Feeding and Nutrition :: Fiber foods

[my_manuelita_turtle]

what kind of food that contains fiber can I give to my turtle, she seems a little constipated. Like 2 weeks ago she ate like half of a sulfablock in a period of 3 days aprox. (i hide the sulfblock due to the situation but she kept on finding it and biting it), after that she got constipated. She keeps eating a lot, and swiming and its really active, but there's no waste in the tank.

[Starchick]

Why are you using the sulfa block? From what I've heard they're not really necessary, and if she's eating it I'd remove it. Any of the turtle safe veggies should be good for her, although it seems weird to not have seen any droppings for so long. Is it possible that she's eating the waste?

[my_manuelita_turtle]

Im not sure if she's eating her waste, I dont thinks so, today I was checking her, specially after eating and nothing... The sulfa block, u put it after a 75
% water change, since it has calcium, but I'll never put that again.

[SpotsMama]

Good for you for removing the sulfa. The sulfa blocks are not good for the turtles. If the water is clean, you don't need sulfa (it's an antibiotic). If you use sulfa when it's not needed, the germs will develop a resistance and then, when the turtle is sick and really needs sulfa, it won't work.

By the way, there's another type of turtle block that looks similar to the sulfa blocks but it really is just calcium. These blocks are very effective, however. If you want to give your turtle calcium, go with a cuttlebone.

[SpotsMama]

On foods with fiber - lettuce is great (green leaf and red leaf are best). Also, collard greens and turnip greens are high fiber. Occasional romaine lettuce is good too.

[my_manuelita_turtle]

ok, I'll give her more lettuce. For how long can a turtle be constipated? Before going to a vet.

[SpotsMama]

If you're sure she's constipated, try soaking her in a dish with warm water - 82 degrees or so - for 30 minutes a couple of times a day. That will help her get going. If that doesn't work after a day then I'd go ahead and call the vet.

[my_manuelita_turtle]

I really dont know anymore if she is constipated, because she keeps eating normal, i just dont see any waste in the tank. If she was so constipated she wouldnt be eating right?