i bought a baby painted turtle. it hasnt eaten in weeks and now the shell is getting soft, what should i do?

Question

its from china town in New York (not the most reliable of places) and ive had it for about a month. ive tried 3 different types of food and keep a heat lamp on it during the day...

Answer 1

The soft shell is caused by a calcium deficiency. You need to take your critter to a vet because it will eventually die from it otherwise. You should probably start your little guy out on small earthworms or guppies. Paints generally like those, and even the babies are pretty good at tearing worms apart.

Answer 2

i had the very similar project that you've.. my turtle replaced right into a touch one and also very small. about the size of a silver dollar. Its an fairly comdition observed as softshell that some turtles get. I were given drugs for it. My suggestion to you is to study it on the internet and probably visit the vet?

Answer 3

This is a sign that the basic cares are flawed. Try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for ideas.

Basically, it needs a lot of warm, clean water- 75-80F with a basking site of 90F. A simple heat lamp is probably not doing the temps right. Cool temps are a big no-no.

Answer 4

Get to a vet immediately!

Answer 5

Try going to the vet they seem to know what their doing.

Answer 6

do you have a little pool for it to soak in? you should. that might be why. or you bought it with a disease. hhmmmmm...... you can ask a vet, and dont just give it turtle chow, give it all types of vegetables, tomatoes(theyre fruit) but theyll eat them . hopefully. im sorry. for you and your turtle

Answer 7

do you mean a painted turtle as in it isn't alive? This may be the cause of your predicament

Answer 8

take it to the vet now