All Turtles Message Board

mutey · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 1:43 am Post subject: not moving, unactive

hello, two days ago i got two baby red eared sliders, i went to a pet store and the man went to the back room and got two of them, in a plastice container about 13 inches long and 6 inches high. one turtle is very active, but the other usually isnt moving and his eyes are shut. he only opens his eyes when there is sun light. none of them are eating. is this normal or should i worry? is there anything else i should know or be aware of?

dixieee · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:26 am Post subject:

welcome to the board Smile

not eating for the first couple of weeks is ok cz they still feel unsafe, u can try tuna though it should tempt them. do u have the heaters, lights, and UV bulbs?

the turtle with shut eyes has a vitamin D defficiency which they usually get from UV rays. if u can expose him to direct sunlight it'll help a lot. keep them warm also. are the eyes puffy? maybe he would need some drops if UV rays don't do the job

good luck and keep us posted
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

mutey · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 5:16 pm Post subject:

i have a regular lamp over their cage, tiny tim (the one with closed eyes) his eyes look swollen and somewhat puffy. i would put them in sunlight but im in northern california napa valley to be exact and right now we have storms and floodings, at the momment the sun is out so they are out in the sun light moving around very happy. ill try tuna. should i get an auarium or are they fine like that?

Robin_Luver13 · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject:

i would get an aquarium..... the container sounds like a critter cage type thing which is NOT a good home for them..... theres a post thing in general turtle chat about that sort of thing........ yeah, id definitly go with the aquarium if you can get one, i dont know what your budget is....... it is suggested that they have 10 gallons for every inch in diameter the shell is.....

my turtle didnt eat at first either, but i had him under a lamp on our desk in a tupperware bowl sort of thing and i think the next day he started eating when he warmed up and got comfortable.....

turtles are awesome pets, and hope you have fun with yours!!! welcome to the board! Very Happy

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I'm back! Hope I can help...

I love my baby, Robin, an Eastern Painted Turtle

mutey · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject:

well, i dont think its the best thing for them to be in there, and i am looking for an affordable aquarium but i have no idea where to get one. any sugestions or donors?

dixieee · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:56 am Post subject:

check www.craigslist.com

sometimes they give-away aquariums if u only can go pick them up so check if there's someone in ur area or somewhere near

for the eyes, get eye drops from the pet shop and if u couldn't find any, get any human eye drops from the pharmacy but make sure it's ok to use them for pets and rub it gently on his eyes with a clean cloth.

good luck and keep us posted
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

mutey · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:59 pm Post subject:

right now im looking for aquriums and how much they cost. I will look for eye drops too, turtle water drops or eye drops?

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1232

Turtle eye drops are best but that will just soften the eye area. You also need Vit A. Puffy swollen eyes are the first sign of a compromised immune system. VitA will bost the immune system. The turtle will need a warm basking area of approx 90 deg. This can be accomplished in many ways. The simplest being a simple desk lamp with a regular light bulb. You mention a cage but you don't really explain the setup. Turtles need a warm water area as well as a dry part to bask. A sick turtle needs water temps in the low to mid 80's with a basking area of around 90. This is very important to raise your turtles immune system. Think of it as a big dose of vit c for your little guy.

edited to add:A good setup is expensive and for two turtles you will eventually need aprox 100 gal. I recommend you start with a rubbermaid tub. Easy to get started with easy to claen and chaep to up grade. This way you can save your money for a better tabnk or keep looking for a bargain. You also need a filter rated for three times the size of tank you have as turtles are messy, a good heater, UVB/UVA bulb and a good thermometor. So saving on a tank to start with is a good thing.

mutey · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:30 pm Post subject:

all i have right now for them is what the pet shop guy gave me im looking for more. this is what it is. a critter like cage. with rocks, water shollow enough so they can stick their head out of the water. a desk lamp over their cage. That's not a good home for them AT ALL, and im trying to find a better habitiat but sadly i dont have that much money, so i will try to find something more suitable, and maybe find a realative that has an aqurauim thats not being used.

mutey · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:09 pm Post subject:

i checked on them, several times. i noticed that the sick one, his eyes are puffy and the eyelids look like see through. and i put him on top of the cage, under hte lamp. and his eyes opened up and they looks really bright. and he started moving around a lot. i got so happy. but i noticed that a few bubbles came out of his nose, i look at this nose it looks clear, is this normal?sadly i still havt found an aqurium for them. i discovered that an aunt of mine used to have a turtle. so i plan on asking her if she would like them if she can provide for them. Im still trying to find an awurium but i cant seem to find one.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1232

You need to set up something while you work at getting an aquarium. A rubbermaid tub is actually a prefered habitat while turtles are growing and many breeders use them. They are easy to clean and upgrade and are preferable over glass in many ways. But regardless your baby needs something now not later. He needs a warm basking area to boost that immune system. It sounds as though he is to far gone to take care of this by your self any longer and he will need vet treatment with antibiotics and vitamins.

mutey · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:16 pm Post subject:

i was looking at him for a good long while now, and no more bubbles. his eyes are open now, their this cute shade of bright yellow on the outsides. i dont know if that normal. but he is moving around now, with open eyes. i put some eye drops, and put a floating log thingy, and he is usually there now under the light. i called a vet, machine. but i will call again tomorrow. his eyes are open under the light, and he moves around. his eyes are this bright yellow on the outside, and dark greenish or blackish color. is this a good sign ? the other turtle, is walking around, his eys are open, he is very alert. ill move my finger on the outsides and his head will follow. i put some tuna in. to try and get them to eat. i hope it works. ill post a picture of them.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1232

The vet might be able to just prescribe some meds without having to take him in.

I would love to see pics. I am a sucker for turtle babies.

mutey · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject:

how much would it cost? any idea?

mutey · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject:

why is a box made out of glass soo expenisve!?!!?!??! Confused

ima cry..... NOOOOOOOO i must must must must.....get them a good sized tank, make sure they're health is all good, BECAUSE IT MY DUTY AS A TURTLE OWNER AND ANIMAL LOVER! muahaha. im on a hunt for a tank. I'll take any help.

dixieee · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:10 am Post subject:

like deesygirl said, get a rubbermaid. i use one and it's good, cheaper than glass, and comes in bigger sizes.
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1232

And a rubbermaid only costs around $8-10.

Tinnguyen123 · Level 2 Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 53 Location: California

isnt the turtle a baby..? i think baby turtle likes to sleep dont they..? i odnt know anythign >.< ahaha someone disagree
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1 baby albino res/ybs i think its albino..

dixieee · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:30 am Post subject:

an excessively sleeping baby turtle is a sick one
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u