Ok, so last year around this time i got a little baby red eared slider. He lived in a 10 gallon tank for a while, then from eating fish, pellets, and swimming around a lot, he grew pretty big.
I moved him to a 40 gallon aquarium quite a while ago.
Ok so, one day about a month ago i come him and go in there to watch him and feed him, he is gone.
I look on the floor and there is a spot where it looks like he landed.
I suspect my cats got him out.
His tank was high up so i figured he was dead wherever the cats drug him off.
I spend days searching my entire house except for my room because i thought i had my door closed that day.
So today i went in there to clean out my closet and i almost had a heart attack because my turtle is in there.
I figured he was dead, so i got a cloth and picked him up.
He is alive.
He used to be meaty and healthy. He is SOOO skinny now. I put him back in the tank but he has been out of water for like a month and he is floating near the top. HELP!!!???
2007-12-21 09:31:03 · 21 answers · asked by Heather 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
he isnt dead, he is swimming around and poking his head up but he cant swim down, its like he has air in him or something
2007-12-21 09:50:29 · update #1
There isnt much you can do just wait it out and see if he survives. My sisters got lost for 3 months then came back and looked all sick, she just put him back in his tank and fed him and he had a full recovery, a couple months later he got out again and never came back. Good luck
2007-12-21 09:35:13 · answer #1 · answered by ImWearingAHelmet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your turtle has pneumonia- the classic sign of pneumonia is lopsided swimming.
Pneumonia is tough to treat at home, and a vet's care can really help.
Your home care would include:
1. Boost water temps to 85-90F
2. Keep the water very clean- good filters are best.
3. Use UVB lighting per directions.
4. Keep the habitat quiet and stress-free.
5. Use the fish medicine 'Stress Coat' per directions.
6. Use http://www.redearslider.com to make sure the cares and diet are rock solid.
7. Make sure it has access to good basking sites, and an area of shallower water to rest in.
DO NOT 'dry tank' the turtle- that causes more stress and interferes with healing.
2007-12-21 14:56:02 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually have a tortoise who hibernates each and every wintry climate. he's outdoors and he has somewhat, coated residing contained in the nook of the backyard. he will stay there all wintry climate till it warms up contained in the spring. I even have not had to maintain him heat contained in the wintry climate considering that he grow to be 4 or 5 yrs old. he would be sixteen on Jan 15, 2007. i do no longer be attentive to how chilly it quite is the place you're, i do no longer be attentive to in the event that they are indoors, or outdoors, or how old they are. All of those aspects will make a distinction in what their desires are. i could call a veternarian or some reptile professional in case you will hit upon one and ask them whats maximum suitable on your particular difficulty. solid success to you and that i think of this is great which you adore your turtles such as you do! God bless you!!
2016-11-04 05:52:52 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a glass dish to put on the bottom of the tank. take out most of the water. He is malnurished, and could drown. Give him worms, small bits of cooked chicken, lettuce(not too much, not iceburg). You may have to feed him by hand. As soon as possible get him to a vet that specializes with reptiles tomorrow. . I wish you luck.My slider is 20 years old, if he died, id be a mess. I would make sure his water isnt too cold or hot, he could go into shock
2007-12-21 09:37:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it sounds like your pretty attached the guy, your best bet is to find a vet in your area that you can call or go to that specializes in reptiles. Because of the popularity of reptiles now, there are some out there, but call first, & if they don't ask them. Also see if there is some type of pet emerancy in your area we have one called I think pet911, & your local animal shelters they get exotics once in awhile & usally people that care about pets especially reptiles they are willing to offer advice. Good luck hope this help a bit.
2007-12-21 11:03:15 · answer #5 · answered by Zeus 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call a vet and check around for vets that know about turtles. I am raising my Grandsons turtle and I know he likes to lay on a big rock out of the water and sun with a heat lamp for hours. He may just be sick from no food and water to drink.
2007-12-21 09:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by Mason's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hon - you really do need a vet for this little turtle. In the meantime - the low level water idea is an excellent one keeping in mind that if he lays his head down that there's not enough water for him to drown in...make sure he has heat. Make an appt. first thing in the morning:
http://www.herpvetconnection.com
http://www.arav.org
http://www.anapsid.org/vets
2007-12-21 10:28:07 · answer #7 · answered by prism_wolf 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
take him back out of the water and get him to a vet NOW! If he is alive, he is likely too weak to swim and he may drown
2007-12-21 09:38:31 · answer #8 · answered by dogwhisperer16 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i have six turtles. you should have kept him in the 10 gallon tank. one time....when we didnt have enough money for a tank that we have now, we kept our turtles in a swimming pool in our backyard. (you know...those kiddie plastic pools you can buy at WalMart?)...well our dogs got to them. we found them all but their shells were and mess. bloody and scratched. a big hole in one. we went to the pet store and they gave us this stuff called VitaShell. we rub it in everyday and put them in the sun. they gradually got better. but it took a while for their shells to heal and for them to "bulk up" again. we now have them in a tank inside the house. safe and sound.
2007-12-21 09:37:57 · answer #9 · answered by Hateisvoluntary 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you need to take it out of the water ,and then get alittle water and the let it a just to water and keep give it more and more water to it
in no time he will be better
2007-12-21 09:39:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋