My turtle can't submerge and I'm a little pissed, help?

Question

My slider turtle hasn't been able to submerge in about three weeks now. I've read that it is a sign of a respitory infection so I took him to the vet two weeks ago. The vet put him on antibiotics for ten days. He has been off antibiotics for 4-5 days now and still can't submerge. I looked up the antibiotic on the web,cefa-drops, and found out it is known to cure dermatitis in dogs and cats. So I called another reptile vet I found in las vegas area and he isn't available till the 19th. My turtle has been very lethargic the only time he is active is feeding. Please advise cause I think my next step is going to be to SUBMERGE the old vet.

Answer 1

Is it floating hind end high, fairly level, or one side high?

Hind end high is a common after-affect of antibiotics that throw off the balance of the digestive system. It will usually go away as the intestinal flora rebuilds itself.

Lopsided and fairly level are usually one or both lungs- pneumomia.

Sadly, pneumonia is very tricky to cure in turtles- one turtle can 'sleep it off' and another turtle will die with excellent vet care. You should normally have a good herp vet look at the turtle- and I think Vegas has more than two good herp vets.

Try this link for other possible vets in that state: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Info/nevada.htm

In the meantime- it is VITAL that you reduce stresses and problems for the turtle. Review the basic cares and be stone-cold sure you are offering the right temps, lighting, tanks size, water quality, diet, etc. Once those are perfect, try:
- boosting temps about 5 degrees more
- minimizing stress, vibrations, other lights, things staring at the tank, handling, etc.
- adding a UVB bulb

Try this link for a general overview of this medical condition: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medinjuries.htm

Answer 2

i think that you do need to go and see the vet as soon as possible upper resiratory infections are extremly common in turtles and tortoises, but to look on the bright side the fact that he is eatting is a good thing! the common practice with illl or injured chelonians is to very slightly raise the temperature of the enclosure just be sure not to go mad. this is because thay tend to find it more difficult to regulate their internal body temperature. hope this helps