Feeding and Nutrition :: My RES doesn't eat

[pilechian]

Hello,

Some days ago it was too cold here and I found that my RES didn’t eat properly. I examined her water’s temperature and I found it too cold. So I changed her place to my private room which is warmer but as it is not too large she can always see me walking or doing my works (may be she’s scared). The night when I did that change she ate properly but after that she didn’t eat properly, just ate a little, and I think that her appetite is in a descending order. I can’t observe any symptom of illness or thing like that (she’s active) but when I feed her, she just eats a little and after that she ignores the food. (I don’t actually know if she’s male or female!).
What should I do and also how soon do I have to bring her to vet?

PS: I know that it sounds foolish! But I don’t know her food’s name. They are very little spherical things with very bad smell! I bought them some months ago and I was told that they will not be expired. Is there the possibility that RES doesn’t eat because her foods have been expired?

[SpotsMama]

What's the water temperature now? How long have you had him/her? How big is she/he?

[pilechian]

Hello,

Thank you for your attention. Actually I can’t measure the exact temperature but at all it is now as it has been in the whole time duration of almost one year which I have had my RMS without any problem. My RMS is about 3.5 inches or approximately same size of the palm of a mature person.

[d0eb0y]

I would definately suggest getting a thermometer so u can know for sure what the water temp is. They run anywhere from $1.50 up to maybe $20. Anything is better than nothing. And there is no way to know for sure the water temp without one. The water may be too cool and therefore your RES wont want too eat and may get sick.
Check here.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/search/s ... ometer&N=2

I would also try other foods. Fruits, veggies. I even heard things about boiled egg whites or even soaking the pellets in tuna water. Something with scent to make it a little more enticing. Maybe even pick up another small bottle of pellets you know for sure what the name and dates are. Reptomin, Nutrafin, etc. Either way goodluck and i hope your turt feels better and starts eating.

[SpotsMama]

Check this out too:

http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

I'd be very suspicious of the water temperature too. We've found over and over that people think they can estimate temperature by the way it feels but that isn't a reliable way. If it's too cool the turt won't eat.

[CountryGirl68]

Knowing the water temp is very important, as RESOwner and Spotsmama have said. An inexpensive thermometer and heater are necessary for your turtle enclosure.

Also, turtles will eat less during winter months but if you don't know what the water temp is, you can't be sure that is why your turtle isn't eating.

[Aliokona]

I wasn't sure if I should post here or start a new topic - I guess if someone doesn't reply soon I'll start a new one?

Okay, so on Saturday, my baby RES stopped eating. He's hatchling, about a month or so old. He's in a ten gallon tank of water, with a temperature of about 80 degrees. He acts perfectly healthy - swims around a lot, doesn't walk or swim lopsided, basks regularly, no sneezing, yawning, or coughing - nothing irregular. Except his lack of appetite.

The only time that he tried taking a bite out of a pellet was when it rolled over his head about two days ago. Then he lost interest in it again.

I've tried soaking pellets in tuna water, that hasn't worked. I don't know what's wrong, or what else to try.

Help?