All Turtles Message Board

wheresamberlee · Guest Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 2

I just resuced a turtle...and I have not seen it eat...What can I do to tempt its appetite...I have included small krill into his diet - based on advice from a vet store empolyee...

He also had a bump around a toenail bud...eventually the toenail fell off...It has an infection in its eyes which I am treating with an antibiotic solution 3 times a day...it has been a week and the eyes have still not opened - one is looking better and the other appears more swollen...could this be why he is not eating - I put the food in front of him...

Help

Fred_and_George · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:49 am Post subject:

I think that is the reason. Sick turtles dont often have very much energy, so he may not want to eat. keep offering him food and treating him as you have been doing. It is also possible, if it goes on for too long, to force feed him with a syringe. You basically coax them to bit it and then squirt liquid dog food into their mouths. it gives them some nutrients, but i would only do this as a last resort and at the recommendation of your vet, as it can be very stressful for the turtle.
My advice is just to keep offering him food. Eventually, he should get hungry enough to eat some of it.
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I love my turtles! Smile

Fred_and_George · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

I think that is the reason. Sick turtles dont often have very much energy, so he may not want to eat. keep offering him food and treating him as you have been doing. It is also possible, if it goes on for too long, to force feed him with a syringe. You basically coax them to bit it and then squirt liquid dog food into their mouths. it gives them some nutrients, but i would only do this as a last resort and at the recommendation of your vet, as it can be very stressful for the turtle.
My advice is just to keep offering him food. Eventually, he should get hungry enough to eat some of it.
_________________
I love my turtles! Smile