What to do if a turtle eats the filter sponge?

Sunil

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Yesterday my turtle ate the sponge of the filter installed in the aquarium I am worried what should I do Since yesterday he looks lethargic although he is eating food but little by little.
 

Noelluene

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That stuff is usually made out of plastic... Depends on how big the turtle is and how much he ate. Like sea turtles eating plastic bags, your turtle could choke on it as well as cause digestion problems. Although it is possible for him to pass it out naturally, I would highly suggest a vet visit if that option is available to you. Make sure to keep the sponge in the filter far away from the turtle in the future.

It would be helpful if you could provide some information of the size of the turtle and how much of the sponge it ate.
 

Sunil

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That stuff is usually made out of plastic... Depends on how big the turtle is and how much he ate. Like sea turtles eating plastic bags, your turtle could choke on it as well as cause digestion problems. Although it is possible for him to pass it out naturally, I would highly suggest a vet visit if that option is available to you. Make sure to keep the sponge in the filter far away from the turtle in the future.

It would be helpful if you could provide some information of the size of the turtle and how much of the sponge it ate.
My turtle is 3 to 4 inches, it has eaten only a small piece of sponge because I just saw it and removed the filter.
 

TammyJ

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It seems to me that you should first, remove the sponge from where he can reach it.
Put him in warmer water, shallow enough so he can walk around in it and you can see if he poops.
Stop feeding him anything else for a few days.
If he gets worse, try to get him to a reptile vet if that is possible.
Please let us know what happens.
 

Sunil

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My turtle may get sick if not given food. I am planning to feed her in large quantities so that the sponge comes out through the defecation along with her faeces.
 

TammyJ

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My turtle may get sick if not given food. I am planning to feed her in large quantities so that the sponge comes out through the defecation along with her faeces.
I would not do that. If there is a blockage due to the sponge, piling more food into her is no good. I would do the warm soak and no food for a few days. But if you have already decided what you are going to do, then what's the point of advice?
 

Mrs.Jennifer

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My turtle may get sick if not given food. I am planning to feed her in large quantities so that the sponge comes out through the defecation along with her faeces.
With all due respect, piling food on top of non-food matter does not help this situation. Moving the piece of sponge out of your turtle can be accomplished by waiting and encouraging defecation. Food does not encourage defecation, but soaking in warm water and vigorous movement does. Your priority is moving the piece of filter. Your turtle will benefit from the passing of the piece of filter more than food at this point.
 

Sunil

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पूरे सम्मान के साथ, गैर-खाद्य पदार्थ के ऊपर भोजन जमा करना इस स्थिति में मदद नहीं करता है। अपने कछुए से स्पंज के टुकड़े को बाहर निकालना प्रतीक्षा और शौच को प्रोत्साहित करके पूरा किया जा सकता है। भोजन शौच को प्रोत्साहित नहीं करता है, लेकिन गर्म पानी में भिगोने और जोरदार आंदोलन करता है। आपकी प्राथमिकता फ़िल्टर के टुकड़े को स्थानांतरित करना है। इस बिंदु पर भोजन से ज्यादा फिल्टर के टुकड़े के गुजरने से आपके कछुए को फायदा होगा।
धन्यवाद मुझे उम्मीद है कि यह सुझाव मेरे लिए मददगार होगा
 

Sunil

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I would not do that. If there is a blockage due to the sponge, piling more food into her is no good. I would do the warm soak and no food for a few days. But if you have already decided what you are going to do, then what's the point of advice?
thanks i hope this suggestion will be helpful for me
 

Sunil

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With all due respect, piling food on top of non-food matter does not help this situation. Moving the piece of sponge out of your turtle can be accomplished by waiting and encouraging defecation. Food does not encourage defecation, but soaking in warm water and vigorous movement does. Your priority is moving the piece of filter. Your turtle will benefit from the passing of the piece of filter more than food

With all due respect, piling food on top of non-food matter does not help this situation. Moving the piece of sponge out of your turtle can be accomplished by waiting and encouraging defecation. Food does not encourage defecation, but soaking in warm water and vigorous movement does. Your priority is moving the piece of filter. Your turtle will benefit from the passing of the piece of filter more than food at this point.
I did not give food to my turtle from last 2 days and kept it in hot water morning and evening, he had defecated only once but from last two days only bubbles i.e. air is coming from the place of defecation. What should I do next?
 

TammyJ

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I did not give food to my turtle from last 2 days and kept it in hot water morning and evening, he had defecated only once but from last two days only bubbles i.e. air is coming from the place of defecation. What should I do next?
Kept it in "hot" water??? What does this mean? Surely you do not have the turtle in HOT water. I think we said WARM water, not hot. What is happening now? If it's still in the water, please take it out if it is still alive, and let us know the situation, with pictures if possible, thanks.
 

Sunil

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Kept it in "hot" water??? What does this mean? Surely you do not have the turtle in HOT water. I think we said WARM water, not hot. What is happening now? If it's still in the water, please take it out if it is still alive, and let us know the situation, with pictures if possible, thanks.
by hot water i mean 32 degree celsius. And my turtle has taken out some sponge pieces too, it's been 4 days do I still have to starve him.
 

Big Ron

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by hot water i mean 32 degree celsius. And my turtle has taken out some sponge pieces too, it's been 4 days do I still have to starve him.
You are not starving him he is a reptile they can go weeks without eating,the larger the longer they can do without food,crocodiles/alligators which is a reptile can have a large meal and not eat for 6 to 12 months,reptiles are much different don't worry making sure you get all the sponge out is more important than food please keep up the warm soak for 1 or 2 more days 2x a day,we would never give you information to harm your little friend all the best from central Florida
 

TammyJ

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I wonder if you can post some pictures of your turtle and his setup? What species of turtle is he? Size, age?
 

Sunil

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I wonder if you can post some pictures of your turtle and his setup? What species of turtle is he? Size, age?
Flapshell Turtle size 4 inch and age i dont know.
 

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Sunil

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You are not starving him he is a reptile they can go weeks without eating,the larger the longer they can do without food,crocodiles/alligators which is a reptile can have a large meal and not eat for 6 to 12 months,reptiles are much different don't worry making sure you get all the sponge out is more important than food please keep up the warm soak for 1 or 2 more days 2x a day,we would never give you information to harm your little friend all the best from central Florida

You are not starving him he is a reptile they can go weeks without eating,the larger the longer they can do without food,crocodiles/alligators which is a reptile can have a large meal and not eat for 6 to 12 months,reptiles are much different don't worry making sure you get all the sponge out is more important than food please keep up the warm soak for 1 or 2 more days 2x a day,we would never give you information to harm your little friend all the best from central Florida
i am trying my best
 

Big Ron

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My Turtle Is Showing No Signs Of Sickness It's The Same As It Was Before Eating The Sponge
he looks healthy but you should get some stuff for his aquarium,rocks,plants and things like that so he can feel more comfortable
 

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