Urgent Care :: Turtle breathing heavily and not eating for 5 days now

[lyleeng]

Hi there,

My turtle thats about 4 months old has all of a sudden stopped eating. I noticed that it stays on the basking pretty much the entire time. I've tried to feed it a variety of foods from turtle pellets, little hatchlings, lettuce, and even shrimp. It refuses to eat anything. It breathes heavily ever so often as if its yawning, it also stretches its neck out and breathes frog like. I've increased the temperature in the water to 85 to try and help its immune system. my basking rock temperature is at about 85. I also have it with 2 other turtles.

Someone please help, what should i do ?

[steve]

Keep him separate from the other turtles and look for a vet. I'd also give him daily soaks -- use a small container and add some unflavored Pedialyte and mix it with water (50/50) then add some crumbled up pellets. Hopefully he'll eat some when he drinks it.

[MadMan00]

i have a RES that is 10 yrs old and is over 7" who showed the same symptoms that you are talking about... we ended up taking her to the vet this evening and the vet said that she had a RI.... they gave her a dose of Baytril and wants us to do a follow up with a specialist vet for further review... my only concern is what we do for her until then?.... we dont want to put her back in her tank for fear of any other issues... if anyone could lend some advice on this... please let me know.

Thanks

[steve]

Usually, it's not one does but a series of them. What's your tank like? Its usually where they feel safest.