Urgent Care :: Turtle isn't eating

[cmcconvi]

My turtle hasn't really eaten since two nights ago.. I noticed the food I fed him in the morning was untouched. I changed his water two nights ago, and then again yesterday because I was worried maybe something was up with the water. I've fed him his pellets, favorite shrimp treat and some vegetation. He keeps begging for food but when I feed him he either doesn't try to eat it or chews and spits it out. He's still very active and not at all lethargic. I haven't really seen him bask today but seems to like to do that while I'm at work (I've surprised him on some lunch breaks). The temperature in his tank is reading 78, like it usually does. I'll I have is one of those tape thermometers on the side of the tank. He's swimming like he normally does and doesn't keep his mouth open outside of water or have any discharge, bubbles or respiratory noises. He's around 9-10. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[steve]

How big is the turtle? How long have you had him? He didn't eat anything you offered?

[cmcconvi]

He's around 9-10 years old and about 10 inches. I've had him almost his entire life. He just seems uninterested in what I give him or chews it up and spits it out.

[steve]

Might be a female at that size. Do you have a second thermometer to double check? Have you tried any live treats? If you want to continue leaving veggies, can you put it in a veggie clip?

[ljapa]

If he is a she and you have begging but not eating, is it possible she's gravid and wants out to lay eggs?

Here's the page on sexing them.

http://www.redearslider.com/determining_sex.html