Urgent Care :: Red Eared Slider Gasping

[polize]

Now I know some of you may refer me to another link or website that addresses what you should do when a turtle is gasping for air and is showing signs of a Respiratory Infection... however, I am really lost as to how my turtle came about this.

A little background info, I have 3 turtles all babies (about an inch in diameter). I've had them for about a month and although it doesn't matter at this point, I didn't buy them nor was I really looking forward to taking care of them. They are currently in a 10 gallon tank (I have a 200 gallon tank I used to house Arowana's in in case these guys survive long enough to utilize it) with a UVB and a UVA lamp, water heater @ 78 degrees, and a 20 gallon water filter. I feed them exclusively pellets mostly because I'm not sure if veggies are really feasible for them right now and I am quite the amateur in caring for these guys.

Now for the problem. The medium sized turtle out of the 3 NEVER displayed any signs of RI until literally not 45 minutes before I wrote this. I just did a 25% water change TODAY (2 hours before writing this), added the extra water, dechlorinated it, and made sure the temp was right before placing them in. Then i chillaxed, ran some dungeons on WoW. Once I noticed the gasping (doing it as I type), I called upon prior research of RI's and did some more. I really don't know what happened. I am informed that drafts and cold air can cause it, but it never dips below 60 degrees in my room and it's rare if it ever reaches that. I very carefully tried pumping his legs to see if water would come out but i scratched that idea after being unable to grasp his legs, and after considering how scared he must have been, I quickly put him back in his tank.

I'm all out of ideas. I know RI's can be contagious to the other turtles, but I have no other option to separate the guy other than that hell hole of a container they came in from china town. I know I'm a rookie at caring for these guys, but come on, I'm pretty sure I've provided all that I can for these turtles' prosperity. Taking them to a vet is out of question as they told me he's too small to do anything. I don't want the other turtles to get sick, but the longer I wait this out, the higher the chance of it happening.

I apologize for the long essay, but as you can see, I'm quite concerned for this little guy, and all of them together. It just seems that it all happened... an hour ago. Do RI's happen that quickly? Or do they take time to develop? Am I at fault here? And lastly, what can I do? If theres medicine I'll do what I can to get it, but anything that requires a vet is totally out of question. I can't just throw this little guy away, and ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

[Jeremiah]

It sounds like your turtles are better taken care of than those dungeons.

Don't worry about vegetables yet. Your tank is a little small, but you're doing the best you can given the circumstances...So, you should be okay for now unless there's any fighting. You may also consider a stronger filter, if you can't get a bigger tank. Three RES, even babies, are an impressive bio load in a 10 gallon tank.

RI (at least the gasping) shouldn't come on this quickly, unless you noticed any other symptoms before this. Any lethargy, food refusal, et cetera?

This baby may have been sick with something other than (but similar to) the RI we're used to seeing. Sometimes, hatchlings are just frail and suddenly die from having struggled so long and hiding the illness (which they are hard-wired to do). The fact that these are China Town turtles only increases that possibility. Such situations are never the rescuer's fault (assuming he or she are providing good care, like yourself).

The vet is right in that it's probably too small to do anything. There is no home remedy for RI, or its relatives. For now, all you can do is separate overnight (do you have a plastic tote?), give it warm water and basking areas, and wait a day or two (With daily water changes, of course). By then, you will have a clearer pictures of what's wrong.

[steve]

I'd keep an eye out on other symptoms but I'd suspect the water change might have something to do with it. I agree with Jeremiah. Do bump up the water and basking temperatures (and make sure those temps are measured accurately).

[polize]

Thanks for the advice, and now that you mention it, I haven't really considered "bio load" and all that so I'll have to do more research and maybe move them to the 200 gallon sooner... Either way, I'll take your advice and hopefully things straighten out. He seems to have stopped gasping for air, although I feel as if he is unable to dive under water... All 3 ate like they normally do, and to be honest I almost think I'm in the clear. But you never know. I'll play it safe for now. Thank's!

[steve]

I'd be careful with drops in water temperatures (from the water change) and the dechlorinator. Consider using carbon and leaving the turtle out of the tank while the temps return to normal.