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I have two baby red eared sliders for about 2 months now. I have set them up with everything they need, heat, light, basking area, and I feed them turtle pellets and occasionally krill. They both seemed healthy until last nite I noticed one of them was acting strange. I havent seen it eat at all of a couple of days and it stays out of the water for the most part. Every few seconds I see it pushing its neck out all the way and the underside of its neck looks like it fills with air. It kind of looks like it has the hiccups. I am afraid that it swallowed some gravel and he has something stuck in its throat. I took out all the gravel from the tank, and I dont know what to do to help it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

To me, it sounds like normal turtle behavior.

Removing the gravel was a good idea, btw.

Turtles throats will do that... it is very normal. But taking out the gravel is still important to do.

It started breathing the way I described even more now. I dont think it is normal for it, b/c I usually watch them every day to make sure they are okay and this is the first time I have seen it do this. It doesnt want to stay in the water at all, and when I pick it up it doesnt get scared like it used to do. It just seems miserable and too sick to be scared. It doesnt move its legs, just tucks them underneath it and does the weird movement with his neck. It doesnt seem as if it is doing it on purpose but rather like when someone is throwing up, it cant control it. I am very worried, I dont want it to die.

It does sound like your turtle has something wrong. What happens when you feed him. Can he swallow the food? Or does he just refuse to eat?

I would take him to a vet that specializes in turtles just to be sure.

If you really feel something is wrong, then it is your job as it's owner to get it to a qualified herp vet. There's a list on how to locate one under the urgent care section.

I havent seen him eat since 2 days ago, and I have tried to give him food, but refuses to eat. I want to take to him to a vet but today is Memorial Day and everything is closed. I wanted to know if I could do anything to help him until tomorrow when I can take him.

for now you could raise the temps...the extra heat will help boost his immune system. Is he stretching his head out and opening his mouth? or is it just the throat bulging? if your turtle seems more lethargic, there is prolly something wrong and should be taken to a vet.

He is not opening his mouth, just the throat bulging when he stretches his head out every few seconds. Thanks for the temperature tip, I will try that.

how small were the rocks? it could be possible he swallowed some and thats why he wont eat. has he ever eaten any rocks before that you have noticed? I saw my turtle one time trying to eat a rock and that was it for me and rocks...its good that you took them out. As for the throat inflation, thats completely normal.

Some vets have emergency numbers, you can always try that if you are concerned.

Also, keep an eye in the tank. If your turt has eaten gravel, it could come out when he potties. Best to remove them before he eats them again, if that is the case.

The temperature should only be risen a few degrees... around 82-85 F MAX.

Are the 2 RES the same size? Is the sick one heavier than the other? If they can fit a rock into their mouths, they could probably swallow it and it would get stuck in the stomach and intestines, though it's possible for it to swallow way too many rocks.

Try again to see if he's eating - you should probably separate them for now and check for these behavioral changes.

How is the turtle doing?

What were the temps to begin with?

What are you trying to feed him?

My RES just started doing this same thing a few days ago. I know their throats expand when they are breathing but this is not normal expansion and she sticks her head out as far as it will go with each time it happens and doesnt open her mouth. She has eaten 1 pellet since it started but nothing else. She wont go in the water all the way either. She seems very drained. About 3 days ago I found out that my lamp doesnt put out narely any UVB rays just UVA so i just bought an expensive T-Rex Bulb with supposedly the power of 20 UVB bulbs in 1. That was 2 days ago and within 30 minutes of turning it on she went in the water and ate that pellet. Im no expert but in my opinion your light source is the most important part of your setup. You can be giving your turtles all of the vitamin A, Calcium , Protein etc.. they need but if you dont have a proper UVB output its almost as if you didnt feed them at all only it takes a bit longer for them to die. Apparently the UVB provide some form of vitamin D wich is needed to aborb all their vitamins and nutrients. A good UVB output also makes your turtles more active and makes them want to eat. If you took your RES to the vet please post what the vet had to say.

There are a number of things that contribute to the health and well-being of an RES. Lighting is one, adequate space, water temp, basking area, basking temp, and healthy eating are also important.