Urgent Care :: Turtle not eating anything?

[Silvermist464]

Hey, I've already asked this question once over in feeding but I'm in nee of some more help. Feel free to go and check that topic out if you like.. It sould be under the same name...

So here's the details.. Skit is a two and a half inch turtle.

The tank is 10 gallons and has a whisper micro 2-10 gallon filter.

His [new] basking area is a small floating magnetic rock.

Also new is the blue playsand I put in the tank.

He has some small vine plants [live] in the tank.

His tank-mate is a Golden Apple Snail.

So he's some of my tutle's history... I caught him, along with another smalled turtle in a pond near a small man made lake near my house. Both were then brought to my house and fed Repto-min pelets. It was less than 1 day before they were eating. At this time, they were both swimming with my gold fish in a diffrent 10 gallon than the one Skit has now. During this time, they did not have a heater or a basking lamp.

Soon, I got a new tank and filled it up with water for the turtles and put it by the window. Soon after, the cat got one of the turtles out and [i believe] pushed it out the window, it never returned.

Next, I took one of the 10 gallon tanks and filled it with sand. I then put a 1 gallon ice cream bucket in the corner. I put the tank in a sunny spot outside. This is where my turtle spent most of the day.

Eventually, it got cold out and I was forced to keep the turtle inside. this is where things went down hill.. Skit stopped eating, refusing even his favorite foods.

I got a new tank, the one he has now, and a basking area and lamp. There has been no sign of him eating. It's been over a month now.

....
If you looked at the other forum, you could see some more information. Please, help me..

[Love of Animals]

What are the temps of his basking area and water? Does he have a UVB light? What is your tank maintenance like? I'm sure you've been told this but here goes, your tank and filter are inadequate. Water quality, temps and poor housing can make them not want to eat. Also most wild turtles have parasites. That could also cause him to not want to eat.

[Silvermist464]

Water is around 70, basking in the upper 70's depending on how long it's been on. The water in the tank is clear, as is thesand on the bottom. When the glass is dirty, I clean it and when the water dirty I change most of it.

[Love of Animals]

Temps are to low for a 2.5 in inch turtle. Water temps should be 78 and basking 85 to 90. Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates cannot be see. So your water may look clear but still be dirty. Can you please show us a pic of your set up? Have you read the basic requirements? It would help your turtle immensely if you do and try to implement changes as soon as you can for his habitat.

[Silvermist464]

I will try to get a picture on, but it will not be easy... Right now my computer is not working and I've been using my D.S. to get on the internet... I might be able to get one on but I would need to do a few things first...

[Silvermist464]

Hey, I got back from school today and I went through my normall routine of picking up my turtle and setting him in the water before I turned my light on. Normally he will swim straight back to his dock but today he just floated a few centimeters off the top of the water. I picked him up again and held him just on top of the water, he still didn't try to swim. So I let go and watched. He floated down to the bottom of the tank and just sat there not moving. He started opening his mouth like he was yawning and then clawing at his head and neck. Soon, I reached down and picked him up out of the water and put him back on the dock...

[steve]

Gradually bump the temps up to 82F and the basking area to 92F.

[Love of Animals]

Do you have a water heater? What type of light are you using for your basking light?

[Silvermist464]

sure, I'll try raising the water and basking temperatures...

[Silvermist464]

Well, he is still not eating but I've been hearing stories of other turtles who have gone 5 months without food. Sorry I haven't been on much, I've had my hand full trying to find my dog who ran away..

[Love of Animals]

Not eating for a couple of days when the environment is correct is fine. But not eating for long periods of time when the environment is correct is usually a symptom of something else. A turtle not eating for 5 months has a problem. That is not normal. Can you answer the questions in Steve's signature and try to post a pic of your turtle along with your habitat? Did you find your dog? I used to rescue dogs. When I found them I would place a report with the ASPCA and the police department. I would then put fliers where the dog was located. Dogs can travel long distances though or people take them away from where they where found, so spread out the lost dog fliers.

[Silvermist464]

No, I havnt found my dog... We've had a sighting recently less than a mile away from our home, but nothing else.

[Love of Animals]

Check any animal shelters in your area. When you do get him back consider microchipping. It's not that expensive.

[Silvermist464]

Thanks.. We've got a new dog now, she's a yellow lab. The on that ran away was a black lab. She's been microchipped. We think she was abused by a previous owner... Just as a shout-out to other people: it is cruel to keep your dog crated over 8 hours a day. Keeping them in a crate makes them shy and skittish. DO NOT DO IT! Sorry, it's just that she's so afraid of small spaces and I think thats the reason... I feel so bad for her..

My turtle's still not eating.. He may have eaten a little the other day, but I'm not sure..

[steve]

Were you able to raise the water temperatures? Did you try the foods on the Entice Eating page?