All Turtles Message Board

tmg9671 · Guest Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

Hello. I have a RES which we had him for almost 13 years. Spaz is his name. We found him abandoned in some bushes by someone who didn't want him as a pet anymore. He has been pretty healthy until just recently. His eyes got swollen and he stopped eating. He was still active by swimming (not as much as he used to) and climbing out to bask. But his eyes were closed all of the time. He has gone into hibernation and stopped eating before and we thought this was the same, but it seemed different this time. I finally decided to take him a specialized vet and the vet immediately said that he looked very sick and possibly septic. He gave Spaz a vitamin A shot, an antibotic shot, and tube fed him some formula. (He began to perk up a bit after he got the food.) We are now giving him the shots and tube feeding him at home and he is hanging in there, but it may, unfortunately, be his time to go very soon. Hopefully Spaz will be with us for many, many more years. But in case he doesn't make it, I have a question for anyone who has lost their turtle...What did you do after it died? We love all of our animals and we plan to cremate our cats and guinea pig when their time comes. But what can I do with Spaz when he passes? Thank you for reading. I just wanted to share my story and ask my question. Thanks.

-Troy

maratheartist · Level 1 Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

When our Elliot died in September, we placed him back where we found him. He was abandoned at a lake at a VERY young age. My husband is Native American and suggested it. Your friend's body will be utilized by other animals and will be returned to the earth from whence it came, and his spirit will be back where he came from: nature, where he can play and "eat" as much as he wants.