Urgent Care :: Advice on soft shell?

[Lindsy]

I think the RES we just got has soft shell.

Back story: My son was given this turtle as a pet, we had no idea how to care for it. So I bought a book, and researched the internet for proper care and tank setup. It's very small - 1.5 inches long. We got it a 20 gallon tank, it has two lights (one UVB and one heat lamp) two dry docks with easy access for basking in both. We also got a submersible heater, a water filter, flat smooth rocks for the bottom of the tank, a cuttlebone, a calcium block for the water, and a few moss balls (those phosphorus reducer things). However, the book I got said that feeing him pellets and baby turtle food was okay for such a small RES. I think that he was just being fed pellets before - but honestly I have no idea. His tank is scrubbed down once a week - and we refill it with treated water about 6-7 inches deep.

The past few times we've cleaned his tank out, I've noticed that the edges of his shell were bendable, around the tail area. I had read that was not all that uncommon in such a young turtle. But this last time (a week ago) I noticed that his belly shell was fairly soft as well.

For the past week we've been offering him green leaf lettuce, carrots, crushed egg shell, and even tiny feeder shrimp dipped in calcium power - and he refuses to eat all of it. He's obviously very lethargic, but still basking several hours a day on both docks.

So tonight I made teeny tiny little meatballs for him. I found the leanest piece of sirloin and had it ground - then I crushed eggshells into a microfine powder, and added a fair amount of calcium powder - then just fried it up.

He ate 4 of these tiny little meatballs and seemed like he was begging for more - so I put a little bit of green leaf lettuce, carrot, and banana in his feeder tank - and he actually tried each of them.

Can anyone offer any advice - or any other tips on how else we may be able to help him. I don't want this turtle to die, it's my son's pet afterall (who is 5, and really way too young to be properly caring for this animal.) I feel like according to all the books and the things we have read online that we are doing everything "right" in terms of care. But, this little turtle is sure stubborn!

[steve]

How long have you had the turtle? A hatchling will have a slightly pliable shell, that should apply to the plastron as well. Has he eaten at all (besides the meatballs)?

I'd say get a a water heater and get the water a consistent 78-80F. Have a UVB light and basking light directly over the basking area. He should bask for a few hours a day. Any change he can get some sun outside? Only do so if he could be supervised the entire time. Look into a good pellet... Baby Reptomin, Omega One or Mazuri. If you want to try to make a snack for him, check the Jell-o shot recipe thread in the Feeding Section.

Welcome to the forum!

[Lindsy]

We've had him for about two months.

His shell was a bit pliable when we first got him, but his belly was hard - now it's very soft, and the shell is far more pliable now.

He has refused to eat anything other then the bag of pellets that was given to us and dried shrimp. There was no brand name with the pellets, so I have no idea if it's a good kind or not. And I know the dried shrimp are just junk food. Up until I fed him the meatballs today - he has refused all the other foods we offered him this entire past week.

He does have a submersible water heater. I just checked the water temp with 2 different thermometers - both read 78. I am trying to get a readout of the basking temp but it may take awhile. We followed the directions on the bulb box though with how far away to set it.

I'll try to attach a photo of his tank set up. Unfortunately - no chance to take him outside, we're in a 3rd floor apartment in a wooded area so our balcony is completely shaded.

I'll order one of those pellets on Amazon tonight.

[steve]

Baby Reptomin or Omega One should be available in most pet stores. If it's warm out, maybe take him to a local park for 10-15 minutes. Or maybe if there is a clean lawn or garden out in front.

[Lindsy]

I hope I did that right.

The light on the right is the UVB light. He spends probably about 4 hours a day (that I'm home to see) on either of those two docks. I'll stop by PetSmart tomorrow and check on the food.

I'm only concerned with taking him outside because of how tiny he is. Plus it's stupidly hot out right now, will it be too hot for him outside? Also - they spray the lawn here for ants and fleas - but, I'm guessing that should take him out in a container - not free roaming?

[Lindsy]

Thanks for the help and the welcome.

The turtle passed away last night. I just went to check on him and he was still in the same basking spot I left him last night. Picked him up and he is not responding to any stimulus.

My son will be pretty upset, and it just sucks since I thought we were following all the rules.

[devilduck]

Sorry for your loss. Turtles from pet stores are sometimes not housed in the best of conditions so the odds may have been stacked against you from the very start.

[steve]

I'm very sorry to hear it