Urgent Care :: Red eared slider. Sick?

[Turtletank347]

Hi. My red eared slider is about two and a half inches long. Haven't measured. Only a guesstimate. I got my turtle from a river about 3 and a half weeks ago. I thought my turtle had a respiratory infection. So, I cleaned out the tank. Put warm water in tank. Moved tank away from all breezes on the other side of the room. Turtle wouldn't eat. Is nibbling now. But spitting most of food out. Puked once. Is swimming only against one wall of the aquarium. Kind of lopsided. I went through a turtle death about a month ago. Can't stand the thought of having another little one die. I am almost out of money. Am willing to go to vet. But I would probably have to be in a very serious situation. I would like to try a home remedy first if possible. My turtle digs in the river rocks too. I fear she might have pnuemonia. Please help. Also trying to eat river rocks. Tank setup:
-10 gallon glass aquarium filled halfway
-Zoo Med small turtle dock
- Exo Terra Light Dome UVB Reflector Lamp x2 UVB
•Exo Terra Repti Glo 13 watt UVB bulb
-Fluker's Clamp Lamp Basking Light
•Exo Terra Intense Basking Spot Baskiing Bulb 75 watt
-All Living Things Screen Cover
-Zoo Med 318 Turtle Clean Filter
-Tetra Fauna Aquatic Reptile Heater (not sure if it works considering taking it back)
-10 pound bag of river rocks

Feeding:
-3 reptomin sticks twice a day (used to be 6 twice a day)
-occasionally some pieces of Fluker's Five Star Treat (freeze dried crickets, mealworms, and river shrimp)

Thank you in advance for your help!!

[googleme]

you need some type of proper substrate for them to eat and they will lose interest in the rocks or in my case the dirt in the basking area, play sand is cheap and good for this. my turts haven't ate my perlite or anything out of the dirt for a while.

for RI i would raise both the basking temps and water temps (about 80 for the water) then i would feed only veggies to try and build up vitamins to fight it off. if it gets worse see the vet antibiotics are the only answer sometimes.

[Turtletank347]

I had gravel. I was afraid my turt would eat it and it would hurt its insides. I thought sand would mix with the water and make a horrible mess. I think he is just trying to eat his poop. And maybe looking for a way out because the tank is too small. I am actually considering ditching the turtle rocks because they collect poop and become slimy. No rocks is so much easier for cleaning. Sand would be so hard to clean. I'm thinking of moving my turt to a 30 gallon Rubbermaid. Thanks for your advice though.

[Turtletank347]

Oh and also, I raised the water temps and my turt won't eat vegetables!!! But I am trying some different kinds so it would be good. I will take my turt to a vet but only if her condition becomes serious and I will call first to see what they are going to do and how much they will charge. I am on a tight budget right now. Considering a lot of homemade ideas for new Rubbermaid. Any ideas on basking area, screen top, filter, or water heater???? Please respond. Thanks.

[darla1699]

Hi. RI is a serious condition that should be treated by a vet asap. I've experienced this 3 months ago. The condition will worsen in just a few days. Better treat it immediately. As many have said in this forum, when the turtle shows serious symptoms it might be too late to treat it.

[steve]

What's the water and basking temperatures? Do you have a water heater?

[Turtletank347]

I have a water heater but I'm not sure it works. The first time I got it, it worked, but it won't do anything now. And I paid like $30 for it. I don't have thermometers in the tank sorry.

[steve]

Pick up a $2 thermometer that sticks to the side of the tank, they're generally reliable. What kind of heater is it? If it's a Stealth, then you can return it for a refund (they have been recalled).

[Turtletank347]

I am not sure what kind. I don't think it is stealth. It just says fully submersible water heater but I will check. Can't now though. I am on vacation.