Turtle help, PLEASE!!!!?

Question

When we were just picking up our pet turtle by the edge of its shell, we were surprised by the softness of the edges!
It freaked us out! Perhaps coz of the lack of calcium it's receiving from its food! The turtle wasn't so active lately as well!

Do you know any natural way of providing turtles their calcium? Perhaps thru any kinds of vegetables or something??

Answer 1

soft huh i say it will make a good soup nah sry joking but take him to a doc just 2 be sure b4 u do ne thing better safe then being sry

Answer 2

The others are right, but also, I have found that when a turtle's shell starts to soften, there are a couple other "emergency" helps that are good to try.

Feeding crickets or meal worms will help, even if you don't dust them with a supplement like Repti-Cal. It seems that when a shell softens, there must be a protein level problem also most of the time. Or maybe it's just the calcium in the shell and "bones"?

Also get the turtle into the outdoors-and natural sunlight as much as possible. The warmth will help it's metabolism gear up, and of course the sun will do wonders for it's vitamin D and calcium levels.

Always be cautious when feeding a high protein diet (crickets and other bugs) because too much will contribute to pyramiding of the shell, which is also an indicator of improper diet.

According to www.sulcata-station.org you could also go to a hardware store and buy plain old powdered limestone to use as a dietary supplement. (*If you visit this site, remember that it is referring to tortoises mainly, however, there is some info on turtles mixed in).

Answer 3

Metabolic Bone Disease / Soft Shell

Metabolic bone disease (MBD), also known as soft shell syndrome, should be of serious concern to new turtle keepers and for those with young RES. It is a serious but preventable disease brought on by deficiencies of calcium and/or vitamin D3. Early cases are treatable but advanced cases may be too difficult to overcome. It is possible that MBD may have incurred other diseases due to poor diet and conditions.

Calcium is an essential mineral throughout the body and in the bloodstream. It is primarily responsible for the hardness and strength of the shell and bones. A lack of calcium in the blood is hypocalcaemia, which causes the body to take calcium from the bone structure, which in turn greatly weakens it. Though it is normal for calcium to be taken from the bones, it does need to be replenished. A young RES grows at a fast rate and will require a good amount of calcium to compensate for this growth. A gravid female should also receive additional calcium.

Ideally, a RES will get calcium through a proper diet of pellets and certain vegetables that contain a usable amount of calcium. A supplement like cuttlebone can also be offered for additional dietary calcium. Vegetables that contain oxalic acid, like spinach, actually block the absorption of calcium and should never be fed to a RES. Foods and treats that contain more phosphorus than calcium should be used rarely or avoided.

Note: The absorption of calcium is dependent on vitamin D3, which is usually obtained through metabolized UVB rays but can also come from a supplement. Direct, unobstructed sunlight is the best source of UVB rays for your turtle.
If these conditions continue, the bones and shell would eventually soften. This critical situation may be revealed where the shell may be soft in certain areas or all around and may appear deformed. Areas of white discoloring may develop on the shell and shell rot may take hold. The RES may refuse to eat or appear weak and lethargic. Tremors and reflex problems can also be symptoms. The calcium in the diet must be quickly corrected and, if necessary, a vet can inject calcium into the turtle. Overall, calcium and vitamin D3 are easy and inexpensive to provide. There is no justifiable reason for it not to be.

Note: Hatchlings do have slightly soft shells that are pliable. While this is normal, the shells should gradually harden within a few months.

Answer 4

It would REALLY help to know the size and species- it makes a HUGE difference in the answers.

For example- if this is a young Slider- NO veggies! High protein diet of live or frozen/thawed fish foods like insects, small fish, worms, krill, shrimp, etc. as well as good quality pellets.

On the other hand, if this is a Softshell Turtle, it would be normal.

Soft shells are caused by several overlapping problems- not enough calcium in the diet AND/OR too much phosphorous in the diet (like you get with hamburger, lettuce, etc.)...

AND usually a lack of Vitamin D3, which usually comes from diet, sunlight (or UVB bulbs), or vitamin supplements...

AND poor general cares- overcrowding, cold water, etc.

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

Answer 5

Do you have a basking lamp for the turtle to bask under? If not, then this could cause the turtle's shell to turn soft. As for the food, the previous answer listed the ones that provide the calcium your turtle needs.

Answer 6

Here are some calcium rich foods in order of how much calcium they have. (foods with the most on top.)

food serving size

collards 1 cup
roselle 1 cup
lambsquarters 1/2 c
papaya 1 med
turnip greens 1/2 c
coriander 1/4 c

Answer 7

lots of carrots romain lettuce and super worms and hamburger meat

Answer 8

check this website

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/aquaticturtles/f/feedingturtles.htm