All Turtles Message Board

kellydanette · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject: respiratory infection?

Ok i was wondering around on the web-site and was wondering about Respiratory infections? What are the signs? Rocky my new RES is about and 1in in shell so I'm not sure just how old he is.

EarthVsJazz · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

Sometimes you can put the turtle up to your ear and actually hear the breathing. If it sounds forced or not normal that is a good sighn. Excessive yawning and or coughing are also good sighns. Also look for changes in eating patterns.

- Ed
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- Buckaroo Bonzai
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kellydanette · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:34 pm Post subject:

well i can't hear anything he just seems lazy and won't eat and I've had him since christmas and the first couple of days he didn't eat so i got him a feeder fish and he loved that but that was it has not really ate since then i have the temps up so i don't think that is it just not sure if it is taking him a lot longer to get comfortable. how long does it take for them to get used to the new place?

dixieee · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:30 am Post subject:

it shouldn't take him that long. is he over-basking? is the shell soft, eyes swollen...? what are the temps in there?
_________________
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

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject:

The temps are water, 80 and the air is 86 the shell seems normal and the eyes seem normal, and now he seems to just stay in the water he's not basking...and still not eating. Should I be worried?

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:05 pm Post subject:

also should i leave his basking light on all the time or do i turn it off sometimes? Where i live it get very cold so i'm a liitle scared but not sure.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1231

The temps are ok but do you have a heater or are you depending on the basking lamp to heat the area? That might be why he is under the basking lamp alot if that is the case.

For a baby ( you said he was 1" ) feeding live foods is not a bad thing and so I would continue if you personally don't mind doing it. Worms and crickets are ok but the bones in the fish provide calcium the babies need for a strong shell so I would recommend that first. They usually don't care to much for veggies at that stage but do offer a tiny piece of romaine lettuce or a piece of shredded carrot. If all else fails you can use tuna but there again it does not have the calcium your baby needs so I would only use it for treats or to soak regular pellets in.

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject:

well i don't think he's one not sure how old he is. He is not basking at all now just stays under water and he won't even eat the feeder fish now so i'm going to try the tuna thing here in justa bit. I just saw in another post about heaters i have the spot lamp with UVA rays and the water heater is there another heater I'm missing?????????

trtlduv · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

Does your lamp have UVb rays as well? If you just have UVa, you'll need to find a lamp with both. If you can't get one right now, you can take him out into the sun (if it's warm enough, it's winter here and way too cold to take Snappy outside).
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kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject:

HAHAHAHA i'm running back and forth between two forums and i feel like i'm following you lol around asking the same questions, do youknow of a special buld that provides both UVA and UVB ray?

trtlduv · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject:

Are you following me? No, I must be following you... I wondered why the questions sounded so familiar!! LOL! I can't afford to pay attention (I spend all my money on the turt!!) The one I have is a reptisun and it provides both UVa and Uvb, just be sure you check the box when you pick one up. Laughing

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shade & sweetwater!

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:50 pm Post subject:

do i need to get some kind of heater for the air...i have the lamp and a water heater, is that it?

trtlduv · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject:

The UV bulbs don't provide heat, do you have a heat lamp for the basking area?
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shade & sweetwater!

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject:

yes i have the basking spot lamp and the air temp is around 86 is that enought for such a small turtle?

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1231

That is fine but it could also be to hot if it is on all the time. If you have a heater in your tank then you can turn off the basking lamp. Your turtle only needs 10-12 hours a day. To much and with out a place to hide and your turtle could be stressed out.

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

well i have only the basking lamp is that enought or do i need the air heater?

trtlduv · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject:

I don't have an air heater (you mean like a space heater?), is your basking light giving off enough heat without it? You have a water heater, right?
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shade & sweetwater!

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

yeah i have the water heat and temps are 85 in water and with the basking lamp the temps are 84to 86

trtlduv · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

That sounds pretty good to me, but like I said, I'm no expert. Laughing

Mostly an enthusiast! It sounds like you'll be ok to turn off the basking lamp at night as long as you have a water heater to keep the water warm.
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shade & sweetwater!

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:11 pm Post subject:

GREAT thank you so much for your insight and help i love this place it is so addictive to just sit here and read post after post

dixieee · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject:

btw, the "air heater" could be any simple light bulb Smile

i'm not sure about the watts though.. Question

_________________
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

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject:

how can i keep the temp stable and turn off his basking light at night, any suggestins?

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

I have my basking area on a timer and the heater plugged into the regular outlet. Rolling Eyes

If I notice that the temps are to low I replace the basking light with a 50w reptile light ( provides extra heat) until the temps warm up where they should be, then I switch back..... I only have 1 lamp set up for a 10 gal. I know way to much work but hey my turts are worth all the stress Razz

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:29 pm Post subject:

what kind of heater do you use? Brand and price?

EarthVsJazz · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:07 pm Post subject:

Alot of people tell you that you can get a water heater pretty cheap. I have a 60watt wich is good for 30-60 gallons of water. I paid 20+ at walmart wich is fine. There are 50 dollar heaters for fish tanks. But scince it only has one function, I figure there all about the same. As far as the need for an "Air Heater" I would use your own judgment. If you live up North (I'm from Florida) and it gets cold. Buy one just to have on hand. If your cold remember that the turtles are probably colder.

- Ed
_________________
Where Ever You Go There You Are.
- Buckaroo Bonzai
http://www.myspace.com/earthvsjazz

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:30 pm Post subject:

my water heater seems to be doing fine temps are good and stable i just need to know what kind of air heater i need if any temps in the air are about 80 degrees so do i need and air heater, i can't turn the basking lamp off cuz that lowers the air to about 70 and i know thats to cold so what should i do or is it ok to have to basking lamp on 24/7

trtlduv · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject:

I'm a little confused by the air heater. If you turn the basking light off and the air above the basking spot is too cool for him, your turt will probably be more comfortable in the water, that is, as long as the water is warmer than the air above where your turt basks. OMG Did that make any sense at all? Neutral

I don't use an air heater at all so maybe I should keep my mouth shut about it!! Very Happy

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shade & sweetwater!

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

I bought a stick on heater , and I have stuck mine to the side of the tank. Razz

When I notice the water temp up near 90 i unplug it and check back in a few hours. Plus I chat with the turtles

they love it

kellydanette · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:59 pm Post subject:

ok well i think i'll be ok then thank you everybody that has helped...now if we can just get him to act ok i'll less streesed its be since christmas and he is still very lazy and very scared