Feeding and Nutrition :: my turtle's eating disorder?

[kc]

my turtle is not eating! i've noticed that my turtle stopped eating about 6 weeks ago. since then i've tried different kinds of food. my turtle loved the pellets, tried that everyday, didn't work. then i got some earth worm, didn't work, then feeder fish, didn't work, then lettuce, didn't work. what should i do? my turtle looks very health. water is really clean. constant temperature around 23 24 celsius. i bought those feeder fish 3 weeks ago and now i have to take care those fish too since my turtle is not eating them. is it because of winter or something is wrong with my turtle? this is the second winter that i had my turtle. i got my turtle when she was still a hatchling, and she didn't eat much during the first winter. now this is the second winter and it's about 3 or 4 inches big now. should i be worried or should i just let it be?

[SpotsMama]

Could she be eating when you're not looking?

My turtle would jump through a hoop for shrimp. Another thing I've heard that people use when all else fails is canned cat food. And tuna fish - canned in water! A turtle favorite! Try these if you haven't already.

Some turtles are really slow to show interest in feeder fish so that in and of itself isn't significant. Also, when they are young, a lot of the turtles turn up their noses at lettuce. But if your turtle really hasn't eaten anything for weeks, then he needs to start soon.

[kc]

my turtle LOVED feeder fish; during the summer that is. my turtle basically loved anything that's made from animals, not plants. my turtle loved earth worms, feeder fish, pellets etc. she doesn't like vegetables at all.
i just removed all the gravel on the bottom of the tank. do you think there's any possibility that my turtle's not eating is because she swallowed gravel? even though i don't think she did.

[SpotsMama]

Well, I think it's one of the symptoms. I really hope that's not the case. I suppose an x-ray would tell.

[Hoooneylynn]

I would take it to a vet right away... 6 weeks is a LONG time.. there must be an explanation... she might not be old enough to lay eggs, but what if its egg retention? Is she lethargic? any other symptoms?

[kc]

no, she is not lethargic. that's what's weird about it. if i didn't tell you she hadn't been eating MUCH during the past 6 weeks, and when you see her, you wouldn't tell if there's something wrong with her. she is energitic and curious just like in the summer months. she is roughly about 3 inches so i don't think it's egg retention either. maybe the weather is gotta do with it somewhat? right now it's in the middle of december and toronto is 12 degrees celsius today! usually it should be -12 at this time of the year.
this is her routine everyday:
in the morning, when i wake up, she wakes up.
i drop some pellets in the water(hoping she would eat some) and i leave for school.
i come back home, scoope out the pellets. she bask about 3 hours and dives back in the water.
at night, when i turn my lights off, she goes to sleep.

anyone living in the toronto area have any idea how much a herp vet visit would cost me?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Well,i know that reptiles dont ALWAYS get lethargic when they are sick.They are known for hideing symptoms (i heard).I cant tell you how much a herp vet would cost you in canada,but i know here its around 40$ to 60$ for the visit and extra for any additional exams and medications.

[kc]

okay, i'm going to buy some canned cat food after i finish my exam in 3 days. and if that's not gonna work then i'm going to try to force feed my turtle. dont' worry i won't shavel food down her throat. i'm just going to try to put food in her mouth. if none of those work then i'm going to bring her to a vet. she has lived 6 weeks not eating much i'm sure she can handle a few more days.

[marisa]

Rather than trying to put food in her mouth, why don't you just take her to a herp vet?

[d0eb0y]

yea i would definately take her to the vet if she isnt eating.
try the catfood or tuna. or even shrimp.
eggwhites maybe? if she hasnt eaten in 6 weeks, she really does need to start soon. something dont sound right here. get her checked out.
if something is wrong, she will love u for makin her better.