All Turtles Message Board

tinatheturtle · Guest Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

My boyfriend purchased a grossi map or mississipi map turtle around 6 weeks ago called Tim. He did not however buy a water heater for the tank and the room they kept Tim in was really cold and the water was as well. he became less happy and inactive and yesterday i managed to persuade him to buy a water heater and also a new turtle (called tina) to keep him company. Tina is of the same breed but a different colour. Now tim is floating around the tank and bearly moving at all and looks really unwell. Does anyone know why this would be? Should the change in water temperature be done gradually (tina has had no problems as the pet shop tank seemed as warm as this) Is it tina that is the problem? no wounds have been found on tim tho and Tina is smaller than him?? and what should we do now??

Anyone that can HELP please do asap!
Thanks

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

If he's floating around, it could be a respiratory infection, and since he has been in cold water for a while, I wouldn't be surprised.
As for how to treat it, you'll need to rely on the turtle experts here, but basically the vet is what they'll recommend.

I-LOVE-TURTLES · Level 3 Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 265 Location: My House

It does sound like Tim has RI. Just get him to the vet ASAP!
_________________
3 very funny dachshunds!
1 odd RES

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 378

Try to warm him up alittle... not to warm though.
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Tara Dakota

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

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

Warm the water to 80-85 and get him to a vet asap.