Hi everyone. I really hate that my first post is about a likely sick sulcata but I felt it necessary.
Saturday I went to a reptile show in Baton Rouge. My boyfriend and I currently own 5 aquatic turtles, so we went to the show with intention of browsing and buying supplies. I have wanted a sulcata for some time but have always put off buying because of the high prices at local pet stores. While browsing the show we find a vendor selling 2month old sulcatas at a decent price. Right off the back my boyfriend buys it for me. Since bringing it home the sulcata has not eaten, nor opened its eyes, and I have not seen any signs of it urinating or pooping. It roams around its living area from time to time (with its eyes closed). But all it seems to do is sleep. I have been reading the forums and understand the likelihood of hatchling failure syndrome. I am also familiar with RI since I have aquatic turtles. At the present time I am very worried for the little guy/gal and I am a bit angry at myself for not asking the vendor/breeder all the questions I should of asked.
Upon reading I found that coil uvb lamps were harmful to sulcatas eyes. Yesterday I ordered an mvb lamp and have turned off the current uvb lamp. I have tried feeding it various things, even fruit, no dice. I have been soaking it 2x a day in warm water 15-20min. Today I soaked it in baby carrot food mixed with water for 30min. It responded, opened its eyes, became alert, wiggled, and even tried to climb out of the dish. I put it back in its area, it roamed around, found a spot under the heat lamp and went back to sleep.
Current setup:
20gal aquarium (I know isn't ideal, but would be temporary)
Cypress mulch (moist)
Humid hide hut
Heat lamp
uvb lamp (now off)
100 degrees basking side / 80-85 cool side
Food ~ Bermuda grass, romaine, some commercial (Even tried banana & strawberry)
Before making a trip to the vet, is there anything else I can do?
Saturday I went to a reptile show in Baton Rouge. My boyfriend and I currently own 5 aquatic turtles, so we went to the show with intention of browsing and buying supplies. I have wanted a sulcata for some time but have always put off buying because of the high prices at local pet stores. While browsing the show we find a vendor selling 2month old sulcatas at a decent price. Right off the back my boyfriend buys it for me. Since bringing it home the sulcata has not eaten, nor opened its eyes, and I have not seen any signs of it urinating or pooping. It roams around its living area from time to time (with its eyes closed). But all it seems to do is sleep. I have been reading the forums and understand the likelihood of hatchling failure syndrome. I am also familiar with RI since I have aquatic turtles. At the present time I am very worried for the little guy/gal and I am a bit angry at myself for not asking the vendor/breeder all the questions I should of asked.
Upon reading I found that coil uvb lamps were harmful to sulcatas eyes. Yesterday I ordered an mvb lamp and have turned off the current uvb lamp. I have tried feeding it various things, even fruit, no dice. I have been soaking it 2x a day in warm water 15-20min. Today I soaked it in baby carrot food mixed with water for 30min. It responded, opened its eyes, became alert, wiggled, and even tried to climb out of the dish. I put it back in its area, it roamed around, found a spot under the heat lamp and went back to sleep.
Current setup:
20gal aquarium (I know isn't ideal, but would be temporary)
Cypress mulch (moist)
Humid hide hut
Heat lamp
uvb lamp (now off)
100 degrees basking side / 80-85 cool side
Food ~ Bermuda grass, romaine, some commercial (Even tried banana & strawberry)
Before making a trip to the vet, is there anything else I can do?