Urgent Care :: Sick turtle?

[CoralAmanda]

I got an RES from PetSmart about three weeks ago. And lately he has been acting sick. His eyes seem swollen, he just sits under the basking lamp all day, he hasn't eaten in five days, he keeps rubbing at his eyes, I've seen him blow a couple bubbles out of his nose, and when I put him in the water he breathed out a bunch of bubbles and floated lop sided. He also use to fight me when I tried to pick him up and he would move around alot, now he just sits there. My vet told me to look out for some of those signs because those could indicate pneumonia. But if he does have pneumonia we can't afford to pay for the vet visits and medication. Any suggestions on what I should do?

[steve]

Are you using a UVB bulb? Is it new? Are you filtering the water? What's the basking temperature? The water temperature?

[penelope]

So...he was eating normally and has now stopped, or was he "sort of eating" and now stopped - basically, was he acting like a healthy guy for a couple of weeks, and now has these problems?
Are the bubbles a one-time event or ongoing? The lopsided swim is concerning.
I am little confused about the vet, though. Did you take him in for a check up when you first got him, or was this the pet store vet?
Don't know your budget - not asking either - but around here (where everything is expensive) it's about $120 for the first check up AND medication. The follow up is $46....so you would be looking at $165.
Just letting you know since some people shy away from vets thinking they will cost a fortune. Of course, to some people $165 is a fortune; for others its manageable. Only you know the answer to your predicament.
I hope the little guy starts feeling better soon.

[CoralAmanda]

We actually talked to my vet; she was on vacation and it took a while to get ahold of her. But my parents agreed to pay for everything and he's being treated for pneumonia. We are also looking into getting new day/night basking lamps, UVB lamp, and heater. Franklin is already starting to act healthier. But thank y'all for replying. (:

[adbritta]

Good to hear!