Sick baby Yellow Bellied Slider...?

Question

In November of 2006 I had purchased 2 baby turtles; a Mississippi map turtle and a yellow bellied slider, and i Have them in the same tank together.. The map turtle is getting bigger, but the slider is staying small and doesnt like to swim much, and hasnt been eating. It just sits on the basking platform. It seems like it is sneezing and has to open its mouth to breath alot. But the map turtle seems to be doing great, loves to eat and swim.... it can even eat small crickets now. What might be wrong with the yellow bellied slider, and why doesnt it seem to have affected the other turtle at all??? please help!

Answer 1

Call or take them to the vet asap.

Answer 2

Your slider will die soon if you don't seek medical help. He's having trouble breathing due to an upper respiratory infection. He opens his mouth to try to get oxygen, but he's not getting enough. Go to your vet tomorrow without delay! Also, it's a contagious condition --separate the two turtles IMMEDIATELY or you'll have 2 very sick turtles.

Answer 3

Yellow-bellies need warmer temps than the hardier map turtle. In fact, they usually don't do all that well in the same tank- maps like moving water, etc.

Boost water temps to about 75-80F and make sure the tank is plenty big and the water is clean.

Try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for more ideas.

Answer 4

if its not eating it could have a cold you need to fined a vet around you to get meds and for it to be check to make sure nothing going on be sides a cold i have seen turtles eat small rocks and little things thinking it was food we had one that eat are money if we left it out.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like an upper respiratory infection. This could lead to pneumonia and death if untreated. Please take your turtle to the vet. He will likely need antibiotics and extra TLC.