All Turtles Message Board

Eschloss · Guest Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

One of my 3 RES babies is behaving oddly. Two days ago, he and his brother stopped eating. After some research, I realized that their tank might be too cold, so I got a heater and boosted the water temp up to 80 (it was around 75 before). His brother started eating normally again, but the guy I'm worried about just swims around the feeding bowl and ignores his food. Here is what he does do when he's in the feeding bowl and I can see him close up. When he swims, it looks (and sounds) like he's burping air bubbles. He was doing a lot more of this on Friday and Saturday, and less so today. He is basking a lot, but so do his siblings. Other than the eating and burpings, everything seems normal. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? These little guys are babies -- I've had them about a month, and I'd imagine they were a few weeks old when they came to me. Please help!! I'm worried sleepless over them.[/img]

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:18 am Post subject:

You can try switching to another type of turtle pellet, or soak the pellets you have in tuna water (what tuna is packed in).
As for the belching, some turtles will let out air while underwater to regulate their depth, kinda like submarines do, it's the bubbles on their nose while they are outside the water that you should worry about, that would be a sign of RI (Respiratory Infection).
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Eschloss · Guest Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks! Absolutely no bubbles coming out nose. This was (it's not happening today) him opening his mouth and letting out what looking and sounded like an underwater burp. Not to be crass, but kind of like what happens if one farts in the bathtub. That, however, seems not to be happening today. I tried to tempt him with some hamburger this morning, and still no interest. I will try the tuna pellet trick later, when I get home. Thanks so much for answering my post!!

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

You're welcome, I hope it works. Very Happy

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Rocky_220 · Level 3 Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 461

I agree with STRAYKINGFISHER. My turtle does that, too, and he seems to be doing fine.
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R.I.P. Steve Irwin

Eschloss · Guest Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

You guys are making me feel better. I know for a fact that my tank water was too cold. Maybe it's taking Baxter a little extra time to get his appetite back. One more question: what about water treatment? Do you guys use anything in your tap water, or is plain tap + filtration + calcium bone safe?

Rocky_220 · Level 3 Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 461

I always add reptile water conditioner to my turtle's water. I use Zoo Med Repti Safe. And, of course, I have a filter.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752597
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R.I.P. Steve Irwin

Eschloss · Guest Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks for the advice. I will stop today and get water conditioner. Rocky is a handsome fellow. His baby pictures look just like my Scooter, Baxter and Dash. I think that they are around a month old now.

babylucifer · Level 3 Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 305

He can't feed because he feels full. Could also be bad intestinal bacteria or even intestinal blockage. Keep him warm and hydrated. Gotta warn you, I lost one to this years ago.

Eschloss · Guest Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Hi All,
I am pleased to report that Baxter is back to his old self. On Thursday (the day before he was scheduled to go to the vet -- he must have heard me on the phone), he surprised me by eating like a champ, and he's been making up for lost time ever since. We did keep the vet appointment on Friday and learned a few good tips that I'll pass along:
1) It's really good to put your indoor babies in a travel bowl out in the sun for 20-30 minutes a day, a few days a week. The sunlight (even if they are in the shade) gives them vitamin D that UVB lamps don't provide in sufficient quantity. If you do this, always take care that predators like birds, cats, etc. can't harm your babies.
2) My vet recommended turning off the infrared light in the evening. He said that turtles eat better if there is a cycle of heat/warmth, just like in nature.
3) If you feed ground beef, cook it, to kill any bacteria or parasites.
4) A lot of turtles like bits of fried chicken
5) Turtle bones don't really do much in the way of supplementing calcium for juveniles. Buy calcium powder, and sprinkle on food. Pile food in corner of bowl (this works only if you feed outside of tank) and put very little water in bowl (to allow powder to remain on food). Turtles will gooble some calcium powder when they eat.

Thanks for all the help you provided!!
Ellen