Please help me, I am soo sad...
My red eared slider has been coughing and sneezing for 2 weeks now. I took her to the vet but he just gave me vitamins. She seems to be getting worse. Any advice?
Thanks guys...
2006-12-10 00:35:20 · 9 answers · asked by stuck 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Respiratory Illness (RI) is far-too common in turtles and is usually caused by environmental issues.
Turtles, especially Red-ears, love space, warmth, and the sun. To keep them well, we need to offer all three.
SPACE: Aim for a tank that allows at least 10 gallons of swimming space per inch of turtle.
WARMTH: Water temps 75-80 and basking sites of 90 normally. Boost them about 5 degrees while it has the cold.
SUN: Sun-like lighting including ultra-violet B rays (UV-B) is necessary for good health. Try a good reptile lighting bulb that claims UV-B on the label.
Diet is also important. Use good-quality pellets and a mix of live or frozen/thawed 'fish foods' like small fish, worms, bugs, shrimp, etc. A good diet provides all the vitamins and calcium they need.
Try the excellent articles at http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for other ideas.
2006-12-10 06:46:20 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably a cold, my red-eared slider kept getting one every time I'd move to a different state because of the weather change. When I first noticed it, it was at night so I couldn't take him to the vet so I separated him from the others and put him in a bowl with warm towels and kept putting luke warm water in the towels. You will have to see another vet. They'll probably give her a shot there and prescribe antibiotics for her, and it'll immediately start clearing up.
2006-12-14 06:02:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 4 red eared sliders and all 4 of my turtles started getting the signs of getting sick. I brought them to Tufts University the best vet school in Mass and they informed me that because I was not supplting them with enough UVB light and a good heat source they were getting upper respitory infection's. I got them acouple of UVB light's and storted using Ceramic heat emitors that keep there basking spots at a nice 95 degrees and my turtles are fine now. Make sure you clean there habitat very often because they are messy eaters and they drink the same water that they go to the bathroom in.
2006-12-10 00:51:31 · answer #3 · answered by xxmack675hpxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would probably let it go into its natural environment. True that you will no longer have it, but you know it will be OK. It is apparently not getting something it needs, or getting something it does not need causing it to become sick.
sometimes there are just things that are hard to care for in person, and apparently this is just one of those such cases. i don't claim to know anything about turtles, I just know that being in an aquarium is not what it knows.
If not, then find a reputable vet to take it to.
good luck
2006-12-10 00:37:12 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need a veterinarian with herpetology experience...but the fact that your turtle is still alive means the Vet did something right. Google "Chicago Herpetological Society" and ask them.
2006-12-10 00:44:46 · answer #5 · answered by dogshop@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could find out if there are any more vets in your area that you could go to. your red eared slider could have a cold or the flu.
2006-12-10 05:12:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take your turtle 2 the vet again but a VERY GOOD VET
2006-12-10 00:37:10 · answer #7 · answered by breanna d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
another vet. join a mailing list one www.onelist.com about turtles and ask your question there as well
2006-12-10 00:36:54 · answer #8 · answered by Toni E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think u should call the vet and tell him what is happening to your turtle.
2006-12-10 03:28:38 · answer #9 · answered by Beeba 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋