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Strange Turtle Poop

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:48 pm
by TomGirl
Yesterday I noticed some strange dark green and orange stuff that resembled chipped paint in my turtles tank. I cleaned it up and didn't think anything of it.

Today, though, I fed her and she pooped. There was regular pea colore goopy poop and those dark green paint chip things again.

What the hell is this?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:07 pm
by TomGirl
Okay, after closer examination, I can tell you now that they are smooth and flexible like plastic.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:16 pm
by DavidY
Is she eating any plastic plants or some decorations in the tank?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:24 pm
by Safdar
Check any fake plants for nibble marks and missing leafes

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:52 pm
by marisa
What do you have in the tank with your turtle?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:08 pm
by steve
Could also be pieces of silicone from the tank. If its not organic, then it is from some decorations.

PostPosted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:18 pm
by TomGirl
There aren't any plants or anything decorations in the tank, just a brick, a little water and a filter 'cuz she's being dry docked. And the silicone doesn't look jagged or like she's been chewing on it.

She has been laying a lot of eggs this summer. And before a few years ago, I haven't seen her lay anything. She's 13.

It's just so strange. I've never seen this before.

PostPosted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:35 pm
by steve
That is very strange. How long has she been dry docked? Is it possible she's been eating her waste and this keeps going through her system?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:47 am
by marisa
What kind of veggies are you feeding your turtle?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:27 am
by TomGirl
None. She only eats the Reptomin floating sticks, and maybe a some kale, but she doesn't like anything but the sticks. And I won't feed her live feed because I'm afraid of worms and parasites.

She just finished eating. I'm waiting to see what comes out of her this time.

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:29 am
by untsmurf
Why don't you post a pic of your setup that way we can get a better idea of what we are dealing with. Maybe there is something that you aren't considering...

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:32 am
by DavidY
It sounds like undigested plant leaves to me.

PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:39 pm
by Safdar
Hes saying he doesnt have plants

A picture would be nice

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:16 pm
by TomGirl
There's no way she eats her own poop. I do a water change every day, I don't feed her in the tank, and she doesn't go back in the tank until she poops.

I fed her two or three times since, and nothing weird has appeared, so maybe she's okay now. I saved her "stool". I'll take it to the vet.

Do you think it has anything to do with the eggs she was laying? Like some type of excretion like after birth or something of that nature?

I'll take a pic when I get my camera back. My friend had a car accident and she needed to borrow it. But it's just a smooth brick for basking on one side of the tank, 3" of water, and her filter on the other side.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:19 pm
by TomGirl
When I find out what it is, I'll post it just incase it happens to one of your turtles and it turns out to be something serious.

I'm also going to ask the vet if I can terminate the dry docking. Her shell is healing (slowly but it's healing) and I'm sick of keeping her in such an environment.