All Turtles Message Board

kandh22 · Level 1 Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Hi, I'm new to this forum
I bought two turtle as pets for my daughter, "slider turtles"
Yesterday I noticed that one of them was behaving strangely.
It's eyes are always closed, it does not move, when I pick it up it would take a BIG gasp as if needed to breath.
I also noticed that there was little bleeding from the mouth,
Please help me, I don't know what to do Sad

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 366

The turtle has a respitory infection and needs to be seen by a vet asap. You will be given antibiotics and shown how to administer them.

RI is caused by the turtle being to cold and having a poor diet. This could have happened before you purchased them. Make sure the water temps are in the mid 70's to 80 and the basking area is warmer. A good pellet diet supplimented with veggies is important. Many times a lack of vit A can lead to this also. I give mine carrot shreads in the winter and dandilion leaves all summer (make sure they are not treated with herbisides or pesticides first).

answer from deesygirl
_________________
Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007