Urgent Care :: Turtle stuck in filter, breathing heavily and not moving!

[derekintaiwan]

Came home to find my turtle's leg stuck in the filter...he has been submerged for a long time..possibly all day.

He was not moving at all. I gently pulled him out and he seemed to "wake up". The leg that was stuck is a little swolen and his foot is pink at the edge by his nails. Hi throat is really puffed out and his breathing is heavy.

I put him back in the tank on his floater, but he is not moving...just resting and breathing very heavily.

Should I be doing any thing at the moment other than watching? Should I try to pump any water out of him that might have gotten into his lungs?

**Also, I noticed that the underside of his shell...his belly, is turning pinkish. I have him in a tank with other fish and their food is orange/pink turtle/fish food. Could the food be coloring his shell?

[Vtolds]

I would immediately dry dock your turtle in a nice warm area and see if there is any improvement in movement. You may also want to bring him too a vet too be checked.

Did the filters strainer on the intake pipe come off and he got stuck?

[derekintaiwan]

That is exactly what happened. The intake screen is on a long tube that goes almost to the bottom of the tank. There are rocks covering the bottom of the tank. He likes to dig around in the rocks and when he does this it dislodges the intake tube and it pops off...he then gets sucked in...

I really need to find a permanent fix for this problem. =(

[thegrandpoohbah]

I really need to find a permanent fix for this problem. =(

Krazy glue. The cyanoacrylate is safe for fish (and turtles).

[megcornell]

Here is info on what to do if your turtle nearly drowns: http://redearslider.com/major_illnesses_injuries.html

You should look into a vet appointment because most turtles are very susceptible to pneumonia after such a traumatic event.

I'm glad you found your turtle in time.

[Vtolds]

How is your RES doing?

[derekintaiwan]

Good news! He is ok! =)
I dry docked him and kept a close watch. After a rest and the shock wore off, he wanted to swim again. The enlarged throat is back to normal, the pinkish foot is no longer pink, and he is happily swimming around like he always did.

He still has a pink like stain on the underside of his shell, the top of his shell has a faint pink hue in the lines of his shell.

Thanks for all the advice and help everyone! =)

[Vtolds]

Are you going to be hooking the pipe together so it doesn't happen again?

[dekabreak1000]

This happened to my turtle today I was cleaning the strainer it took a claw off and the foot is really swollen she seems ok but I had to leave for work so I haven't had time to apply proper aid I will heck on her after work any advise

[steve]

Just keep an eye on it and decide if she needs a vet but also please fix the strainer as soon as you can.

[dekabreak1000]

I did it's been put back on

[steve]

How is she? What filter is it? Some strainers need to better secured than others.

[dekabreak1000]

Her foot is still swollen and she has a blister but sheens to be alright I'm going to all the zoo tomorrow and see if they have any suggestions or the number for a herpetology vet and the filter is a Fluval 406

[steve]

Poor girl, I hope she has a speedy recovery!

[dekabreak1000]

i dont understand why she was over there they dont usually move to the side of the tank where im working as they usually sit back and watch