Lethargic turtle, one eye closed, wrinkly eyes and nose, PLE
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 2:58 am
Hi! I have a baby red eared slider turtle. I got him last Sept. 29. Then on Oct. 1, I researched about RES and read about fungal infections. I inspected my turtle and I saw indeed some infections which apparently he already has when I got him (I checked his 1st day videos and pictures). He was at first very active but on Oct. 3, he was lethargic and would prefer to always bask. When I place him in the water he would swim towards his basking area. And I really got worried.
I went to the vet last Oct. 4 and the vet said the following:
1. He only weighs 6 grams and indeed he has infection. She suggested betadine wash. Diluted betadine (1 is to 1, water to betadine). Apply the solution all over the turtle's body, rinse then dry dock for a two hours then place him in an isolation tank. Do this once a day until the infection goes away.
2. She cannot give my turtle any antibiotics because he's sooo tiny. That what I can do right now is to make sure that the water is always clean and that there is a separate feeding place for the turtle.
3. She does not recommend UVB lamp and water heater. What she recommends is 5 minutes direct sunlight exposure 2x a day.
Then upon arriving home I noticed that his left eye is closed. But I already started the betadine wash immediately. I also took the initiative to buy pure cod liver oil in soft gel caps. I drizzle one drop on each eye everyday since Oct. 6 until Oct. 10. His infections around his neck healed already however, his closed eyes and nose looked wrinkly to me. And he seemed more lethargic than usual. And he refuses to swim. He just basks all day so I give him lukewarm baths twice a day for an hour or two with his cod liver oil covered pellets. He has not pooped since last night.
I am hesitant to take him to the vet again because she might say the same thing again. Though I already asked my brother to take him later. I live in the Philippines and she is the only herp vet that I found.
I don't want to lose my baby. Is there anything else I can do? I change his water everyday, I give lukewarm baths, he has a regular light on his basking area, I also placed aluminum foil around his place to keep his water warm, I already ordered a water heater (which is yet to arrive) and as much as possible I don't handle him unnecessarily. Oh I also use purified water.
What else can I do? I am desperate.
Thank you!
I went to the vet last Oct. 4 and the vet said the following:
1. He only weighs 6 grams and indeed he has infection. She suggested betadine wash. Diluted betadine (1 is to 1, water to betadine). Apply the solution all over the turtle's body, rinse then dry dock for a two hours then place him in an isolation tank. Do this once a day until the infection goes away.
2. She cannot give my turtle any antibiotics because he's sooo tiny. That what I can do right now is to make sure that the water is always clean and that there is a separate feeding place for the turtle.
3. She does not recommend UVB lamp and water heater. What she recommends is 5 minutes direct sunlight exposure 2x a day.
Then upon arriving home I noticed that his left eye is closed. But I already started the betadine wash immediately. I also took the initiative to buy pure cod liver oil in soft gel caps. I drizzle one drop on each eye everyday since Oct. 6 until Oct. 10. His infections around his neck healed already however, his closed eyes and nose looked wrinkly to me. And he seemed more lethargic than usual. And he refuses to swim. He just basks all day so I give him lukewarm baths twice a day for an hour or two with his cod liver oil covered pellets. He has not pooped since last night.
I am hesitant to take him to the vet again because she might say the same thing again. Though I already asked my brother to take him later. I live in the Philippines and she is the only herp vet that I found.
I don't want to lose my baby. Is there anything else I can do? I change his water everyday, I give lukewarm baths, he has a regular light on his basking area, I also placed aluminum foil around his place to keep his water warm, I already ordered a water heater (which is yet to arrive) and as much as possible I don't handle him unnecessarily. Oh I also use purified water.
What else can I do? I am desperate.
Thank you!