She lays under the heat lamp
Help sick tortoise
- Thread starter LeeB60
- Start date
Can you post a few pictures of her in the tub or tank?
She's having a hard time breathing. She just floats. Won't put her head under water for more than a few seconds. Should I do a water and carrot soak. I've tried lettuce, sardines, shrimp and worms. She has no interest in food. I just have her in a tote now, but I'm going to get an aquarium and food and stuff for her tomarrow. So worried
Please post pics of what you have her in at this moment. We need to see what a "tote" is. Do not "explain" it, show us pics.
How have you "tried" the shrimp and worms and stuff? In the water she was in or on a plate? Is she in water right now?
How have you "tried" the shrimp and worms and stuff? In the water she was in or on a plate? Is she in water right now?
she can only eat in water...I've come late to this thread and too lazy to read the whole thing...she needs to be in water 24/7...she is an African Sideneck..they aren't very good swimmers,,, so she needs land and some beach...
She can get in the water or bask. I gave her the food in the water and out. She is having a really hard time breathing. I was wondering if I could put a small piece of shrimp in her mouth to maybe get her started or if it would hurt her or choke her.
If you think she's having a hard time breathing, please don't put anything in her mouth, which may choke her.
Please post pictures of the container she is in now. Thanks.
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I know this isn't good enough, but it's all I have. I've got the tote tipped at one end. I clean it every night. I have been putting her in the bathtub when I can keep an eye on her. She doesn't really like to be in the water. I'm going to petco today to get an aquarium and the right lights and whatever she needs. I'm doing my best. I would love to take her to the vet, but he said she's a tort so no faith in him. The vet retired that I use to take my reptiles to. That's why I keep asking about the carrot soak. I think she has an upper respiratory infection from the way she breaths and the sound she makes when she breaths. Kinda like a baby when it's nose is yucky.
The carrot baby food warm soak can do no harm, and may help her, so I don't see why not! What's the temperature of the water in her container? If it's not warm enough, and she has a UTI, that's not good. As far as food, you could try some koi pellets or turtle sticks from a pet shop. Thanks for your persistence in trying to help her!
Tammy, that's URI not UTI.
I looked up why a turtle is floating and having a hard time diving down and it said a air pocket under the shell. I was getting her aquarium and stuff at petco and mentioned it and they said they had a couple and upped the temp and dry docked them. I think she's been dry docked long enough...from December till about a week ago. I'm going to try to keep her in the water as much as I can. Will do the carrot soak and hope for the best. I am going to keep her a little warmer for the upper respiratory infection. She's a fighter
Her shell is cracking? Can I put olive oil or coconut oil or something on it?
Why are the pics pink and purple? Plain light is better and will help us figure out what is going on.
That coil bulb needs changed out asap, its bad for them.
Before investing in an aquarium, this plastic box would do fine to get her on the road to health first.
The bottom of it is very slick. She needs something with traction so she isn't stressed trying to hold on.
And she needs some sort of hide. It also stresses to be so exposed.
re post #74
Do not pay attention to people at pet stores. And DO the things suggested here in the last 10 days.
That coil bulb needs changed out asap, its bad for them.
Before investing in an aquarium, this plastic box would do fine to get her on the road to health first.
The bottom of it is very slick. She needs something with traction so she isn't stressed trying to hold on.
And she needs some sort of hide. It also stresses to be so exposed.
Have you done this? If you are keeping her head out of the water she is probably thirsty and hungry., How did you offer the food in the water and what was it?
re post #74
Do not pay attention to people at pet stores. And DO the things suggested here in the last 10 days.
I feed her in water. Shrimp, sardines, romaine and kale. She puts her head under water for a few seconds, but Will not eat. I have been trying to do all of it. The coil light is uvb and the red is heat. That's all I had. I bought a basking light today and promptly drop and broke it!
She drinks and puts her head under water for a second or 2
Do you have a CHE? That would keep her warm without the gross pink and purple. Think like a tortoise - where in nature does a tortoise EVER have that sort of light. It could easily be part of what is keeping her sick. Her brain can process normal light; the funky colors could be so confusing that its like being spun in centrifuge and taking her energy away from getting healthy.
