This is going to be a little long...

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Hello everyone,

I am a mommy to two very cute red ear sliders and one of them is sick. Their names are Herbert (the sick one) and Wellington. Right now they currently live in a 10 gallon tank (I'm upgrading to a 20 gallon when I find space in my apt) with the water temperature at 78F and the basking area at 90F.

When I purchased Herbert and Wellington, I noticed that Herbert was a little odd. He would float awkwardly; he would be balancing on his forelegs or swim all sideways. Since we was eating and swimming normally most of the time, I overlooked it and nicknamed him the "special" or "clumsy" turtle. Three days ago, I noticed Herbert was basking more the usual and not eating...I even caught him yawning a few times. After doing my research, I realized he had all the symptoms of RI and I felt really stupid for overlooking it before.

...It's getting to the point where Wellington is starting to outgrow Herbert and it makes me sad looking at him because he looks all dried up under the basking light. Sometimes, Wellington would push Herbert in the water. I like to think it's his gesture of helping him feel better.

I called vets all over San Jose, and only one specializes in reptiles. The only problem is, I do NOT have the money to get a consultation right now. I worry that by the time I get the money, it'll be too late. Are their any overthecounter drugs i can purchase to remedy the situation? Is their anything I can do to get him to eat without the care of a vetrinarian?

Here are the things I have done so far:

-Change the water
-Raise the temperature
-Attempt to handfeed Herbert (wouldn't eat)


...I'm beginning to run out of ideas and it's making me really sad because I did put a lot of effort in raising them. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

-Agnes

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