If your turtle shows signs of twitching, then please read my story. I am hoping that it will help others who have a similar problem.
My RES was in perfect health until about 3 months ago. At that time I noticed that my turtle started twitching while she was basking. Over about a three day period it got much worse. I scoured the internet to find out what it might be and I found nothing written by experts on the subject. So, to be safe I took my turtle to the vet. Thank goodness I did. My local exotic animal vet took x-rays and found that my turtle had eaten a small metal clasp that holds those green plants together that are found in fish tanks. Apparently, it had been in her intestines for over 8 months (I still can't figure out how that happened). Throught the bloodwork taken they found that the metal had given her lead poisoning, which caused some neurological problems. Thus, the twitching. She had also shown signs of vision problems. So, she needed emergency surgery. Through the process, what I had found was that the majority of specialty exotic animal vets have never performed this surgery and I was VERY fortunate that my local doctor was able to refer me to the only doctor within a 60 mile radius of my home (the Chicago area) who had performed this surgery many times and I am happy to say that my turtle is doing fine now.
However, it is a very costly and time consuming process. The turtle stays at the vet for at least 3-4 days after the surgery to be monitored and treated for the lead poisoning. Additional blood testing and x-rays are also done after the surgery. Once the turtle comes home, for about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks it is drydocked with low water soakings twice a day. We also had to give her shots of anti-biotics every three days for a 21 day period. You, the owner usually will do this. Not the vet. At the end of the first week to week and a half, the water is slowly raised during the soakings to go over the turtle's shell so it can eat and eventually be put back into it's aquarium. As with any sick person or animal, for the first three weeks, a watchful eye needs to be kept on the turtle. Again, a very time consuming venture.
Additionally, the total cost (for me at least) with all of the doctor visits, medications, x-rays, blood tests and the surgery came in at somewhere in the area of $2000.00. Maybe a little more. However, we could not even consider the alternative as our RES "Tutor" is a part of the family who we love dearly and if she had not gotten the surgery it would have been a sure and painful death for her.
Again, I am writing this in hopes that someone who has a twitching turtle will read it and take the animal to the vet right away for x-rays. While there may be other reasons for twitching, if you love your animal it is always better to be safe than sorry. My RES would be dead now if I hadn't taken her to the vet when I did.
