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Ashley Davis

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Hi Everyone!!!
Last year my Gramma gifted me with a baby three toed box turtle that I named Humphrey!!! He brings me so much joy. Recently he became vitamin A deficient and developed an infection. I’m soaking him in baby carrot food and administering Baytril orally once daily, however, he still is not eating. I’ve tried everything. Any new suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 

wellington

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Hello and Welcome. The meds will keep them from eating sometimes. Keep trying and keep up the soaks. You could try adding baby piedialyte to the soaking water.
 

wellington

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Also be sure he has the proper temps, uvb and humidity. Without that they won't eat and can't digest their foods.
 

Yvonne G

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It's too bad the pictures are out of order. His eyes look great now, now all you have to do is find out why he's not eating.
 

Yvonne G

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come on box turtle people! There's got to be a few of you out there who have some suggestions for Ashley's young box turtle that shows no interest in eating.

To help you understand Humphrey's situation, I'll tell you the story:

6 or 8 months ago, maybe more, I can't remember, I sent Ashley a yearling three toe box turtle. He's set up in an aquarium with a MVB, hiding place, water dish, all the normal stuff. When she first got him, the weather was nice, so daily she would take him out onto the balcony in the sun for his daily water soak. She still soaks him daily, but because of the nor'easters it's now done in the house.

Humphrey's diet was leafy greens, veggies, fruit and the occasional cat food mixed in for animal protein. He had a real good appetite and cleaned his plate daily.

Then about a month or so ago he stopped eating and his eyes swelled shut. Ashley has been soaking him in baby food carrot water and now Humphrey's eyes are open and bright and alert, but he still won't eat.

She took him to a vet last week and they gave her Baytril to administer orally. Today is his last dose.

He looks at the food, but is not interested in eating. She has recently added wax worms for enticement - not interested.

If anyone has any suggestions, Ashley is more than willing to give it a try. She's at her wit's end with this little guy.
 
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ColleenT

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Sorry, it can be frustrating. Has she tried Live earthworms? even if you have to cut them up, sometimes the movement and the smell will tempt them.
 

Eric Phillips

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Hello Ashley and most welcome! What a nice gift from grandma...I think most of us on here think very highly of your grandma so I myself am not surprised by her thoughtfulness. As for why grandma gave you a sick turtle is beyond me(joking)Lol! As for your issue with it not eating, I would crank up the temps in your enclosure and the humidity. Both will help in boosting the immune system and may help entice it to eating. Next, I would try warm misting the enclosure early in the morning and at the same time put in a half a dozen live earthworms and then walk away. I would check back in a minute or so. During the soaks I would start introducing some mazuri or Hikari aquatic pellet food. Even if it doesn’t eat the pellets during the soaks, the nutrients will absorb into the water. During this time I would try putting in a live worm to see if the water will help entice it. You can also try feeding it a pinkie mouse. Pinkies are fantastic for a quick boost. Live black soldier larvae in water soaks are a favorite for my young ones. They are just like worms in water. Personally, I would stay away from meal worms or supers until it starts eating and even then I would give sparingly. Hope it gets to eating soon and best of luck!
 

Loohan

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To avoid A-deficiency, i gut-load superworms with stuff high in carotenoids (moringa powder, green leafy vegs...) and occasionally feed them some.
Baby boxies especially tend not to eat veggies.
Also i make a moringa burger by working as much moringa powder as i can into some organic ground turkey, cooking it gently on top of something like veggies i am simmering for myself, cutting into chunks, and freezing. Occasionally i thaw and offer a chunk.
 

Yvonne G

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To avoid A-deficiency, i gut-load superworms with stuff high in carotenoids (moringa powder, green leafy vegs...) and occasionally feed them some.
Baby boxies especially tend not to eat veggies.
Also i make a moringa burger by working as much moringa powder as i can into some organic ground turkey, cooking it gently on top of something like veggies i am simmering for myself, cutting into chunks, and freezing. Occasionally i thaw and offer a chunk.
These babies were started right out of the egg eating the same diet (with minor adjustments of fruit and animal protein) as was fed to the baby tortoises. So Humphrey is used to eating veggies and greens. That made up the major portion of his diet. The reason he became vit. A deficient was because he stopped eating due to the infection. I like the moringa hint, thank you for that. I have some dried moringa leaves here. I'll package some up and send it to Ashley.
 

terryo

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When ever I have a sick box turtle or a young one who won't eat, I usually feed him ground venison. For some reason they love it. The smell alone entices them to eat. If you can't get fresh venison, then get a can of wellness venison and sweet potato. Start off with just that, and gradually add some mashed carrots, and fruit, then greens and some veggies. Gradually decrease the venison.
 

Yvonne G

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Thank you, Terry! Long time no see.
 
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