has almost always worked for my turtles.